Importance of newborn heel pr*ck test and is it ever refused?

[Cricket]

There are like 20 different metabolic disorders that they check for in that test, if I remember what the midwife told me correctly. Most of them are pretty rare, but as the others have said, knowing about them right after birth makes prevention/treatment much more effective.

As far as practicalities go - my first two girls were done at the hospital, and they cried and I cried. They were lying in those plastic nursery bed things on wheels that hospitals have and I knew they were hungry and I felt like a horrible mother for letting them be hurt like that. The nurses could never seem to get enough blood. They kept squeezing and pulling on their feet. And, of course, a post-partum mother is not one of the world's most rational creatures. I felt terrible.
With my third (born at home) things went beautifully! The midwife wrapped her heel in a warm wash cloth for a few minutes, while I nursed her. When her heel was nice and warm, I put her up on my shoulder and they picked the heel - two seconds later, it was all done, and she never made a peep.
Just for the record - there is apparently a very small risk of damaging a nerve in the foot during that test. I was unaware of that until my third baby was born as well. Now, I wouldn't skip the test for that, but I think mothers should always be aware of the risks and benefits. And, you would know to watch for anything odd with that foot.
All the best with your up-coming birth!

[Kailani]

Okay, so 2 important things to remember:

1. Feed bubs at the time of test
2. Make sure his feet are warm

I agree that the test is important and more crucial than the hep B and vit K injections (which I don't plan to have done), I'm just a wuss! I will probably cry if he cries lol. If all goes to plan it will be done in my home as I am booked into a birth centre for 24hour stay.

Thanks so much for all the replies

[Snacks]

I'm just a wuss! I will probably cry if he cries lol.

That's perfectly acceptable behaviour in my book, Holly (LOL, I am right there with ya!)

[Indadhanu]

I had tears when they took the vial of blood Shel looked like she was going to deck the paed!

[HotI]

I had tears when they took the vial of blood Shel looked like she was going to deck the paed!

For the heel ***** they just collect a small amount of blood on blotting paper. Did your bub need extra testing, and that's why they needed a vial of blood? I understand that can be a lot yuckier.