Health Visitor

jackyann

LondonDiva wrote: »

Bear in mind that there is a significant shortage of HVs across the country - especially if you're in a city.

I know it's really because of the cuts (and of course, it's very difficult to do a good job when you are stretched very thin) but wonder if anyone would want to do the job with some of these comments!
More seriously, I hope no new mum is put off seeking help by them.
These women's experience is valid of course. So is mine, and the box full of thank-you notes.

QueenieB

My HV knows that she is welcome to visit my house any time, so long as she remembers to bring a court order with her. There are good reasons for this, they just aren't the sort of things you'd want to post on a public board. Even before it was made quite clear that she should never darken my door again, I never deliberately sought her out, because if I felt that if I had any concerns about my baby then he should see a doctor.
If you have a good Hv and you want to see her then that's great, but if you don't then there is no legal obligation for you to do so. My third child has never seen one, and no boxes have ever been ticked in a little red book for him. He continues to thrive anyway.

jackyann

I am not dismissing anyone's experience, but I remain concerned that new mums reading this will have a very negative view of Health Visitors, whose job is to support them & be a resource.
For information: a Health Visitor is normally much more knowledgeable about child development, health & other aspects of child care than most doctors - whose expertise is normally in illness.

barbiedoll

I work with several H/V's and like Jackyann says, there are good and bad, the same as doctors, nurses and midwives. (And mums, come to that!)

If you're lucky enough to have a healthy, happy baby, then you won't be too bothered about H/V appointments. If, however, your child has any kind of problem, a good H/V can be a useful contact point, she will be able to advise on hospital referrals, she may point you in the direction of outside agencies if required and she could also be useful if you have housing issues, domestic violence problems, or health problems yourself.

Our H/V's have recently diagnosed umbilical hernias, tongue-tie, eczema, and numerous developmental problems.....all of which were missed by midwives and doctors!

LondonDiva

jackyann wrote: »

I know it's really because of the cuts (and of course, it's very difficult to do a good job when you are stretched very thin) but wonder if anyone would want to do the job with some of these comments!
More seriously, I hope no new mum is put off seeking help by them.
These women's experience is valid of course. So is mine, and the box full of thank-you notes.

The cuts have obviously made an impact, but there's always been a shortage as there are not enough of these very specialist posts and if they can get paid the same out of a city with lower living costs, guess where the preference would be?

olgadapolga

jackyann wrote: »

but wonder if anyone would want to do the job with some of these comments!
More seriously, I hope no new mum is put off seeking help by them.

jackyann wrote: »

I am not dismissing anyone's experience, but I remain concerned that new mums reading this will have a very negative view of Health Visitors, whose job is to support them & be a resource.

I am very worried about some of these comments as I am due to start my HV training on Monday!

bylromarha

Recently heard of a good HV - she advised my friend to eat lots of cake to get her milk flowing.

Only piece of realistic helpful advice I've heard a friend report from a HV after 7 years of being a mum...

jackyann

Well, olgadapolga, you have some food for thought!
I wish you luck.
It is not an easy job, as you see, and you will learn that there are not 2 sides to every question, but hundreds!
I'm not going to hi-jack this thread to talk about the families I KNOW I have helped, because I didn't want to appear disrespectful to mums posting here; but you need support too!
You will be helpful to families, and more so if you have some of theses experiences detailed here in mind.
Some of them will thank you, some will be unable to; some will always equate you with a distressing time in their lives & want to "forget" you, some will stop you in the street 30 years later to say "thank you" again.
I could only ever do my best.

pigpen

olgadapolga wrote: »

I am very worried about some of these comments as I am due to start my HV training on Monday!

LOL... Should we give you a catalogue of things NOT to say?

I was 17 when I had my oldest.. my first experience of a HV was her asking.. Did it hurt? Giving birth? ...

jackyann

So Olga, first lesson:
One woman will say: !I never got to talk about the birth, I really wanted to talk it over with someone....."
Another will say "nosy cow, asking me!"
This goes for every question you are likely to ask!
Working out which approach works with which woman, whilst ticking the Government's target boxes is your lifetime challenge........