One Year Check Up with No Pediatrician

Here in England, you do not see a pediatrician.  The entire family is assigned a general practitioner.  Cora was checked by a doctor once at 6 weeks, and she has only seen a doctor a few other times due to an unending diaper rash and sickness.  The "health visitors" here take care of developmental checks for babies and children.  So, instead of our one-stop appointment at the pediatrician, we had 3 separate occasions to cover all that would take place at the one year check up.

1. Getting weighed: I took her to a "Crafty Tuesday" play session in the town hall where 2 health visitors set up to check and weigh babies on a first come first serve basis.  She loved seeing all of the other babies and playing with the toys.  She's also really into the songs they sing at the end.  It's not a bad idea if you have an hour and a half to spare (by the time you park and wait your turn).

She weighed 20lbs. 1oz. which puts her just above 50% for weight.

 

In the town hall playing while we wait her turn to be weighed

Taking blocks in and out of the truck is fun!

They have tables set up with puzzles, books, playdough and various crafts.

The entire wall of the room is packed with pushchairs (strollers).  Most people walk everywhere.  You can see they just pop on the raincover and go.

2. Getting Shots: We receive a letter in the mail every time she is due for immunizations (which they call "jabs").  They give immunizations on Mondays at the surgery (doctor's office).  The appointment time is given to you in the letter.  Thank goodness I am not a working mother right now.  They really move the babies through on Mondays.  They have one doctor who has a very quick chat with you about the jabs, and then the nurses quickly do the damage.  They open the door for you to exit as the baby is just catching her breath from screaming.  I don't know any of the doctor's names since we always see a different one.  I miss having that relationship with a pediatrician who knows you and your children.  

Oh, and we carry this "Red Book" with us to all appointments.  They document her immunizations, growth charts and routine visits in here.  Her immunizations are kept on file in the computer at the doctor's office as well.

 

 

3. Developmental Check: Our health visitor made a house visit to see how Cora is doing developmentally.  We discussed eating, sleeping and several developmental milestones.  She was very impressed with Cora's ability to kick a ball, follow it and kick it again.  We think she got some of the soccer genes from Grandpa Trost!  Cora is doing very well in all areas.  She is saying about 20 words and beginning to take steps.  The health visitor could have weighed her at our house, but I already had her weighed the week before her birthday.  The health visitor wrote down a few notes in Cora's red book and was on her way.  She did not physically check anything on Cora's body.  Clothing was kept on at all times.  It was just a very different experience from our pediatrician check ups in the states.  

No one measures the length of babies here, so we did that ourselves.  Cora was 28.5" long, which puts her just above 25% for height. We are just so blessed Cora is a healthy baby.  We couldn't ask for anything more.