Newborn Screening advice...

alsfields

New member
Hi. I'm looking for some advice on getting the newborn screening done. I'm being induced at 38 weeks on Monday with our first child and I'm just so lost. Here's a little background on why I'm so lost. Ha. My husband and I found out we were both carriers of CF when we were 13 weeks pregnant and chose not to do the amnio. We were seeing a perinatologist monthly to keep an eye on the baby. So far, we have not encountered any issues with her bowel via ultrasound. We had plenty of time to look for a pediatrician at that time, I know.

But then at 24 weeks I was put on strict bed rest and we encountered another issue with my health at 28 weeks, putting CF on the back burner just to make sure I and the baby were healthy and she did not make an early appearance.

Well, now, here I am, less than a week away from giving birth and I do not have a pediatrician in mind. What I need to know is if I need to find a pediatrician before we go into the hospital to order her newborn screening, if I can just ask the pediatrician in the nursery to do the screening or just see what hospital protocol is?

I asked my OB and he gave me a pretty screwed up answer in that we should just wait until she started showing symptoms, but I of course do not want to take that route. I haven't asked my peri again, but will at my appointment tomorrow. I've just come to realize that sometimes parents are better because they've been there, done that.

Sorry this was so long and I appreciate any advice that can be given. Thanks!!
 

alsfields

New member
Hi. I'm looking for some advice on getting the newborn screening done. I'm being induced at 38 weeks on Monday with our first child and I'm just so lost. Here's a little background on why I'm so lost. Ha. My husband and I found out we were both carriers of CF when we were 13 weeks pregnant and chose not to do the amnio. We were seeing a perinatologist monthly to keep an eye on the baby. So far, we have not encountered any issues with her bowel via ultrasound. We had plenty of time to look for a pediatrician at that time, I know.

But then at 24 weeks I was put on strict bed rest and we encountered another issue with my health at 28 weeks, putting CF on the back burner just to make sure I and the baby were healthy and she did not make an early appearance.

Well, now, here I am, less than a week away from giving birth and I do not have a pediatrician in mind. What I need to know is if I need to find a pediatrician before we go into the hospital to order her newborn screening, if I can just ask the pediatrician in the nursery to do the screening or just see what hospital protocol is?

I asked my OB and he gave me a pretty screwed up answer in that we should just wait until she started showing symptoms, but I of course do not want to take that route. I haven't asked my peri again, but will at my appointment tomorrow. I've just come to realize that sometimes parents are better because they've been there, done that.

Sorry this was so long and I appreciate any advice that can be given. Thanks!!
 

alsfields

New member
Hi. I'm looking for some advice on getting the newborn screening done. I'm being induced at 38 weeks on Monday with our first child and I'm just so lost. Here's a little background on why I'm so lost. Ha. My husband and I found out we were both carriers of CF when we were 13 weeks pregnant and chose not to do the amnio. We were seeing a perinatologist monthly to keep an eye on the baby. So far, we have not encountered any issues with her bowel via ultrasound. We had plenty of time to look for a pediatrician at that time, I know.

But then at 24 weeks I was put on strict bed rest and we encountered another issue with my health at 28 weeks, putting CF on the back burner just to make sure I and the baby were healthy and she did not make an early appearance.

Well, now, here I am, less than a week away from giving birth and I do not have a pediatrician in mind. What I need to know is if I need to find a pediatrician before we go into the hospital to order her newborn screening, if I can just ask the pediatrician in the nursery to do the screening or just see what hospital protocol is?

I asked my OB and he gave me a pretty screwed up answer in that we should just wait until she started showing symptoms, but I of course do not want to take that route. I haven't asked my peri again, but will at my appointment tomorrow. I've just come to realize that sometimes parents are better because they've been there, done that.

Sorry this was so long and I appreciate any advice that can be given. Thanks!!
 

alsfields

New member
Hi. I'm looking for some advice on getting the newborn screening done. I'm being induced at 38 weeks on Monday with our first child and I'm just so lost. Here's a little background on why I'm so lost. Ha. My husband and I found out we were both carriers of CF when we were 13 weeks pregnant and chose not to do the amnio. We were seeing a perinatologist monthly to keep an eye on the baby. So far, we have not encountered any issues with her bowel via ultrasound. We had plenty of time to look for a pediatrician at that time, I know.

But then at 24 weeks I was put on strict bed rest and we encountered another issue with my health at 28 weeks, putting CF on the back burner just to make sure I and the baby were healthy and she did not make an early appearance.

Well, now, here I am, less than a week away from giving birth and I do not have a pediatrician in mind. What I need to know is if I need to find a pediatrician before we go into the hospital to order her newborn screening, if I can just ask the pediatrician in the nursery to do the screening or just see what hospital protocol is?

I asked my OB and he gave me a pretty screwed up answer in that we should just wait until she started showing symptoms, but I of course do not want to take that route. I haven't asked my peri again, but will at my appointment tomorrow. I've just come to realize that sometimes parents are better because they've been there, done that.

Sorry this was so long and I appreciate any advice that can be given. Thanks!!
 

alsfields

New member
Hi. I'm looking for some advice on getting the newborn screening done. I'm being induced at 38 weeks on Monday with our first child and I'm just so lost. Here's a little background on why I'm so lost. Ha. My husband and I found out we were both carriers of CF when we were 13 weeks pregnant and chose not to do the amnio. We were seeing a perinatologist monthly to keep an eye on the baby. So far, we have not encountered any issues with her bowel via ultrasound. We had plenty of time to look for a pediatrician at that time, I know.
<br />
<br />But then at 24 weeks I was put on strict bed rest and we encountered another issue with my health at 28 weeks, putting CF on the back burner just to make sure I and the baby were healthy and she did not make an early appearance.
<br />
<br />Well, now, here I am, less than a week away from giving birth and I do not have a pediatrician in mind. What I need to know is if I need to find a pediatrician before we go into the hospital to order her newborn screening, if I can just ask the pediatrician in the nursery to do the screening or just see what hospital protocol is?
<br />
<br />I asked my OB and he gave me a pretty screwed up answer in that we should just wait until she started showing symptoms, but I of course do not want to take that route. I haven't asked my peri again, but will at my appointment tomorrow. I've just come to realize that sometimes parents are better because they've been there, done that.
<br />
<br />Sorry this was so long and I appreciate any advice that can be given. Thanks!!
 

just1more

New member
The basic state newborn screening will be done at the hospital. You don't have to have your own ped selected. Any child born will w/o a specific docter just gets the local pediatrician who is working.

Depending on the state, many now test for CF as part of the standard newborn tests. If they don't, you can request it from your pediatrician once you have one. I doubt the on-call Dr will order a CF screen if it is not standard as it is not urgent.

Outside of meconium ileus (blowel blockage) there is not a life/death hurry to have the test. The sooner you know the sooner you can either move-on or start to prepare for the future. But it doesn't have to be done in those first few days if the state doesn't already test.

If you want to PM me or post where you live I'll check and see if it is in your state's newborn screening.
 

just1more

New member
The basic state newborn screening will be done at the hospital. You don't have to have your own ped selected. Any child born will w/o a specific docter just gets the local pediatrician who is working.

Depending on the state, many now test for CF as part of the standard newborn tests. If they don't, you can request it from your pediatrician once you have one. I doubt the on-call Dr will order a CF screen if it is not standard as it is not urgent.

Outside of meconium ileus (blowel blockage) there is not a life/death hurry to have the test. The sooner you know the sooner you can either move-on or start to prepare for the future. But it doesn't have to be done in those first few days if the state doesn't already test.

If you want to PM me or post where you live I'll check and see if it is in your state's newborn screening.
 

just1more

New member
The basic state newborn screening will be done at the hospital. You don't have to have your own ped selected. Any child born will w/o a specific docter just gets the local pediatrician who is working.

Depending on the state, many now test for CF as part of the standard newborn tests. If they don't, you can request it from your pediatrician once you have one. I doubt the on-call Dr will order a CF screen if it is not standard as it is not urgent.

Outside of meconium ileus (blowel blockage) there is not a life/death hurry to have the test. The sooner you know the sooner you can either move-on or start to prepare for the future. But it doesn't have to be done in those first few days if the state doesn't already test.

If you want to PM me or post where you live I'll check and see if it is in your state's newborn screening.
 

just1more

New member
The basic state newborn screening will be done at the hospital. You don't have to have your own ped selected. Any child born will w/o a specific docter just gets the local pediatrician who is working.

Depending on the state, many now test for CF as part of the standard newborn tests. If they don't, you can request it from your pediatrician once you have one. I doubt the on-call Dr will order a CF screen if it is not standard as it is not urgent.

Outside of meconium ileus (blowel blockage) there is not a life/death hurry to have the test. The sooner you know the sooner you can either move-on or start to prepare for the future. But it doesn't have to be done in those first few days if the state doesn't already test.

If you want to PM me or post where you live I'll check and see if it is in your state's newborn screening.
 

just1more

New member
The basic state newborn screening will be done at the hospital. You don't have to have your own ped selected. Any child born will w/o a specific docter just gets the local pediatrician who is working.
<br />
<br />Depending on the state, many now test for CF as part of the standard newborn tests. If they don't, you can request it from your pediatrician once you have one. I doubt the on-call Dr will order a CF screen if it is not standard as it is not urgent.
<br />
<br />Outside of meconium ileus (blowel blockage) there is not a life/death hurry to have the test. The sooner you know the sooner you can either move-on or start to prepare for the future. But it doesn't have to be done in those first few days if the state doesn't already test.
<br />
<br />If you want to PM me or post where you live I'll check and see if it is in your state's newborn screening.
 

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
I take it that your state doesn't have newborn screening yet... Ours didn't until a few years ago.

When DS was born, I didn't have a pediatrician chosen, but a family practice doctor from our local clinic and someone from his service examined DS shortly after he was born. Our circumstances were different in that we didn't know DH and I were carriers and about 6 hours later DS started showing symptoms of a bowel obstruction/meconium illeus. But I guess would tell the ob/gyn that you'l like testing done asap when your child is born or you could ask the pediatrician who examines your child to order the test.

One shouldn't wait for symptoms to occur. Should your child have CF, you'll want her to receive the best care as soon as possible to prevent lung damage, etc.
 

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
I take it that your state doesn't have newborn screening yet... Ours didn't until a few years ago.

When DS was born, I didn't have a pediatrician chosen, but a family practice doctor from our local clinic and someone from his service examined DS shortly after he was born. Our circumstances were different in that we didn't know DH and I were carriers and about 6 hours later DS started showing symptoms of a bowel obstruction/meconium illeus. But I guess would tell the ob/gyn that you'l like testing done asap when your child is born or you could ask the pediatrician who examines your child to order the test.

One shouldn't wait for symptoms to occur. Should your child have CF, you'll want her to receive the best care as soon as possible to prevent lung damage, etc.
 

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
I take it that your state doesn't have newborn screening yet... Ours didn't until a few years ago.

When DS was born, I didn't have a pediatrician chosen, but a family practice doctor from our local clinic and someone from his service examined DS shortly after he was born. Our circumstances were different in that we didn't know DH and I were carriers and about 6 hours later DS started showing symptoms of a bowel obstruction/meconium illeus. But I guess would tell the ob/gyn that you'l like testing done asap when your child is born or you could ask the pediatrician who examines your child to order the test.

One shouldn't wait for symptoms to occur. Should your child have CF, you'll want her to receive the best care as soon as possible to prevent lung damage, etc.
 

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
I take it that your state doesn't have newborn screening yet... Ours didn't until a few years ago.

When DS was born, I didn't have a pediatrician chosen, but a family practice doctor from our local clinic and someone from his service examined DS shortly after he was born. Our circumstances were different in that we didn't know DH and I were carriers and about 6 hours later DS started showing symptoms of a bowel obstruction/meconium illeus. But I guess would tell the ob/gyn that you'l like testing done asap when your child is born or you could ask the pediatrician who examines your child to order the test.

One shouldn't wait for symptoms to occur. Should your child have CF, you'll want her to receive the best care as soon as possible to prevent lung damage, etc.
 

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
I take it that your state doesn't have newborn screening yet... Ours didn't until a few years ago.
<br />
<br />When DS was born, I didn't have a pediatrician chosen, but a family practice doctor from our local clinic and someone from his service examined DS shortly after he was born. Our circumstances were different in that we didn't know DH and I were carriers and about 6 hours later DS started showing symptoms of a bowel obstruction/meconium illeus. But I guess would tell the ob/gyn that you'l like testing done asap when your child is born or you could ask the pediatrician who examines your child to order the test.
<br />
<br />One shouldn't wait for symptoms to occur. Should your child have CF, you'll want her to receive the best care as soon as possible to prevent lung damage, etc.
 

folione

New member
Did you and your spouse find your carrier genes via the standard test? If so, then the standard test seems like it ought to be adequate to discover if your child inherited one or both of them - so at least you're not asking for anything hard to justify. The value of knowing your child's status right from the start is so important, I can't imagine any rational Pediatrician not agreeing to order the test - which brings me to suggesting the most expedient path to getting what you want may be to just pick a pediatrician that works with the hospital you're going to so they can show up after the birth. Nobody says you've got to stick with them.
 

folione

New member
Did you and your spouse find your carrier genes via the standard test? If so, then the standard test seems like it ought to be adequate to discover if your child inherited one or both of them - so at least you're not asking for anything hard to justify. The value of knowing your child's status right from the start is so important, I can't imagine any rational Pediatrician not agreeing to order the test - which brings me to suggesting the most expedient path to getting what you want may be to just pick a pediatrician that works with the hospital you're going to so they can show up after the birth. Nobody says you've got to stick with them.
 

folione

New member
Did you and your spouse find your carrier genes via the standard test? If so, then the standard test seems like it ought to be adequate to discover if your child inherited one or both of them - so at least you're not asking for anything hard to justify. The value of knowing your child's status right from the start is so important, I can't imagine any rational Pediatrician not agreeing to order the test - which brings me to suggesting the most expedient path to getting what you want may be to just pick a pediatrician that works with the hospital you're going to so they can show up after the birth. Nobody says you've got to stick with them.
 

folione

New member
Did you and your spouse find your carrier genes via the standard test? If so, then the standard test seems like it ought to be adequate to discover if your child inherited one or both of them - so at least you're not asking for anything hard to justify. The value of knowing your child's status right from the start is so important, I can't imagine any rational Pediatrician not agreeing to order the test - which brings me to suggesting the most expedient path to getting what you want may be to just pick a pediatrician that works with the hospital you're going to so they can show up after the birth. Nobody says you've got to stick with them.
 

folione

New member
Did you and your spouse find your carrier genes via the standard test? If so, then the standard test seems like it ought to be adequate to discover if your child inherited one or both of them - so at least you're not asking for anything hard to justify. The value of knowing your child's status right from the start is so important, I can't imagine any rational Pediatrician not agreeing to order the test - which brings me to suggesting the most expedient path to getting what you want may be to just pick a pediatrician that works with the hospital you're going to so they can show up after the birth. Nobody says you've got to stick with them.
 
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