HV home visit
2 answers /
Last post: 23/03/2023 at 7:00 pm
I had a new health visitor come round last week and she mentioned that for my next antenatal appointment that she would need to have a look around the house. I don’t have any problem with this but I found it strange. My midwife is trying to rush me out of my parents house as she has a problem with the cat litter tray (which is going to be out of reach when my firstborn starts crawling). So I feel like my midwife has maybe raised a concern. Do the midwives or health visitors have an obligation to tell you if a concern has been raised or can they keep this from parents?
Hi Leona
Thank you for posting.
I wonder if you can explore this with the health visitor before her next visit to help understand whether this is a standard request for all parents in the area. Different areas do sometimes have different policies for example some trusts will ask parents permission to look at where baby sleeps to help identify any possible risks around safe sleeping. This is always done with parents permission as health visitors are guests within families home and we do not have a statutory rights so you can always say no if you do not feel comfortable with this.
It may also be worth speaking with the midwife around her concerns with the cat litter. As a Health Visitor myself there are many homes I visit with cats and cat litter boxes and although as a pregnant lady we would advise about the risks of the cat litter due to Toxoplasmosis - NHS (www.nhs.uk) . However this does not mean on it's own that we would expect parents to move out or even to remove the cats - so I wonder if the midwife would be best to explain this further with you on what her concerns are and her rationale.
Are you wanting to stay with your parents or do you feel you would be better to stay? Every family's situation is different so it should be your choice where you feel you would be best to live with your new baby.
Do you feel you could contact your health visitor to explore some of the things mentioned above before her next visit?
I hope this has helped you in some way and you are able to clarify with the HV and MW about this further.
All the best
Emma
Health Visitor