Newborn eye gel

MamaPiers

Wondering if any of you csec moms refused the eye gel? Ive read that it's for babies who pass through the birth canal and prevents infection from chlyamidia and gonnorhea. I have never had an std and am scheduled for a csec. I'm thinking I can pass on this. Any other csec moms do so? If yes did the drs give you a hard time about it? Just wondering if it's really even necessary...

InLovewSB

I asked the registration nurse with my first RCS.  I was informed that in the state of Illinois you cannot refuse the eye ointment regardless of c/s or vaginal delivery. If you give birth in the hospital, then it is required by Illinois law.

sschwege

InLovewSB said:

I asked the registration nurse with my first RCS.  I was informed that in the state of Illinois you cannot refuse the eye ointment regardless of c/s or vaginal delivery. If you give birth in the hospital, then it is required by Illinois law.

I live in IL and have two friends who successfully refused it for vaginal deliveries.  The second friend said the hospital was required to call Child Protective Services and they 'might' make a home visit, but they never did.

kkaty

I delivered both kids in Illinois (1 mo old and 3 yo) both c-sections after 24/30 hrs labor ( so not scheduled). You ABSOLUTELY can decline ANY medical procedure - including the eye antibiotics. I declined with both kids. The hospital staff will definitely SAY lots of things like 'it's law, policy, etc' - do your research and stick to your guns. Policy doesn't always equal what's best for your baby

krazyinsane

DH and I declined it with all three kids and will again. We're in Iowa but we were planning to refuse it even had they been vaginal since I don't have gonnorhea or any STDS

nosoup4u

You can decline it in IL, I did with my second.

You might have to sign a AMA form if you do decline it.

Justabean3

It is just antibiotic gel. The same stuff they use if you have a blocked tear duct infection.

I don't understand why you wouldn't want this? It isn't like an immunization or anything.

nosoup4u

nosoup4u

Why would you have it put on your baby if they don't need it?

Justabean3

I just figure that the hospital is the #1 place to acquire sickness while there. People walk in with one thing and walk out with another from just being around all the germs.

It is just another protection against germs and infection to an area where they readily climb in.

krazyinsane

Breast milk works as well and has NO side effects.

slwprincess

krazyinsane said:

Breast milk works as well and has NO side effects.

Except that not everyone can BF and won't know it at time of delivery. Also, DD has an infected clogged duct right now that we ARE treating with BM and it's not clearing so I'm probably headed in for another dose of the eye gel. Seems silly to skip this one...

nosoup4u

The whole point of the abx eye stuff is if the mom has an STD. If the mom doesn't have one, and if it's a CS, there's no reason to get them. They aren't going to protect the baby from MRSA or staph infections.

Justabean3

Apparently in Texas you are not allowed to decline it unless you physically restrain the nurse and well I'm not doing that, haha

ufsandra85

i didnt make any requests and they didnt do it. my hospital doesnt do it for c section babies

Wyn

You can decline it in Nebraska. I did.