Antibiotic Eye Ointment?

Stephij1

Are any of you refusing the eye ointment for your LO after birth? If so, why? I've read about many people who are refusing it, but nobody has given a reason. I may or may not refuse it, but I'm wondering how other people feel about it. I will, of course, be asking my doctor about it at my next appointment.

MrsG.060708

I didn't, and I don't see anything wrong with it. It's to help with LO getting an infection from all of the fluids that get on them while travelling through the birth canal.

zhirsch

I'm probably going to decline it. You only need it if you have gonorrhea or chlamydia, both of which are easily tested for. If you have it, it can be passed to the baby when it's coming out the vaginal canal and cause blindness - if you don't then there's really no reason for it. Most nurses just do it automatically without even thinking about it. A lot of times they even do it for c-sections, in which case baby wouldn't have come in contact with the bacteria anyway. They're just on auto pilot. The eye drops do sting, which is why a lot of babies seem to get puffy around the eyes after getting them. They also cause blurred vision, and since babies can't see very well anyway it takes away that sense even more. I certainly think that it's one of the lesser evils, and not something to be too worried about either way, but just something that it's good to know you're allowed to refuse if you see fit. 

retroruby

I heard it blurs their vision even more which makes breastfeeding more difficult

emmyloustu

We delayed it for a bit wit DD and will do the same this time. I can't remember how long we delayed, but it was after we had some time for skin to skin, nursing, etc...I think they might have done it after her clean-up and bath which was maybe an hour or so after delivery?

firsttogo

Just do your research. We have had experience with an eye infection that when cultured was determined to likely be from bacteria found in the human intestine... not from gonorrhea or chlamydia. The eye ointment would likely have prevented that. I will not refuse it for any future children Birth is messy, and baby can and often does come in contact with lots of bacteria on the way out. Would you refuse antibiotics from GBS? 

txhottie

We are delaying it for 1 hour so that we can try to breastfeed and interact with our baby! It does blur vision, but prevents bacterial infections that can lead to blindness, which is why we will do it. As PP said birth is messy and you never know what bacteria is floating around. Do your research!

Shaynnon

I declined.  Unnecessary.  I know I don't have any STD's without doubt.

I also declined the Vitamin K shot...the risks IMO outweighed the benefits, and I decided the less that they do to my DD the better.  I was actually commended by a couple of the nurses and even a midwife (in confidence) for my decision to research it and decline it.  Make your own decision based off reputable articles but I would suggest looking into it instead of blindly agreeing.

....and the Hep B shot (until later..alternate vaccine schedule).

StephCHK63

You might want to check your local statutes on this.  In Illinois it's a state law that they have to apply it within an hour of birth.  My midwife told me that to decline, we would run the risk of someone at the hospital calling DCFS.  Not that they would take away your baby just for that, but it could cause a big hassle for you at the hospital.  To me, a little eye ointment wasn't worth that risk and hassle - we're asking for it to be delayed for an hour during bonding time.

sunandsurfmama

Stephij1:

Are any of you refusing the eye ointment for your LO after birth? If so, why? I've read about many people who are refusing it, but nobody has given a reason. I may or may not refuse it, but I'm wondering how other people feel about it. I will, of course, be asking my doctor about it at my next appointment.

We will be declining. I have never tested positive for an STD and do not want to expose my LO to an unnecessary dose of antibiotics. We have the refusal stated in our birth plan and will also have to sign a refusal at the hospital.  

It is a personal decision and you should research it thoroughly (all sides) before making a choice. 

CircleInTheSea

StephCHK63:

You might want to check your local statutes on this.  In Illinois it's a state law that they have to apply it within an hour of birth.  My midwife told me that to decline, we would run the risk of someone at the hospital calling DCFS.  Not that they would take away your baby just for that, but it could cause a big hassle for you at the hospital.  To me, a little eye ointment wasn't worth that risk and hassle - we're asking for it to be delayed for an hour during bonding time.

In Illinois, you can decline...but I agree that it is a hassle (and it is state law, although rarely enforced....).  I think you legally have to submit a birth plan to the hospital prior to labor, but you CAN decline any procedure (it's just all about the paperwork.) We did not decline with our first two partly because the first time around I didn't question ANYTHING and with our second, I actually tried the stuff and it didn't sting, was GBS positive and it was a procedure we were comfortable with for that birth.  This time we're doing a home birth, so we won't be doing the eye ointment. 

 https://www.vaclib.org/exempt/illinois.htm

 

kris_kelsey

Nurse here.  We are not on auto pilot.  Erythromycin is a standing order in each medical facility and is in accordance with the Department of Health.  We are very conscious of the fact that c/s babies with intact bag of waters are getting E-mycin.  It is a matter of risk versus benefit by making it a standing order for all babies.  It is not fair to say that "it is because the nurses..." as though we have no clue what we are doing and why.  We follow standing orders, inform the parents what the medication is for, and the parents give consent for medication to be given.  That being said, I refused Emycin for my son. 

Sharra711

zhirsch:

I'm probably going to decline it. You only need it if you have gonorrhea or chlamydia, both of which are easily tested for. If you have it, it can be passed to the baby when it's coming out the vaginal canal and cause blindness - if you don't then there's really no reason for it. Most nurses just do it automatically without even thinking about it. A lot of times they even do it for c-sections, in which case baby wouldn't have come in contact with the bacteria anyway. They're just on auto pilot. The eye drops do sting, which is why a lot of babies seem to get puffy around the eyes after getting them. They also cause blurred vision, and since babies can't see very well anyway it takes away that sense even more. I certainly think that it's one of the lesser evils, and not something to be too worried about either way, but just something that it's good to know you're allowed to refuse if you see fit. 

All this! Even after my section they wanted to give it to DD. My OB was like "Oh, OK, that works" but make sure the nurses know.

studyinpink

kris_kelsey:

Nurse here.  We are not on auto pilot.  Erythromycin is a standing order in each medical facility and is in accordance with the Department of Health.  We are very conscious of the fact that c/s babies with intact bag of waters are getting E-mycin.  It is a matter of risk versus benefit by making it a standing order for all babies.  It is not fair to say that "it is because the nurses..." as though we have no clue what we are doing and why.  We follow standing orders, inform the parents what the medication is for, and the parents give consent for medication to be given.  That being said, I refused Emycin for my son. 

dedekins1001

We are delaying also.  Bonding, and breastfeeding first then the baby can have a bath, vit K, and eye drops.  

 

As a nurse too, way to go kris_kelsey 

eli_and_jeff

kris_kelsey:

Nurse here.  We are not on auto pilot.  Erythromycin is a standing order in each medical facility and is in accordance with the Department of Health.  We are very conscious of the fact that c/s babies with intact bag of waters are getting E-mycin.  It is a matter of risk versus benefit by making it a standing order for all babies.  It is not fair to say that "it is because the nurses..." as though we have no clue what we are doing and why.  We follow standing orders, inform the parents what the medication is for, and the parents give consent for medication to be given.  That being said, I refused Emycin for my son. 

Wait....It's erythromycin?? I wasn't going to refuse, because I think a little extra protection is ok by me, but almost everyone in my family (including me) is severely allergic to e-mycin. I don't want my LO to break out in hives all over. Are there alternative antibiotics or is that the only one?  

I'm so glad I peaked in here, I'm definitely asked my doctor about this tomorrow!

 

Ripli

I'd be refusing it if I could. I have no STDs so there's no reason for my LO to have it, but I live in NY and here its the law that you have to have it. 

ASmallWonder

My two cents here is that unless you were tested for an STD the day before the birth and/or your husband literally never leaves your side, get the ointment.  I love and trust my husband but I trust no one (except myself) to the degree that I would risk even a minute chance of something hurting my child that I could have easily prevented.

Jen&Peter

I have scheduled c-sections and still do not refuse the eye ointment.