MEDICAL CARE & TESTS OF NEWBORNS

At birth babies enter a whole new world of light, sound and action. Their life support system changes from the placenta and umbilical cord to air expanding their lungs. Babies will tend to cough and sneeze to help clear the fluid from their lungs and passages but this is normal. Their breathing and heart rate will be rapid but will eventually slow down as they grow. AT BIRTH

A baby is known as a neonate the first month after birth. Most hospitals have a pediatrician standing by at birth or the obstetrician sometimes will do both patients. After delivery the doctor will sometimes hold the infant upside down and suction fluid from the nostrils and mouth. The mother may then have the baby placed on her abdomen for bonding and the cutting of the umbilical cord. BABY’S FIRST MEDICAL CARE

One of the first tests given to a baby is called the Apgar test. This test measures the baby’s pulse, breathing, muscle tone, responsiveness and skin color. This test is given 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth. The baby scores 0, 1 or 2 in each of the five areas. APGAR TEST

Healthy babies usually score a 6 or 7 at one minute and 8 to 10 at the five minute mark. If a baby scores a 7 or less they will retest them after 10 minutes. A low score means the baby needs special medical care. APGAR TEST

After the Apgar tests are taken a healthy baby is then given antibiotic drops in their eyes and a snug cap is placed on their heads because their temperature is not very stable yet. Newborns typically receive a vitamin K injection to help their blood clot. IMMEDIATE CARE FOR THE BABY

Nurses take a sample of cord blood to determine the newborn’s blood type and antibody status. Before the newborn is taken from the delivery room footprints are made and ankle or wrist bands are put on the baby for identification purposes. IMMEDIATE CARE FOR BABY

Before the newborn and mother are released from the hospital a few tests are done on the newborn to determine it’s health status. 1) Blood Tests – these tests are done by collecting a few drops of blood from the newborn’s heel and testing for anemia, jaundice and developmental disorders. NEWBORN SCREENING TESTS

Anemia is a condition that affects the red blood cells which carry oxygen to all parts of the body. For severe anemia a blood transfusion may be needed. Jaundice is a liver condition that can make the skin, tissues and body fluids look yellow. It is a build up in the blood of bilirubin which is a yellow pigment. It is usually treated by using light treatment or phototherapy. If not severe a few hours in indirect sunlight for a few days can help the baby. BLOOD TESTS

Doctors usually screen babies for developmental disorders before they leave the hospital. Depending on which state you live in as to which tests are given but the following 4 are required by most states 1) Phenylketonuria (PKU) – this is a condition where the body is unable to metabolize or break down amino acids in the digestive system. It can be treated by diet, if left untreated can lead to seizures and impaired intellectual abilities DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS

2) Hypothyroidism – for this condition they are checking the thyroid hormone because a deficiency can lead to slow growth and abnormal brain development. 3) Galactosemia – this is a condition where the baby is unable to digest the sugar in milk and it can lead to blindness, impaired intellectual abilities and death. 4) Sickle-cell anemia – this is a disease in which the body makes sickle shaped blood cells that block blood vessels causing pain and damage. DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS

Most doctors perform hearing tests on newborns. A loss of hearing can delay a baby’s speech and concept development. Doctors usually test the heart for defects that may affect the way a baby’s heart functions or how the heart is shaped. HEARING & HEART TESTS

In the United States parents can choose to have their male son circumcised or not. This is usually done before the baby leaves the hospital or for religious purposes is done soon after the baby is discharged from the hospital. Circumcision is a surgical procedure that removes the skin from the end of the penis called foreskin. CIRCUMCISION

An appointment is usually made before the newborn leaves the hospital and is 3-5 days from being discharged from the hospital. At this check up the nurse will weigh the baby and measure it’s length, head and chest. This is a routine exam to make sure the baby is growing properly and in good health. WELL-BABY CHECKUP

A newborn that falls into this category can be premature, have a low-birth weight or have another high-risk condition. A high-risk condition can be congenital such as heart problems, digestive issues, spine and/or brain abnormalities. These high-risk newborns are admitted into a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) where they receive immediate, specialized, around the clock care and treatment. Most parents are encouraged to make their presence known and be involved in their baby’s care. HIGH-RISK NEWBORNS

A neonatal intensive care unit is rated by level 1-4. The rating depends on the treatment of the high-risk newborn with 4 being the newborns that are the smallest and most ill. The doctors and nurses have special training in neonatology. Neonatology is the branch of medicine that concentrates on the care, development and diseases of newborns. NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

POSTPARTUM CARE The care of the mother after birth is extremely important because she is needed by the newborn. 1) Postpartum care is the care the mother receives 6-8 weeks after the birth. Mother’s who had a cesarean section will require up to 12 weeks of recovery time.

The first hour after birth is critical to restoring the mother’s body to a place of stability. Her vitals are taken every few minutes and the uterus needs to be contracting properly. New moms need to be up and moving soon after birth and slowly trying to regain their strength. New mothers are usually ready to loose weight and regain their figures but if they are nursing they will need to have a nutrient rich diet to supply the newborn with good quality milk. POSTPARTUM CARE

Some parents may experience sadness or depression following the birth of a child. There are 3 types of mood disorders that we will discuss: 1) Baby blues – irritability, sleep and appetite problems, tired, weepy, over anxious 2) Postpartum depression – restlessness, exhaustion, uncontrollable crying, lack of interest, fear of harming baby or yourself. 3) Postpartum psychosis – severe mental illness, focus on dying of the baby, desires to kill self or baby. POSTPARTUM MOOD DISORDERS

If you or your partner are having any of the mentioned feelings it is important that seek professional help as soon as possible. These disorders can cause problems for the baby, your family and yourself. There are various treatments which include medication, counseling, therapy, support groups, etc. TREATMENT OF MOOD DISORDERS

Once the newborn is home the life of the family will change forever. The first few weeks are very trying as the baby does not sleep all night so the parents are sleep deprived and find that their every minute is spent tending to the baby. Below are 6 steps to help cope with a newborn: 1) Make sure to get plenty of rest 2) Maintain a healthy diet 3) Try some physical activity each day NEEDS OF PARENTS BEING MEET

4) Try and stay organized 5) Make sure you take care of legal matters (birth certificate, social security card, etc.) 6) Socialize – get out of the house and spend time with other adults. NEEDS OF PARENTS BEING MEET