Social Worker Home Visit

hopmeup · April 2012

Ok - just found out that all newborns in our county must have a home visit by a social worker usually 5-7 days after birth. They bring a scale, check bedding and even want to watch you breastfeed!!! Does anyone else have this where they live? Or is it just our crazy county?

Tennis Chick · April 2012

I had not heard of this....I don't think our county does this or I would get seriously pissy over it. The last thing I'd want when family/friends are visiting is a random stranger stopping by to judge our home conditions.

hopmeup · April 2012

NC - I think it is completely ridiculous! I am just imaging when she shows up at my house and asks to watch me breastfeed. Yeah, right!

MrsBarkel2B · April 2012

That sounds weird and makes me nervous especially after that poor woman got shot and someone stole her baby. Make sure that's for real and have others with you when she comes.

Tennis Chick · April 2012

What happens if you say no?

BabyMakes 3 · April 2012

I would definitely research this. I've never heard of anything like it. Maybe you could contact the city hall or something to find out? Yikes!

opbosco · April 2012

Not sure where you live but I dont think they can legally force you to do that. if a social worker comes to your door you do not have to let them in unless they have a warrant. That is the law. Quite frankly its a violation of privacy.

clydeisme · April 2012

That sounds crazy!! I could maybe see that happening to someone but only if their past were an issue.

asulilly · April 2012

Is this required? What if you just say "no thank you"?

hopmeup · April 2012

I looked it up on line after a friend of mine (who just had a baby) told me about this visit. The County Department of Public Health is responsible for this in our area and apparently it has been in place for 4 years. I will find out absolutely everything I can beforehand (including what happens if I say no) because this rubs me the wrong way.

ChristinaDawn · April 2012

In my county there is a home health nurse that can come out within the first week to monitor weight and help with any breastfeeding issues. This is optional though. We did take advantage of this last time because DS was so tiny when he was born and we had issues with breastfeeding in the beginning so I welcomed the additional support. But again it was our option to do it if we wanted to it wasn't mandatory.

QuiltinMama · April 2012

I'm very surprised by all of the negative reactions to this. Studies have shown that home visits early in the first month decrease hospital stays in the first year. It's not like CPS is coming to your house. They're trying to help. Keep your mind open!

Malka7997 · April 2012

That's kind of scary. I would call your children's division and ask about it. Do you have a parent that lives outside your county or someone that you could just say you live with? I do know here in Mo if you don't have a pediatrician chosen by the time you give birth the hospital will call social services. I didn't know that until my SIL was in the hospital getting ready to deliver 2 months early. She had yet to determine who she was going to use.

If it is true and you plan on denying it make sure to contact an attorney beforehand. Those people do not hear no very nicely and can make your life horrible if they want.

LollyBug18 · April 2012

QuiltinMama:
I'm very surprised by all of the negative reactions to this. Studies have shown that home visits early in the first month decrease hospital stays in the first year. It's not like CPS is coming to your house. They're trying to help. Keep your mind open!

I'm kind of thinking this too...I mean, it's sad but there are plenty of homes and families out there that probably shouldn't have a baby in them. I think it'd be a good thing that someone was looking out for baby's best interest in case mom and dad aren't. I understand it's a little strange especially to have someone come in and watch you breastfeed but that's exactly what a lactation consultant will do in the hospital. And you may need the help when you get home, I had to go to an LC our 2nd week and if I hadn't, I wouldn't have made it past that week. Not everything is meant to be an insult or invasion of privacy. Some it can actually help you or, in the case of a poorly suited home, help the baby. All that being said though, definitely find out as much as you can about the whole thing.

rcbuko · April 2012

QuiltinMama:
I'm very surprised by all of the negative reactions to this. Studies have shown that home visits early in the first month decrease hospital stays in the first year. It's not like CPS is coming to your house. They're trying to help. Keep your mind open!

I agree. It is standard in other countries (who have lower infant mortality rates) for this to happen. I think it's awesome that the county recognizes that a follow-up visit from the hospital may help out some new parents. I don't see it as an infringement on privacy but instead as a tool in becoming a more prepared parent.

Jena503 · April 2012

I'm really shocked that they do this. My MIL actually used to do this... in the late 1950's and early 60s!

She said she used to cry over some of the conditions she witnessed (the extreme poverty, suspected spouse abuse when brand new mama has a black eye, etc), but she felt it helped people and gave them a chance to ask questions and get real answers not just old wives tales. Of course, this is back when there weren't even a lot of books about babies, let alone the internet.

karencz · April 2012

Tennis Chick:
I had not heard of this....I don't think our county does this or I would get seriously pissy over it. The last thing I'd want when family/friends are visiting is a random stranger stopping by to judge our home conditions.

Yes That's nuts!

karencz · April 2012

LollyBug18:

QuiltinMama:
I'm very surprised by all of the negative reactions to this. Studies have shown that home visits early in the first month decrease hospital stays in the first year. It's not like CPS is coming to your house. They're trying to help. Keep your mind open!

I'm kind of thinking this too...I mean, it's sad but there are plenty of homes and families out there that probably shouldn't have a baby in them. I think it'd be a good thing that someone was looking out for baby's best interest in case mom and dad aren't. I understand it's a little strange especially to have someone come in and watch you breastfeed but that's exactly what a lactation consultant will do in the hospital. And you may need the help when you get home, I had to go to an LC our 2nd week and if I hadn't, I wouldn't have made it past that week. Not everything is meant to be an insult or invasion of privacy. Some it can actually help you or, in the case of a poorly suited home, help the baby. All that being said though, definitely find out as much as you can about the whole thing.

What rubs me the wrong way is that it is MANDATORY. It sounds odd. I'm all for support from nurses/LC after birth, but I think it needs to be MOM'S choice to go find them.

Bear021 · April 2012

after my DD was born the OB nurse did a home visit after about a week. At first I was weirded by it, but I was honestly happy she came by. She was able to answer any questions we had (we had a lot!!) and she looked DD over to make sure she was doing good. That was almost 16 years ago...so I am hoping that they still do this........

pbandkelly · April 2012

karencz:
LollyBug18:

QuiltinMama:
I'm very surprised by all of the negative reactions to this. Studies have shown that home visits early in the first month decrease hospital stays in the first year. It's not like CPS is coming to your house. They're trying to help. Keep your mind open!

I'm kind of thinking this too...I mean, it's sad but there are plenty of homes and families out there that probably shouldn't have a baby in them. I think it'd be a good thing that someone was looking out for baby's best interest in case mom and dad aren't. I understand it's a little strange especially to have someone come in and watch you breastfeed but that's exactly what a lactation consultant will do in the hospital. And you may need the help when you get home, I had to go to an LC our 2nd week and if I hadn't, I wouldn't have made it past that week. Not everything is meant to be an insult or invasion of privacy. Some it can actually help you or, in the case of a poorly suited home, help the baby. All that being said though, definitely find out as much as you can about the whole thing.

What rubs me the wrong way is that it is MANDATORY. It sounds odd. I'm all for support from nurses/LC after birth, but I think it needs to be MOM'S choice to go find them.

By the same token, then it would be only the "good" moms who seek it out. The babies living in bad homes stay that way. Who would ask for a home visit if it's a dirty pigpen cespool of disease and neglect. Invasion of privacy, perhaps, but I see where it's coming from.

Laura_Elaine · April 2012

I heard that a new law is about to be passed that if you are on Medicaid (government assistance) the government then will want to "check up" on you. I don't know if you're on Medicaid, but this could be why it's happening to you. While I completely agree that this is wrong, this is what happens when the people want the government to get in their lives... it's hard to then get the government out.

melindam · April 2012

Are you in Durham county, North Carolina? I found this online and wonder if it could be what you are referencing. In reading the website, it sounds like it isn't a mandatory thing but rather a highly encouraged thing from the county hospital. It also sounds like it's a nurse that comes to visit, not a social worker.

https://www.durhamconnects.org./families.html

PinkGirlInCali · April 2012

Never heard of this and I am a social worker! I'm in Los Angeles county and I can tell you we are NOT trained to judge a newborns weight, breastfeeding techniques, etc. I would want to know what type of training these social workers have. Are they coming with a nurse? I know on some occasions I have had to take a nurse with me to a home. And there are only two instances when we go to check on a newborn 1. The hospital made a report of some suspected abuse and if thats the case we always make contact before mom even leaves the hospital or 2. The family already has an open case with other children. And even in those circumstances we can not just barge in, we either need adult consent or a warrant.

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