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Local Maternity and Neonatal System

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After the birth

Newborn Screening

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update 

Please note that there may be some changes to newborn screening as a result of the current restrictions in place. 

These necessary changes will be explained to you by your midwife.


There will be some tests that you will offered after your baby has been born.

Newborn Hearing

Your baby will be offered a test to check your baby's hearing. This is usually performed before you leave the hospital, but sometimes you may have to return to complete this test.

For more information on the test please click here.


Newborn Infant Physical Examination

Your baby will be offered a physical examination to check your baby's physical health usually within 72 hours of birth. The examination checks your baby's heart, eyes, hips and testes as well as other physical features. This is usually performed by a paediatrician or a specially trained midwife. This may be done before you leave hospital, if not where possible a community midwife may be available to complete the examination. If an anomaly is identified your baby may require further investigations and or a referral to a specialist.

For more information on the test please click here.


Newborn Blood Spot

This is a small blood sample taken from your baby's heel when it is 5 days old. The test screens your baby for 9 different conditions. Your midwife will discuss this with you and gain your consent. A midwife or specially trained maternity support worker (MSW) will perform the test.

For more information on the test please click here.

2019-07-03 (7)

Your baby is now officially an embryo and is about the size of a poppy seed.

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/4-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

2019-07-03 (4)

Your baby is now the size of a kidney bean and weighs 1g. 

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/8-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

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Welcome to the second trimester!

Your baby is about the size of a small lime and weighs approximately 14g.

You have hopefully seen your midwife for your 'booking in' appointment, if you have not yet seen a midwife please make an appointment quickly, so you can have all of your choices about screening tests explained and offered to you.

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/12-weeks-pregnant/ for more information. You can also link to the 'Pregnancy Journey' area here.  

2019-07-03

Your baby is about the size of an avocado and weighs approximately 100g. 

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/16-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

2019-07-03 (2)

Your baby has grown in length and is now the length of a small banana and weighs approximately 300g. Around this time you will be offered your '20 week' scan, also known as the 'anatomy' or 'anomaly' scan.Click here for more information about screening. 

This is a also a good time to talk and sing to your bump as your baby can now hear sounds. This is great way for you and your partner/family to bond with your baby.

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/20-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

2019-07-03 (8)

Your baby has grown again to the approximate length of an ear of sweetcorn and weighs about 600g. 

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/24-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

2019-07-03 (1)

Welcome to the third trimester!

Your baby is now approximately the weight of an aubergine; about 1kg and approximately 37cm in length. 

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/28-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

2019-07-03 (3)

Your baby now weighs approximately the same as a coconut; around 1.5kg. 

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/32-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

2019-07-03 (5)

Your baby is now around the same size as a lettuce, approximately 47cm long and weighs around 2.6kg. 

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/36-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.

2019-07-03 (9)

Your baby is now the weight of a small watermelon which is approximately 3.3kg and around 50cm in length. 

Please visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/40-weeks-pregnant/ for more information.