Heel Prick
In the first week after birth, the heel prick is routinely performed. A few drops of blood are taken from your baby’s heel. This is tested for 17 hereditary diseases. Participation is free, and your consent will always be requested first. You also always have the right to “not know.” If there is a disease you do not want to know if your baby has, tell the nurse who comes to perform the heel prick, and you will not be informed about it. However, it will still be tested.
To know exactly which diseases are being tested for, we refer you to the RIVM website and to the brochure you received from us at 36 weeks.

Hearing Screening
Often, the hearing test is done at the same time as the heel prick. This test measures whether your baby can hear well enough to learn to speak. This test is also free of charge. Normally, both tests are performed at home.