The newborn screening test will usually be performed about 3 to 5 days after the baby's birth and generally involve the caregiver pricking your baby's heel to take the blood. If the baby has been very ill and requires a blood transfusion, the test should ideally be done before the transfusion is given or alternatively, be delayed for 48 hours after the blood transfusion.
Information and consent
Timing of the test
Warming your baby's foot
Having the test
Drying and sending the card
Information and consent. Your caregiver should supply information (usually in the form of a written information sheet or pamphlet) and discuss the test with you before asking for your consent. You will need to give your verbal (and in some hospitals written) consent before the blood sample is taken from your baby. You should have an opportunity to ask questions and be aware of what the test involves.
Occasionally parents will decline this test for their baby. In this case the caregiver will send the laboratory a clean testing card with the mother's and baby's written details and indicate that the test has been declined. This is to make sure the laboratory records are complete and to confirm that the test was not accidentally overlooked.
Timing of the test. The test can be performed at any time of the day after the baby is 48 hours old. Caregivers will normally wait until the baby is awake for a feed. It is your choice as to whether you would prefer to feed your baby before or after the test. Some mothers will feed a little beforehand to calm their baby if hungry, and then complete the baby's feed after the test, to comfort and settle their baby (as the test can be temporarily painful).
Many caregivers express a preference to delay the feed until after the test, just in case the baby becomes distressed during the test and vomits. This is not a health issue for the baby, just a bit of a mess!
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