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Newborn Screening- Resources for Midwives

Newborn Screening- Resources for Midwives

  • Midwives and community birth providers are essential in supporting the health and well-being of newborns. Approximately 300 Michigan newborns are identified with disorders on the newborn screening (NBS) panel annually. Michigan law mandates that all birth attendants offer newborn screening.

    This webpage provides information and resources specifically designed for those collecting newborn screening blood spot specimens in community birth environments.

Guides and Trainings

  • Image of Newborn Screening Guide for Homebirths

    Michigan Newborn Screening Guide for Homebirths

    This comprehensive guide provides detailed instructions for community birth providers on the process for collecting newborn screens in Michigan. This document is updated quarterly to include up-to-date information. 
    NBS Guide for Homebirths
  • Image of Newborn Screening Online Training Course

    The Newborn Screening Educational Online Tutorial

    Three Michigan newborn screening courses can be accessed online and offer nursing contact hours. Titles of the trainings are: 

    • Newborn Screening - Michigan (includes information on blood spot screening and the Michigan BioTrust for Health consent process)
    • Critical Congenital Heart Disease
    • Sickle Cell Disease - Pain Management
    The Newborn Screening Educational Online Tutorial
  • Image of BioTrust Homebirth Consent Instruction Sheet

    BioTrust Consent Homebirth Instruction Sheet

    After newborn screening is completed, left over blood spots are stored. The BioTrust is a program that oversees the research use of these stored blood spots. The choice to participate in this de-identified research can be made by parents around the time that blood spots are collected for screening. This document provides instructions on how to complete the consent process with clients. 
    BioTrust Consent Homebirth Instruction Sheet

Introducing Newborn Screening to Clients 

As trusted providers, it is important for community birth providers to educate their clients about newborn screening throughout their pregnancy. Early education allows families to recognize the importance of screening and have their questions answered prior to collection. Resources are available to help you introduce the screening process to families.  More information on newborn screening education can be found under the "Prenatal Education Resources" tab of this webpage.

 
  • Screenshot of Expectant Parent Brochure

    Information for Expectant Parents Brochure

    This brochure provides comprehensive information about newborn screening and is designed for use in the prenatal period. 

    English 
    Spanish
    Arabic

  • Screenshot of Roadmap Infographic

    Newborn Screening and BioTrust Roadmap Infographic

    This infographic walks families through the process of newborn screening and their choices for left over blood spots after screening is complete. 

    English
    Spanish 
    Arabic

  • Screenshot of What to Expect Infographic

    Newborn Screening- What to Expect Infographic

    This infographic explains what families can expect for their child's newborn screening and includes a list of conditions that are tested for. 

    English

  • Image of the Michigan Newborn Screening List of Disorders

    List of Newborn Screening Disorders

    Families may have questions about what disorders are included on the Michigan newborn screening panel. The link below includes information about all of the conditions and fact sheets that provide more information about these health problems. 

    List of Disorders and Fact Sheets

Newborn Screening Collection Resources

Ordering Newborn Screening Kits

  • QR code to access NBS online ordering form for midwives

    Midwives are required to have a supply of homebirth kits on hand for the collection of newborn screens. The kits contain necessary items to perform the specimen collection, as well as educational information for the family.

    Orders for NBS kits can be placed online using the QR code on this page or directly on the online ordering form. They can also be placed by printing the newborn screening ordering form. For questions related to kit orders, please call 517-335-1400 or email NBSorders@Michigan.gov.

    Payment for screens are made to the newborn screening program by the family. The newborn screening program does not bill insurance. Payment options to review with clients are included in the kit. Payment options include:

    • Online payment.
    • Invoice mailed (if invoice is selected, family is unable to pay with a credit card).
    • Fee waived for qualifying families.

      The following resources are helpful to navigate newborn card payment for community births:
      Payment Flow Chart for Newborn Screening Cards
Image with timeline for shipping newborn screening specimens in Michigan

Newborn Screening Results

Newborn screening lab reports are mailed or faxed to the submitter once testing is complete. A statement of understanding form must be completed to receive results via fax. 

MDHHS Statement of Understanding Automatic Fax Transmission Option
Carefully review results with the family. If follow-up requests are made, such as obtaining a repeat collection, complete those steps as quickly as possible.

The NBS Program ensures that all infants with positive newborn screens receive rapid follow-up through a designated coordinating center. If a strong positive result is detected, the primary care provider and/or community birth attendant is immediately notified. Notification includes the screening results, action required, and the designated coordinating center contact information. The coordinating centers are responsible for arranging prompt medical management that includes confirmatory diagnostic testing, clinical evaluations by medical specialists, and treatment. To learn more information about Michigan’s follow-up coordinating centers, including contact information, please click here.

Parents Choices After Newborn Screening

  • After newborn screening is performed at the state laboratory, any unused blood spots (including parts of blood spots) are stored for up to 100 years. Stored blood spots can be used in a few ways:

    • The MDHHS State Laboratory uses blood spots to complete quality control and improvement projects to improve newborn screening tests. 
    • Families can request that blood spots be returned to them for personal use. 
    • Families get to decide if blood spots left over after screening can be used in de-identified research through the BioTrust for Health. The decision is documented on the BioTrust Consent Form, which is attached to the newborn screening kit. 

After newborn screening is complete, clients may also choose to have the leftover blood spots destroyed or request that they be returned to their family for personal use. These options ensure that families have autonomy over the storage and use of blood spots. Storage and consent decisions can be changed at any time by completing the forms listed below:

Point of Care Screening Resources

  • Critical Congenital Heart Disease Screening

    Congenital heart defects are the most common group of birth defect. Critical congenital heart defects (CCHD) are one of the most significant causes of infant death in the United States. Screening for CCHDs using pulse oximetry is a mandated part of newborn screen in Michigan. Michigan offers community birth attendants the opportunity to obtain pulse oximetry equipment to community birth attendants as part of a loan program.

    To learn more about Michigan CCHD screening, please visit the CCHD Website. 
     
    Critical Congenital Heart Disease

  • Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program

    Community birth providers contribute to the holistic care of expectant mothers and newborns and can have a positive impact on the long-term outcomes for children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Michigan has a mandated hearing screening and reporting system. Therefore, each community birth provider should have a procedure in place to assist families in obtaining a hearing screen for their newborn.

    To learn more about the Michigan Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program, please visit the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program website.
     
    Early Hearing Detection and Intervention

Navigation: 

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Updated 09/25/2025