U1
The U1 examination is the very first assessment your child will receive after birth, and its purpose is to identify any external abnormalities or conditions that may require immediate treatment in order to prevent complications.
To ensure that your baby adapts well to life outside the womb, the newborn's adjustment after birth is documented using APGAR scores at 1, 5, and 10 minutes. During this time, the baby's heart rate, breathing, skin color, muscle tone, and response are all carefully watched. A blood sample is taken from the umbilical cord, and the pH is measured. A full physical exam will be performed where your baby's measurements and weight will be taken. With your consent, the first dose of vitamin K will be given to prevent internal bleeding.
In the following three days, additional check-ups are highly recommend to ensure your little one's overall health. These assessments include testing for critical congenital heart disease, metabolic disorders, and cystic fibrosis. A newborn hearing test and pulse oximetry screening are also valuable measures. Moreover, your midwife/ doctor will provide you with guidance on nutrition, addressing your preferred feeding methods, whether it's breastfeeding or any other form.
The next important check-up will be the U2 Examination, which takes place between day 3 and day 10. If you plan to have a home birth or prefer not to stay in the hospital, it is essential to talk to your future pediatric praxis and midwife well in advance. They can guide you through the process and determine if the pediatrician can conduct the U2 examination and newborn screening. In most cases, doctors are more than willing to collaborate with midwives to ensure that the newborn screening blood test is properly administered.
Please remember that your doctor and midwife are there to address any concerns or queries you may have. Never hesitate to reach out to them.
If you decide not to stay in the hospital for the U2 Examination, make sure to contact your pediatrician soon after birth. If needed, a trusted family member can also take care of this appointment on your behalf.
Ressources:
https://www.g-ba.de/downloads/62-492-3190/Kinder-RL_2023-05-12_iK-2023-07-13.pdf