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Newborn Screen
Please read the disclaimer. The Metabolic Newborn Screen, also known as the heal stick or heal prick test, also known as the PKU, screens your baby for disorders that are not part of the genetic testing that can be done during pregnancy. It is done by poking the baby’s heal and making it bleed, much like a finger prick to test blood sugar. The blood is collected on a specially treated paper and sent to a lab in Baton Rouge (or Little Rock if in AR). The lab screens for 28 different disorders. A full list of the disorders with their…
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Vitamin K
Please read the disclaimer. Two Things There are two parts to this, but they fit together. First, babies are born Vitamin K deficient. Second, Vitamin K is essential for blood to clot. Lets look at each separately, then put them together to see why it is recommended that all babies are given Vitamin K after they are born. The Problem Bacteria in our intestines produce Vitamin K during digestion. However, since newborns have never digested any greens, they have not had the opportunity to manufacture the bacteria that produces any Vitamin K. They are born Vitamin K deficient. Eating foods…
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Group B Strep
Please read the disclaimer. Group B Strep (or GBS) is a bacteria that lives in our large intestines. We all have it. It is part of our normal gut flora. Sometimes, this bacteria travels from the anus to the vagina. When it does, there are no symptoms. No odor. It may come and go, and come back again. In fact, the only way to know when the vagina has been colonized with GBS is to test for it. It is not sexually transmitted. It is not a matter of cleanliness. Most of the time, it is not an issue. The…
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The Gestational Diabetes Screen
Please read the disclaimer. It is what it is. It is standard practice in obstetrical and midwifery care to offer a Gestational Diabetes Screen at around 26-28 weeks of pregnancy. A screen determines if you are at risk for a condition. When the risk is determined, then a test will be performed to confirm the diagnosis. The GD screen consists of taking in 50 grams of sugar quickly, and having a blood draw to be analyzed an hour later. The 50 grams of sugar is usually in the form of the glucola drink. For perspective, Arizona Southern Brewed Sweet Tea…
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Why See an OB
Why? Midwives offer the same tests and ultrasounds along the same timelines as obstetricians. Midwives are trained to perform physical examinations, including pelvic exams, and perform the same ongoing risk assessments during the course of pregnancy. In most states where home birth midwifery is legal, the client never needs to see a doctor at all. Why is it that the client in Louisiana needs to see an OB before they can start their care with a midwife? Some history… Louisiana was one of the first states in the US to legalize home birth midwifery during the ’80s. The concept of…