Newborn Care & Screening Tests
Depend on the experienced specialists at Mary Greeley Medical Center to give your baby the healthiest possible start, including their first checkup, during your stay at Birthways.
Screenings & Tests
Newborn screenings make sure we catch any potential concerns as early as possible. Every newborn at Birthways has:
- Medical exam to measure weight, length, heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure
- Heel prick, which takes a small blood sample from your baby’s foot to test for metabolic disorders, such as phenylketonuria (PKU), hypothyroidism, cystic fibrosis, galactosemia, sickle cell disease, or toxoplasmosis
- Hearing tests
- Congenital cardiac heart disease (CHD) pulse oximetry test, which measures blood oxygen levels to detect a common birth defect
We are required by Iowa law to provide these screenings, which your baby will receive one to two days after birth at no cost to you.
What to Expect
For your peace of mind, your baby’s screening tests take place in your hospital room while you’re present. Your baby’s healthcare provider may examine your baby:
- Using the Panda® Warmer in your room to check weight, vital signs, and other measurements while keeping your newborn comfortable and cozy
- In your baby’s crib
Follow-Up Care
Depending on your baby’s screening test results, the care team may recommend and perform additional testing services, such as an echocardiogram (echo) or ultrasound to check heart health. Rely on us to inform you and your baby’s pediatrician of the test results and help you access any needed follow-up care.
