Are you doing newborn screening test (heel prick)

[winginit]

#3 Are you doing the newborn screening test (heel prick)...why or why not?

[treehugginhippie]

Yes, from what's I've read there's many benefits to this test but no negatives other than the baby getting a prick on their heel. I've read that if their heel is warmed it's better for the baby.

[alyssatuininga]

Minimally invasive test that can tell a lot.

[paquerette]

Ideally I would like to, if we can find a lab that will assure us that the DNA information will not go into that new database thing.

[treehugginhippie]

Originally Posted by paquerette

Ideally I would like to, if we can find a lab that will assure us that the DNA information will not go into that new database thing.

Haven't heard of this yet...please tell us more.

[paquerette]

There were some threads about it in I think Birth & Beyond, maybe also the hb and uc forums, about a month or two ago. If I remember tomorrow I'll try to search for them. Basically it's this new thing, I think a federal program, to track every single newborn's DNA, supposedly to collect statistics on genetic conditions.

[neshamamama]

Yes, We will do the heel prick but only once at one week, when it is supposed to me more accurate, rather than the day after birth and then again at a week for comparisons sake.

[frontierpsych]

We are doing it, as I don't find it too invasive. I really don't mind non-invasive testing.

[aurora_skys]

sure, its worth it for the tiny chance that the test actually detects something. but look out for false positives...

[Mamato3wild ponnie]

My midwife told me about it..but i'm unsure if i will do it. She said she knows someone who will come to your house and do it. So you dont have to take the babe to a doc.

[PassionateWriter]

Originally Posted by paquerette

Ideally I would like to, if we can find a lab that will assure us that the DNA information will not go into that new database thing.

yeh, that..and not until at least a week. we did ds3's at 11 days.

[ryansma]

Yes, but someone will come here and it will be a week after he is born.

[mommathea]

We are having it done. Dh and I are carriers for Galactosemia one of the things tested for with the PKU.
For the most accurate results you just need to wait 24hrs from the time your milk fully comes in. And you will get the least ammount of false negatives.

And about the registry thing, I don't believe it starts until next year, but Here in Missouri all labs send the test to the State lab to be run. So there is no way to avoid it. I'm just thankful this is my last baby and the registry hasn't taken affect yet here.

[paquerette]

Originally Posted by mommathea

And about the registry thing, I don't believe it starts until next year, but Here in Missouri all labs send the test to the State lab to be run. So there is no way to avoid it. I'm just thankful this is my last baby and the registry hasn't taken affect yet here.

You can mail it out to have it done, doesn't have to be done in your own state. You can actually order the cards from birth supply websites and do it yourself. My mw will do it for us though. I think she usually sends to a particular lab but I'm still trying to research where I want it sent to. We'd have it done at a week or so.

[funfunkyfantastic]

don't remember which blood test it is... but they gotta find out my baby's blood type right away so they can see if they need to poke me again with the RH shot thing. Plus i'm sure there's no real harm in the heel poke test.

[jenmary]

yep, no reason no to.

[c_something]

We will be doing this test only!

Why does warming the heal help? I would think it would do the opposite.

[jenmary]

Originally Posted by c_something

Why does warming the heal help? I would think it would do the opposite.

Warming the heel increases bloodflow and makes it easier to get a drop. If the extremity is cold, you have to squeeze, IMO more painful.