Anyone else going to decline the eye gel they put in your newborn's eyes?
I just came across an article about the eye gel that they give your newborn. It is to protect the baby's eyes if the mom has an STD of some type of infection that can be picked up from the vagina.
I am having a c-section and have no STD's - so I think I am going to decline the eye gel. Going to speak to my dr. about this at tomorrow's appt. Today is the first time I have heard of this, so just wondering what others think of this.
Re: Is the eye gel for baby needed when you have a c/s??
Every baby is different. Mine did not have a reaction to the gel. You are right it's not Vitamin K. Here's what I found https://childbirth.amuchbetterway.com/newborn-baby-eye-drops-explained/
The eye gel is an antibiotic. The Vitamin K is given in a shot to help with blood clotting.
You can decline either for any reason if you so choose.
DD got the eye stuff and got the vitamin k shot. In NY (where I live) the Vitamin K shot and eye drops are mandatory- no choice here.
Title: Section 12.3 - Precautions to be observed for the prevention of hemorrhagic diseases and coagulation disorders of the newborn and infants related to vitamin K deficiency
12.3 Precautions to be observed for the prevention of hemorrhagic diseases and coagulation disorders of the newborn and infants related to vitamin K deficiency. It shall be the duty of the attending physician, licensed midwife, registered professional nurse or other licensed medical professional attending the newborn to assure administration of a single parenteral dose of 0.5-1.0 mg. of natural vitamin K(1) oxide (phytonadione) within one hour of birth.
Effective Date: 07/19/2000
Title: Section 12.2 - Precautions to be observed for the prevention of purulent conjunctivitis of the newborn
12.2 Precautions to be observed for the prevention of purulent conjunctivitis of the newborn. It shall be the duty of the attending physician, licensed midwife, licensed nurse or other authorized provider in attendance at a delivery to place into the eyes of the infant, on delivery, an agent effective for preventing purulent conjunctivitis of the newborn, such as tetracycline or erythromycin eye preparation or a one percent solution of nitrate of silver.
Ditto this. It varies by state, but in NY anyway it's basically impossible to decline (ignore my avatar, I live here too). You can ask to defer it but it needs to be done within the first hour. Neither of my children have had an adverse reaction to it. I also don't feel the need for it personally, but from a public health perspective I can see why it's mandated, and I have not found any persuasive evidence of risks associated with it.
The Vit K and eye ointment are two seperate things. The Vit K is a shot that is given to stimulate the infant's clotting factors to start, they are not born with the ability for their blood to clot correctly. The eye ointment is to protect their eyes from infection that is not only in the vagina but in the uterus and may be in bag of waters. It is standard for all babies. You can refuse this, but the risk is so minor and the benefits way outweigh the risks.
This exactly for me. but its an antibiotic not vitamin K