Congratulations! Your newborn is finally here, and you can’t wait to take them home. You’ve been waiting for this day, and now the time has come. There’s so much information to take in.
Most crucially, you have to think about your newborn’s health. What tests should your baby undergo? The answer depends on what you want to get checked out right away.
Here are some of the basic tests that all newborns should undergo immediately after birth:
APGAR Test
The APGAR is a test administered to a newborn right after birth. It tests five different areas of health: heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex response, and skin color. Each section has a score out of two points with ten total possible for each area tested; the highest score that can be achieved would be twenty. Therefore, a baby can score between zero and two in each section and ten total.
The APGAR test is typically given within one minute of birth and then again five minutes after. In most cases, a lower score at the first round indicates that some assistance may be needed before the baby has had enough time to adapt to life outside of its mother’s womb fully.
Hearing Test
A hearing test, also called “auditory screening,” should be done immediately after birth to determine whether or not the baby can hear. This is because even a tiny amount of exposure to noise at this age can cause damage that will result in permanent deafness later on.
If your newborn does not show any signs of hearing during the test, you will have to consider further testing by a specialist. If you do not have an opportunity for your newborn to experience this test, you can perform it yourself by speaking loudly and clapping your hands at the baby.
The absence of any response when they are a few days old means something wrong with their hearing. In case they need a hearing aid, be sure to select only the best. And, don’t forget to look out for common hearing aid malfunctions to ensure they work properly always.
Blood Test
After birth, the baby’s blood will be drawn and tested for genetic disorders. These tests can also determine if any incompatibilities exist between the mother and infant. The most common of these is Rh disease, in which a woman who has an RH negative blood type (Rh-) becomes sensitized to the Rhesus factor after pregnancy with an RH+ baby.
The mother’s body will then produce antibodies to the Rhesus factor, which can cross over into the placenta and attack future RH+ fetuses.
Pulse Oximetry Test
Pulse oximetry tests the amount of oxygen in your blood. It is a painless procedure, but it can be uncomfortable for uncooperative babies or crying excessively. For this reason, it is worth waiting until your baby has had some sleep before getting tested.
The test involves placing sensors on the foot and hand to measure levels of oxygen through the skin. This can help determine if your baby has respiratory issues or other medical problems that must be treated immediately after birth.
Hope this article has helped teach you about the tests your baby should undergo immediately after birth. Ensure you also share it with friends and family members!