Screening checks for your baby

When your baby is born, your midwife will carry out an initial physical examination to check that there are no major problems that need urgent attention. Within 72 hours of birth, another more detailed examination will be carried out. This may be done by a midwife or paediatrician whilst you are in hospital or once you have gone home.

When your baby is 5 - 7 days old your midwife will ask to take a tiny sample of blood from your baby’s heel. This is to carry out a routine test to find out if your baby has any of 9 rare but serious health conditions. Early treatment can improve your baby’s health and prevent severe disability or even death. If you, the baby’s father, or a family member already has one of these conditions, please tell your health professional straight away. The conditions screened for are: Sickle cell disease, Cystic fibrosis, congenital hypothyroidism and 6 inherited metabolic diseases – you can read more about these in the screening booklet 'Screening tests for you and your baby' or here on the NHS website: www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/newborn-blood-spot-test

Your midwife will routinely conduct this test at home or in the hospital if you are still there. You will receive the results by a letter or from a healthcare professional by the time your baby is 6-8 weeks old. If there are any concerns, you will be notified sooner.

Pulse Oximetry is a simple test to determine the amount of oxygen in your baby's blood, it is safe, quick and painless screening which can help detect serious heart conditions, saving lives through early detection.

From 1st July 2015 all babies born at Liverpool Women's Hospital will be offered the pulse oximetry test before they go home, or at home if born there with the midwife. Further information will be given to you by your midwife and the test will not be carried out without your consent.

This screening is offered to all babies from birth and is to identify babies who have a hearing loss so that support and advice can be offered right from the start preventing long term developmental and speech problems.

Red Book

The Red Book is a way of keeping track of your baby’s progress.

Your baby’s details at birth are recorded as well as the first examination. Your baby’s weight and immunisations are recorded as well as other details about childhood illnesses and milestones. Take it with you whenever you see anyone about your child’s health. You can also add your own information such as when your child does something for the first time.

In this book you will find your baby’s NHS number- a lifelong number that will be used across different NHS organisations

Taking Your Baby Out

Your baby is ready to go out once you feel ready. Walking is good for both of you.

You can use:

• A sling with baby facing you.
• A buggy/pram, with baby lying flat on their back.

Car Safety

The only safe way for your baby to travel is in:

• a properly secured
• backward facing
• baby seat, or carry cot
• with the cover on and secured with special straps.

Never use a rear-facing seat in the front of a car when an airbag is fitted (unless it is turned off).

Inflatable bags are fitted to the seats of many cars to protect you in a car crash. However, airbags are considered dangerous for babies and small children.

Car seats should not be used for sleeping at home and when on a long journey stop often to allow your baby to be removed for cuddles and a stretch. A cramped position can mean that your baby cannot take a full breath. Children and babies must always be properly buckled or strapped in.

Registering Your Baby’s Birth

You have a legal duty to register your baby’s birth within 42 days. You should register the birth at the local register’s office. For Liverpool this is at St George’s Hall.  You can book an appointment online at

http://liverpool.gov.uk/births-marriage-deaths/register-a-birth/ or call: 0151 233 3004 

Please arrive at least 10 minutes before your appointment, or they may have to re-book for a different day.

If you prefer to go to another registrar’s office in England or Wales, you can have the birth registered by declaration. Then birth certificates will not be issued at the appointment but posted out.

Can my partner register the birth?

If you were married or in a civil partnership at the time of the birth it is possible for your partner to register the birth. Otherwise, the details can only be entered into the register if:

• You and your partner attend together to register the birth.
• If your partner is unable to attend with you, it is possible for them to make a statutory declaration of parentage (this form can be found online).

Please note: If you are not married, you do not need to have your partner’s details included in the entry. It may be possible for this to be done later.

It is most important that the information recorded in the register should be correct. If any mistake is made it will give you some trouble to have it put right after you signed the register

If English is not your first language, you may wish to have a relative or friend with you. Please be aware that you must register the birth yourself.

What certificates will I be issued with? After the birth has been registered you will be given a short birth certificate that is issued free of charge.

Other Organisations for Support

• National Childbirth Trust: 0300 330 0700 nct.org.uk - Support and information on all aspects of early parenting.
• National Breastfeeding Helpline: 0300 100 0212- nationalbreastfeedinghelpline.org.uk
• Cry-sis: 08451 228669 www.cry-sis.org.uk - Provides self-help and support with excessively crying, sleepless and demanding babies.
• Pandas Foundation: 0843 28 98 401 (9am to 8 pm) www.pandasfoundation.org.uk - Pre and Postnatal Depression advice & support
• Support for Parents with Twins and Multiple Births - twinstrust.org
• NHS Choices Pregnancy and baby: www.nhs.uk - Start4Life 0300 123 1021 - nhs.uk/start4life - For help and advice about parenthood
• eatwell.gov.uk - Information on healthy eating for you while breastfeeding

Family Planning Association: www.fpa.org.uk  - Information about contraception choices

Liverpool Women’s Hospital Patient Advice and Liaison Service

If you need general information, advice or to leave feedback.

Call:  0151 702 4353

Email:  PALS@lwh.nhs.uk

Facebook Liverpool Women’s Hospital

Twitter-@LiverpoolWomens

Liverpool Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership (Liverpool MNVP)

Liverpool Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership (Liverpool MNVP) is a family-led NHS working group, supporting the development of local maternity and neonatal services.

The MNVP is a diverse team made up of healthcare professionals (those who provide maternity and neonatal care services), commissioners (those who fund services), and service users and their families (those who use or have recently used the services). We work together as a team using your feedback to develop and improve local services.

You can contact the MNVP to provide feedback, improvement suggestions, or to find out more about joining the team as a volunteer Service User Representative via:

• E-mail: mvp.liverpool.voices@gmail.com
• Facebook: LiverpoolMNVP
• Instagram: mnvp.Liverpool.voices
• Twitter: @LiverpoolMNVP