There’s nothing like those first moments with your newborn – holding them close, feeling their tiny heartbeat against your chest. It’s a time of bonding, love and awe. But it’s also a crucial window for early care – a series of simple but essential screenings and preventive treatments that help ensure your baby’s long-term health. Courtney Torre, MSN, maternal health clinical leader at CentraState, understands this as both a nurse and a mother.
“As a maternal-child nurse, I know the importance of this care and how good our team is at delivering it,” says Torre. “And as a mom who recently delivered at CentraState, I had the peace of mind that comes with knowing I was taking every step to safeguard my baby’s well-being – without ever being separated from him because it was all done at the bedside.” Torre breaks down the following test and screenings your baby will need in their first 24 hours and why they’re recommended.
Within The First Few Hours:
- Vitamin K injection – Vitamin K plays a crucial role in blood clotting to help stop bleeding, but babies are born with low vitamin K levels. This shot helps prevent a rare but serious bleeding disorder related to vitamin K deficiency.
- Erythromycin eye ointment – A protective antibiotic ointment is applied to the eyes to prevent infections.
- Hepatitis B vaccine – This is the first dose of protection against hepatitis B, a serious liver infection.
At 24 Hours:
- Congenital heart defect screening – A soft sensor is placed on your baby’s wrist and foot to measure oxygen levels, detecting potential heart conditions early.
- Bilirubin test – A gentle light is shined on the skin to measure bilirubin levels and screen for jaundice, a common condition in newborns that causes yellowing of the skin and eyes. If necessary, jaundice can be easily treated with light therapy.
- Hearing screening – This painless test uses tiny earpieces to detect how the brain responds to sound, helping to identify any hearing concerns early.
- Newborn genetic and metabolic screening – A quick heel prick collects a few drops of blood to screen for rare but serious health conditions that can be managed with early medical care.
Partners In Care
At CentraState, all of your newborn’s care happens with you right there, ensuring that early bonding through 24-hour rooming-in and skin-to-skin contact is not interrupted – and giving you the opportunity to ask questions during every step. “We’re here to explain, reassure and empower parents to make the best choices for their baby,” says Torre.
Newborn Care At CentraState
Learn more about maternity services at CentraState.
