The Public Health Nurse Visit
The Public Health Nurse will call to you at home during your first 3 days post birth with the baby. If you had a hospital birth, the hospital staff will let the PHN know when you have been discharged. If you are on a Domino scheme (midwife-led antenatal care), your first visit at home will be from a midwife. They will then hand over your care to your PHN. Your community midwife will notify the PHN if you had a home birth provided by the HSE. You will be visited by the PHN after you have been discharged from your midwife’s care.
On my first child, I was so all over the place postpartum after the hemorrhage and low iron. I was fighting back tears when the PHN came. Everything was so new to us we were on tender hooks, seeking all the information. Both myself and my husband like to be well prepared and well informed so you can imagine the rabbit in the headlights scenario when we first arrived home with the baby.
The public health nurse came 2 days after we arrived home with the baby.She phoned to let me know beforehand. You are expecting the call and also you are welcoming the support, so it’s a visit you want to have. I remember the PHN coming with her weighing scales and checking the baby and asking me about the feeding and giving advice on feeding, parenting and safe sleep for the baby. The PHN also told me about the local breastfeeding group in the health centre which met every Thursday afternoon. This group ended up being my saviour. I met mums who I am still friends with to this day! It was such a helpful support not only for feeding and queries but also in general about baby woes, like nap times, the lidl offers, weaning, everything! For me it was a wealth of knowledge about motherhood which I found invaluable.
The PHN will provide information and support on parenting and on local resources available. Ask the PHN if they provide ‘well baby’ clinics. You can have your baby weighed and discuss their weight progress at these clinics.The PHN may visit you again if needed. The PHN is available at your local health centre and will continue to see you and your baby at intervals over the next 3 and a half years. The PHN is there to offer you and your baby support. Ask them questions about any concerns you may have. More details HERE
For me I saw the Public Health Nurse as someone I could be really vulnerable and honest with and who understands the struggles and challenges of a new mum. They have great advice and have seen it all before. My PHN had a lovely calming nature about her and did a great job in reassuring me that I was being a good mum, which we all need to hear from time to time!
