Did you allow Newborn Screening?

[Channelle]

I know that the hep b, vit k shot, and the eye ointment are often turned down, but I never hear anything about the newborn screening test. Here they prick the baby's heel 24 hours after birth, collect a vial of blood and test for diseases. Besides it being painful for the baby, is there anything wrong with doing this? Did you allow it to be done?

Thanks!

[Veritaserum]

Originally Posted by Channelle

I know that the hep b, vit k shot, and the eye ointment are often turned down, but I never hear anything about the newborn screening test. Here they prick the baby's heel 24 hours after birth, collect a vial of blood and test for diseases. Besides it being painful for the baby, is there anything wrong with doing this? Did you allow it to be done?

Thanks!

We skipped eye goop and vitamin k, but did do the metabolic screening.

[calpurnia]

the PKU test? Here they do it at 7 days (I think); we had it done. Neither Hep B nor eye ointment are routine here, but we did turn down the Vit K shot.

[JorgieGirl]

I did turn down the eye ointment and hep B, but did do the Vit K (precipitous birth) and PKU.

[rachel65655]

With our last DD we refused all routine testing including the newborn screening. You will have to check the laws in your state. In AR, where our DD was born, you can refuse all testing if the hospital is informed in writing prior to the birth of the child.

A couple years back I knew of either a KS or NE woman who had her infant taken away from her by DFS for not having the routine testing done so I would check and see exactly what your state laws are.

[GoldmanBaby09]

The PKU was the only thing I allowed to be done, though since I homebirthed, no one bothered me about the other things. I considered refusing that too, but in my state, they test for a ton of metabolic disorders when they run it, many of which can be life threatening. My midwife did the heal stick at our 5 day postpartum, and although it is hard to watch your baby cry, she had quick fingers and got it done quickly. You can always ask that they warm baby's foot (gets the blood to the surface) and/or that you nurse him while they do it as a means of distraction and comfort.

[Channelle]

Sorry not to come back to reply, my computer got a virus and just crashed! Thanks so much for your help!