We will give you information and advice on how to enjoy good health during pregnancy and help you prepare for the changes a new baby brings in your life. We will also begin to complete the Family Health Assessment which helps us provide the best possible care for you and your family. Health Visitors offer help and bereavement support at such difficult times.
We are available to advise and support you, your partner and your family through this happy but often challenging period. By working closely with you, your family and other professionals we can help ensure your baby gets the best start in life.
Your Health Visitor will see you and your baby 10-14 days following the birth. This visit takes place in your home and will include an examination of your baby. We will provide parenting information and post-natal care.
Contact will continue in the early weeks through home visiting or at a clinic and at regular periods until your child starts school.
You may also at times be seen by other members of our health visiting teams, these include registered staff nurses and health visiting assistants.
Every parent and child has access to a universal programme of preventive health care. These contacts will be recorded in your Personal Child Health Record (Red Book). Don’t forget your Red Book when attending these appointments. We will discuss any concerns you may have at this or any other time. These concerns could include parenting, nutrition, breast feeding, toileting, dental health, behaviour management, child development and preparation for school.
We can offer help and guidance on many issues as your child goes through school, for example behaviour management, parenting, bedwetting and asthma.
Health Visitors work as part of a team who provide support and can give information on your child’s particular condition, including benefits, support groups, health services and education needs.
We can offer information and literature on a range of health and social issues, including smoking cessation, alcohol abuse, domestic violence, mental health, exercise, family planning and men’s health and/or refer you to appropriate agencies who can give additional advice and support.
Having twins’ triplets or more brings multiple joys to families but also multiplies the challenges they face, both practically and emotionally. The Southern Trust and Twins trust charity work in partnership to ensure that families with multiples receive the support they need to thrive. A dedicated advisory Health Visitor is available to provide information and support to families with twins or multiple births, which is addition to the routine Health Visiting service and is available from pregnancy through to school age. The Twins trust specialist Health Visitor can also provide advice and support to other healthcare professionals working with families of multiples.
You can contact the Twins trust specialist Health Visitor directly or ask your Midwife or Health Visitor to get in touch on your behalf. To contact the Twins trust Health Visitor email Twins.HealthVisitor@southerntrust.hscni.net or call 07979 164920. The Twins trust website is an excellent source of information and advice and can be found here Twins Trust | Twins Trust – We support twins, triplets and more…
Henry is an eight week programme aimed at young families with children aged 0-5 years. It is an early intervention for young families to promote and enhance a healthy lifestyle.