After the Birth of Your Child
After the safe delivery of your child and before you take your baby home, several screenings will be performed to ensure your child’s health and safety.
State Blood Screening
The Michigan Department of Public Health requires all babies born in Michigan to have a blood test that checks for more than 40 metabolic disorders. If detected early, these disorders may be treated to prevent mental retardation or other serious problems. The blood sample is taken by heel stick 24 hours after birth and is repeated before your baby is discharged.
Heart Screening
This tests helps identify babies who may have a congenital heart defect before they go home from the hospital. This allows babies to be treated early and may prevent disability.
Hearing Screening
About one in every 200 newborns has a hearing loss that can affect speech and language development. Hearing loss in newborn babies can easily be detected by our simple, free screening test.
While in a natural sleep soon after birth, a baby's hearing can be checked using special computerized equipment. The screening test is painless and takes just a few minutes. In fact, most babies sleep through the entire procedure.
Support is available for all babies with hearing loss. Once a hearing impairment is confirmed, services should begin as soon as possible. If a baby does not pass the screening, a referral is made to a local audiologist or Munson Medical Center’s William and Leni Carls Speech and Hearing Clinic for further testing within three months.
Newborn Immunizations
Vaccinations help protect your baby against various serious diseases. A shot or series of shots can prevent life-threatening diseases such as rubella, whooping cough, diphtheria, polio, tetanus, mumps, measles, haemophilus B meningitis, and hepatitis B.
Your baby can receive his/her first immunization, hepatitis B, while still in the hospital. Hepatitis B is a serious liver disease that can be prevented through immunization. The first shot in a series of three shots for protection from hepatitis B is recommended to be given to newborns within the first 12 hours of life. You will be asked to sign a consent for parental permission for your baby to be given the vaccine.
Your Baby’s Birth Certificate
A clerk from Medical Records will stop by your hospital room or your baby’s bedside to obtain information necessary to complete your baby’s birth certificate. The clerk will need information including both parents’ Social Security numbers and your county of residence. Medical Records also will apply for your baby’s Social Security number. The father’s photo ID may be required if the parents are not married.
Find a Pediatrician
We recommend that you select a health care provider before your baby is born. Munson Healthcare’s HealthLink service is available to assist you. This is a confidential, free service which provides helpful information about physicians, including those accepting new patients, office locations, and insurance acceptance. HealthLink is available Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, and can be reached by calling 231-935-5886 or 800-533-5520 or email HealthLink@mhc.net.
Postpartum Adjustment
You may experience a wide range of emotions in the days following your baby’s birth. More than half of women experience Postpartum Blues. Symptoms include crying for no apparent reason, impatience, irritability, restlessness, and anxiety. Symptoms usually last a few days. They often disappear as quickly as they come. Time, patience, and support from family are important and helpful at this time.
If your symptoms persist for more than a couple of weeks, or if they worsen, contact your health care provider. You also may receive information and support from the National Depression After Delivery hotline at 215-295-3994 or online at Postpartum Support International at postpartum.net.
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