Pregnancy and Newborn Screening
This section provides general information on tests available during pregnancy and for newborn babies.
Newborn Babies are offered a series of routine health checks in the first few weeks of life.
Newborn Blood Spot Screening
Commonly known as the 'heel prick test', blood spot screening is usually carried out around the fifth day of life. Further information on the screening programme in Scotland is provided in A parent's guide to newborn blood spot screening (2007).
Hearing Screening
Information for parents-to-be and parents of newborn babies can be found in Your baby's hearing screen (2007). This booklet explains the quick and simple test used to check the hearing of newborn babies.
If your baby has been referred to the audiology clinic for a further hearing test, Your baby's visit to the audiology clinic (2007) explains why this test is needed and what is involved.
Further information for parents and families of babies who have a hearing loss is contained in Your baby has a hearing loss (2007). This booklet answers some common questions and describes support available for you and your baby.
Tests offered During Pregnancy:
Routine Blood Tests
The Guide to routine blood tests offered during pregnancy (2007) provides information on the blood tests usually performed at one of your first antenatal visits.
Spina Bifida & Down's Syndrome
A Guide to the Screening Test for Spina Bifida and Down's Syndrome (2007) provides background information and and details of the tests available.