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

Has anyone refused the heel pr*ck test on their baby? How imperative is this test and why does the government regulate that the cards containing the blood samples be securely kept on file? Did you/will you hold your baby when this is done or leave the room?

I don't want my bubba jabbed at all and the thought of this test is really stressing me out, but I don't want to be negligent and ignorant on the matter either. I would really like to find out as much as I can on this screening procedure, any info, advice or experiences would help! TIA xox

TBH, I was slack and didn't do much (if any) research on what this was for and whether I thought it was necessary so good on you for seeking information.

DP and I were both in the room while she was having it done (DP held her) and ... she slept through it. Not a peep.

The test checks for genetic disorders such as and including cystic fibrosis, that's just about all I remember of it. It didn't bother DD at all.

Yeah I was just told it was to pick up on genetic disorders that may not have been picked up on through ultrasounds during the pregnancy.

DS screamed through his - but DD was being fed at the time and didn't even flinch - and they did it 3 times with her cos they didn't get enough blood!!!

Must be a girl thing to be tough ;)

mostly they check for CF. among other things its a very important test.

non of my boys even flinched.
and TBH it was the least of our worries for the twins they had so many needles after birth they started to look like a pin cousion.
its really a non event. kinda the same as if your getting your blood sugar checked. doesn't hurt really.

Holly, a good hossy will tell you to bring baby down as they are due for a feed.
Breastfeeding is a great comfort to babies even if they dont end up crying it ill make him feel secure.
I sat on a couch and breastfed DS (football hold) and she *****ed him from behind me.

He didn't flinch and just kept on enjoying his boobyjuice.
As for the injection after birth, pfffft he didn't even need to be feeding he didn't care!!
He has never been much of a crier when it comes to needles.

The heel ***** test (aka newborn screening test or Guthrie test) ensures the early detection and treatment of a number of rare but important conditions such as CF, phenylketonuria, congenital hypothyroidism and lots of other metabolic conditions.

DS handled it pretty well. I got to cuddle him while they did it (twice in one foot cause they couldn't get enough blood!).

The hospital will only contact you about the results if they find anything out of the norm and then you go and do more tests. So if you hear nothing back afterwards, it's a good thing!

ETA - I second what cookiemonster said! BF your bub while they do it, it's very comforting.

Thanks so much everyone, your replies have really put my mind at ease :) I am just a big baby and was really worried about the pain for bubs (my Mum told me that it was a really awful test and both my sisters howled and screamed and it was all very traumatic :( ) I will definitely be feeding him when it's done, it seems to be a good distractor!

Thanks again :)

They might be thinking of an infant blood test - which is horrible. They have to squeeze and squeeze to get blood out and it is really, really distressing :( DS howled when he needed one and then the Dr. didn't even use the results... :(

But the heel ***** is literally just a ***** and them using a piece of carboard and wiping across the blood droplet to get a sample. You will be fine, and so you will bub! :D

wtf?? No one has even mentioned it to me yet!! Is it done to every baby everywhere?? A bit slack if they haven't told me!

Yup SJ, it is generally done on day 2-3 and if you are already home by then someone will come to your home to do it.

Here is an article on it; Newborn screening guidelines: Genetic Health Services - Victorian Government Health Information, Australia

I don't think it is mandatory, however it is highly recommended.

SaraJane yep its standard procedure.
Unless you choose otherwise your baby will have this test, plus hep B injection and vit K injection. The 2 injections are normally done within 1-2 days of birth unless you request otherwise. They dont always tell you like they should, it can often be up to you to "just know" and investigate these things ahead of time in case you decide against any of them.

Personally I think the heel test is more important than the other 2.

They did tell me about the hep b and vit k but not this one. Maybe b/c I'm in the midwifery program and if everything is well go home after 6 hrs, so maybe it's coz someone else will come do it??
I shall ask about it at me appt today anyway, thanks guys!

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Maybe b/c I'm in the midwifery program and if everything is well go home after 6 hrs, so maybe it's coz someone else will come do it??
I shall ask about it at me appt today anyway, thanks guys!

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That could be why, although I would have thought you would have gotten an NBS pamphlet aaages ago. I got a bunch of pamphlets like that at 18ish weeks...
Good luck today!!

just a tip with the test to if you put socks on there feet first to keep them warm....especially if a winter bub makes it less uncomfortable and easier for them to get the blood out. so if you know what day they are doing it put socks on bubs feet.

Jazz had two heel *****s, one for jaundice to test her levels and one for the card. For the jaundice one the pead. did it, and Jazz screamed all the way through. The heel ***** one the midwife did at our home visit, warmed her foot with a warm face washer for a few minutes beforehand and Jazz didn't flinch at all during the test, so definately get them to warm bubs foot first. They have a little machine like the diabetes ***** thing, and them wipe the blood on a card. They needed a vial for the jaundice test and only a dot for the heel ***** card thing so thats probably why she screamed the hospital down.

the testing for phenyketonuria is really important - the impacts of not having this diagnosed early are pretty nasty long term. the heel ***** test is literally only a drop of blood and shouldn't be too traumatic for bubba (i understand that collecting full vial samples is nasty though)

For both the pr*ck and the Vit K and Hep B they took my DS away and did it, which i wasn't real happy about (i couldn't go with him as i was bed ridden for two days after the birth, and they didnt want to do it in the room incase he was upset and disturbed the other lady and her baby, but they brought him straight back and he was not fussed at all by either. but i had a very caring and gentle mid wife looking after us so that helped