Re: Newborn footprints

[alan trewern]

Dear List,                     We use footprinting as part of an ID system.There is a form which includes mothers name and hospital number, baby"s name and number, birth weight,length and head circumference, the name of the midwife attaching the 2 name bands to bubs legs and the 2 footprints. The mothers right pointer finger print is also taken.We use small diposable ink pads which come in boxes of 10.The prints are also put on the back of the cot card which is the mothers to take home.These prints are done in birth suite before the bath and baby wipes tend to clean the ink off fairly well. When the baby is checked into the ward with mum,there is a space for the midwife to sign that she has checked the babes ID bands and gender.At discharge the bands are checked again and cut off in mums presence. She keeps one and the other is attached to the bottom of the above form, which mum signs to say the bands have been checked and she has the right baby. The mums are happy to have the prints taken when we explain why .We have about 1800 births per year and I've never heard of a problem with an allergic reaction.                                                                             Linda ----------------------------------------------------- Click here for Free Video!! http://www.gohip.com/free_video/ ----- Original Message ----- From: P & A Koziol To: ozmidwifery Sent: Sunday, October 28, 2001 7:46 PM Subject: Newborn footprints Dear List I am curious if anyone has experience with newborn footprinting. I understand that those who practise this use a standard inkpad. Is this a common practise or a have I just stumbled across a lone practise? Does anyone see any potential allergens created through use of the ink?? Alesa   Alesa Koziol Clinical Midwifery Educator Melbourne