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As midwives, one of our greatest privileges is walking alongside families as they prepare to welcome their babies into the world. Along the way, there are many decisions to make, and one topic that often brings questions is newborn screening.
At Sweet Pea Midwifery, we believe that parents deserve honest information, thoughtful discussion, and the opportunity to make informed decisions for their children. Our goal is never simply to provide a service, but to help families understand their options so they can confidently choose what is best for their baby.
Newborn screening is a blood test performed shortly after birth using drops of blood collected from your baby's heel to fill the screening card. While the process is quick, the information it provides can be incredibly valuable.
The Texas Newborn Screening Program screens for dozens of rare but serious conditions that may not be visible at birth. Many babies affected by these conditions appear perfectly healthy during the newborn period, making screening an important tool for identifying concerns before symptoms develop.
When detected early, many of these conditions can be treated or managed, helping to improve a child's long[1]term health and quality of life.
Texas screens for more than 50 disorders, including conditions that affect metabolism, hormone production, immune function, and blood health.
Some examples include:
While these conditions are uncommon, early identification can make a significant difference in a child's health and development.
One of the most common questions we hear is, "Why does my baby need two screenings?"
The answer is simple: babies change rapidly during their first days of life.
The first screening is typically collected between 24 and 48 hours after birth. At this stage, some conditions can be identified immediately. However, certain disorders may not yet be detectable because the substances being measured in the blood have not reached levels that can be accurately identified.
The second screening is usually collected between 7 and 14 days of age. This additional screen provides another opportunity to identify conditions that may not have appeared on the first test.
Together, these two screenings provide the most complete picture and help reduce the risk of a condition going undetected.
As licensed midwives in Texas, we are required to offer newborn screening to every family in our care. We take this responsibility seriously because we believe parents deserve access to information that can help protect their baby's health.
At the same time, we also believe that informed consent matters.
Our role is to educate, answer questions, discuss benefits and limitations, and support families as they make decisions regarding their newborn's care. We welcome thoughtful conversations and encourage parents to ask questions about anything they do not fully understand.
No question is too small when it comes to your baby.
Many families are surprised to learn that while healthcare providers are required to offer newborn screening, parents remain active participants in the decision-making process.
At Sweet Pea Midwifery, we believe parents should understand both the purpose of screening and the options available to them. If you have concerns about the testing process, we encourage you to discuss them with your midwife so that you can make an informed decision for your family.
Our desire is not simply that parents say "yes" or "no," but that they fully understand both the benefits and limitations of screening, as well as the implications of accepting or declining testing.
An Important Consideration if You Decline ScreeningIf you choose to decline one or both newborn screenings, we encourage you to keep a record of that decision and communicate it to any healthcare providers who care for your baby in the future.
Should your baby ever need to be evaluated by a pediatrician, urgent care provider, specialist, or emergency room physician, it is important to let them know that the newborn screening was not completed. This information can help guide their assessment and clinical decision-making.
Many healthcare providers routinely review newborn screening results when evaluating infants and young children. If a screening was declined, providers should be aware that conditions typically identified through newborn screening have not been ruled out through testing. Sharing this information ensures your baby's healthcare team has the most complete picture possible and can consider all appropriate possibilities when assessing symptoms or concerns.
Regardless of your decision, our goal is to ensure that families have the information they need to make informed choices and to advocate confidently for their children's healthcare needs.
Another question we frequently hear concerns what happens after the screening is completed.
The blood spots collected for newborn screening are sent to the Texas Department of State Health Services for testing. After testing is complete, residual samples may be retained for quality assurance, laboratory improvement, public health activities, and other purposes permitted by law.
Many parents are unaware that they have options regarding the retention of their baby's sample. Families may request that their baby's residual newborn screening specimen not be retained beyond what is necessary for testing and quality assurance. If this is important to your family, we encourage you to discuss it with your midwife so we can help guide you through the process and provide the appropriate forms and resources.
As with all aspects of care, we believe parents should be informed not only about the testing itself but also about how their baby's information and specimens may be used and stored.
Parenthood is filled with decisions, both large and small. We understand that every family approaches these decisions with their own values, experiences, and questions.
At Sweet Pea Midwifery, we consider it an honor to walk beside you during this season. Whether you are seeking information about newborn screening, feeding choices, newborn procedures, or any other aspect of your baby's care, our commitment remains the same: to provide compassionate support, evidence-based education, and respectful care.
We encourage you to ask questions, seek understanding, and engage in meaningful conversations with your midwife. We welcome these discussions and believe that informed conversations build confident families.
Because informed parents are empowered parents, and every baby deserves a thoughtful beginning.
With love and care,
admin@sweetpeamidwifery.com
469-515-5355