Quick Question... why do you have an HV?

[seoj]

I know they are a Health Visitor... but WHY? LOL.

I'm in the states and I have an OBGYN and a Primary Doctor and my LO has a Pediatrician that I go to for her check-ups etc... but is an HV someone you HAVE to have come to your home or is it optional?

Inquiring minds... Thanks Ladies

 

[Siuan]

They're funded by the NHS and are there to be support for a new Mum in their own home after the birth of a baby. In my opinion, the home visits are great because the last thing I wanted to do in the first couple of weeks was go out to see them. Much preferred them coming to me.

They're not medically trained, just trained in baby health/welfare issues and are able to provide links to specific types of support that the new Mum may need (breastfeeding support or PND for example). They give advice on many different issues too. Such as bathing, feeding, weight etc) a typical HV visit will include weighing the LO.

A lot of people think they're there to check up on new parents and make sure their home is safe etc. This isn't their main function, but if they had any major concerns they would pass the information onto the relevant people. From questions my HV asks me I think they're definitely on the look out for PND more than anything else.

They're not compulsory, but they are highly recommended. I missed an appointment with my HV for our 8 week visit (I forgot about it... whoops!) and when she phoned to re-arrange she decided not to bother coming again because I'm really not having many issues at all. We've agreed I'll take LO into clinic next week (another highly recommended thing, but not compulsory) where similar checks to the home visits take place. The clinics are run by HV's and are a complementary service to the home visits.

I hope that helps?

 

[bump#1]

Good point. Only ever seen mine once. What is the point if they hardly visit.

 

[seoj]

Thanks for the info! I just see lots of posts about HV (not all very positive)- and just made me wonder what their main "function" was. We don't have them here.

I can certainly see why having someone come to your home could be helpful... I got all the same support after my LO was born, I just had to go to them. I had a lactation specialist I would see and my OB for that checkup and my LO's peditrician. But they were always SO great and helpful and encouraging- I didn't have any issues making the trips

Thanks again!

 

[Siuan]

Thanks for the info! I just see lots of posts about HV (not all very positive)- and just made me wonder what their main "function" was. We don't have them here.

Yes, they are a controversial service. The problem I'm sure is due to them not being medically trained and yet giving advice on medical issues sometimes. Also due to the lack of training quite a lot of what they say/advise is their own personal opinion. Which if it is conflicting with the Mum's opinion can cause friction. A lot of them seem to be very forceful in giving their opinions too which of course is not particularly helpful to an already emotional, hormonal new Mum who is already doubting themselves.

The misconception that they are a watered down version of social services (coming to check on child safety rather than just to offer support) makes some people see them as a threat/intrusion too.

I do think if HVs had better training there would be less of these issues, but I still think they're a valuable service!

 

[seoj]

Thanks for the info! I just see lots of posts about HV (not all very positive)- and just made me wonder what their main "function" was. We don't have them here.

Yes, they are a controversial service. The problem I'm sure is due to them not being medically trained and yet giving advice on medical issues sometimes. Also due to the lack of training quite a lot of what they say/advise is their own personal opinion. Which if it is conflicting with the Mum's opinion can cause friction. A lot of them seem to be very forceful in giving their opinions too which of course is not particularly helpful to an already emotional, hormonal new Mum who is already doubting themselves.

The misconception that they are a watered down version of social services (coming to check on child safety rather than just to offer support) makes some people see them as a threat/intrusion too.

I do think if HVs had better training there would be less of these issues, but I still think they're a valuable service!

I can TOTALLY see that point... I'm guessing, just like with any "health" professional- there are great ones and not so great ones! I've heard some horror stories about some pediatricians as well. I was lucky to get recommended mine and he got fantastic reviews from my friend AND my OB- and lucky he wasn't booked as he is usually so busy he can't afford to take on new patients! The other people I've seen in the office are great too though... but I know that is not always the case. Regardless of training! I've experienced it personally in the past as well. Never fun!

Thanks again Appreciate it.

 

[Amyface]

They're not medically trained, just trained in baby health/welfare issues and are able to provide links to specific types of support that the new Mum may need (breastfeeding support or PND for example). They give advice on many different issues too. Such as bathing, feeding, weight etc) a typical HV visit will include weighing the LO.

All health visitors are nurses or midwives beforehand. You can't train to be a health visitor, you train to be a nurse or a midwife and then it's an avenue you can take from there - extra exams etc. There are talks at the moment, apparently, the start HV courses at uni though so you would then just be trained straight as a HV.

 

[Siuan]

They're not medically trained, just trained in baby health/welfare issues and are able to provide links to specific types of support that the new Mum may need (breastfeeding support or PND for example). They give advice on many different issues too. Such as bathing, feeding, weight etc) a typical HV visit will include weighing the LO.

All health visitors are nurses or midwives beforehand. You can't train to be a health visitor, you train to be a nurse or a midwife and then it's an avenue you can take from there - extra exams etc. There are talks at the moment, apparently, the start HV courses at uni though so you would then just be trained straight as a HV.

I stand corrected! Apologies - I genuinely didn't know that! So take back my training comments above then. Perhaps it's more to do with the training having been a while ago for some and therefore out of date?

Interesting..

 

[deafgal]

In the U.S. They have social workers (who are also nurses) who come visit new moms as well. But mostly if you are on WIC program (depending on the state) and such. I had one with my firstborn, but for some reasons, it freaked my mother out and thought I done something wrong as they are also known to visit people who got called on for neglect and abuse. I kept explaining to my mom that it is what I requested when I applied for WIC and other gov't programs. I don't think she really believed me because she never heard of such thing but oh well -- She can be paranoid like that, and think it has something to do with me being deaf . Anyway, the social worker no longer visited me because she told me since I moved, I am not in her district area and I will have to reapply for a new social worker. but I never did.

 

[NewlyMarried]

They must cost less to the nhs than a doctor and I think that their role is to check things are going well, weigh baby and provide links to other services so i think it just saves taking up a doctors time with non medical conversations.
Mine only came once but my impression was that they would come more if they felt there was a need or you asked them to so they are used where needed.

As for the negative comments i think its like everything - we only really post when theres a problem - sure the majority of people didnt have any problems with their hv
xx

 

[Springflower]

HV are Also used more if there has been complications. Ling story short I gave birth to my girls 11 wks early, sadly both my girls caught a hospital super bug and I lost Marnie at one month old. Two weeks later we nearly lost her sister too. We finally got out of hospital and I have had a HV visit every week. I'm very nervous/worried/teary and they really reassure me. Honestly without knowing the HV is coming every week I dont know what I would do. I do think I've been particulary lucky though.

As a previous poster said they are all trained nurses. There are some nursery nurses but they usually make it clear they aren't qualified nurses.

I haven't been pressured at all with things, in fact my HV encouraged me to co sleep if it made me relax a bit more etc. But tbh Im not a "regular" new mum so know the advice I'm getting is a little different.

 

[seoj]

HV are Also used more if there has been complications. Ling story short I gave birth to my girls 11 wks early, sadly both my girls caught a hospital super bug and I lost Marnie at one month old. Two weeks later we nearly lost her sister too. We finally got out of hospital and I have had a HV visit every week. I'm very nervous/worried/teary and they really reassure me. Honestly without knowing the HV is coming every week I dont know what I would do. I do think I've been particulary lucky though.

As a previous poster said they are all trained nurses. There are some nursery nurses but they usually make it clear they aren't qualified nurses.

I haven't been pressured at all with things, in fact my HV encouraged me to co sleep if it made me relax a bit more etc. But tbh Im not a "regular" new mum so know the advice I'm getting is a little different.

Ah hun... big hugs I'm certainly glad your experience with your HV was a positive one and you had extra support.

 

[SabrinaKat]

We have them here in Ireland as well (I refer to her as an HV, but she's actually a Public Health Nurse), which was a new concept for me as well, being from the States.

She's come twice in four months -- once when Finn was three weeks old (I think that appointment is obligatory) and then again last week -- I asked her to --mainly because I was supposed to take him to a consultant paeditrician appointment and as I felt there were no issues (he was premature due to my pre-eclampsia), wanted a second opinion before I cancelled the appointment. She was very happy with his progress, his developmental was on target for his chronological age (and gave me some good tips on increasing his enjoyment of tummy time) and gave me some information about other services. She was here for over half an hour and therefore, reassured me as a first-time mum that he was happy, etc.

He'll be seen next week for his four month vaccinations next week (I delayed as he seemed off with his food during the heat last week) at his GP's surgery, so again, if I have any issues, etc....will ask...

Seoj-- usually here, everybody sees a GP (or nurses at GP's surgery), paeditricians like we have in the USA are usually consultants associated with hospitals and are more common for specialist care, e.g. my LO was born early, etc. Therefore, the system of district nurses (UK), HV (more modern name in the UK) or public health nurse (Ireland) developed to help within the home, e.g. so a diabetic didn't have to go to hospital or GP's surgery, but could be seen at home or a new mum doesn't have to travel in the first few weeks, etc.

best wishes