Anyone skipping erythromycin eye ointment?

Bambina54 · September 2012

I talked to my OB (but will talk to the pediatrician too) about skipping the erythromycin eye ointment with this baby since my first had a reaction (red, puffy eyelids with little pimple-like bumps). My OB said that a reaction is actually fairly common and it burns similar to getting soap in your eye! Ugh. I want to do more research on the risks of skipping this step, but wanted to check and see if anyone else is skipping/has skipped this and if you feel pressured into doing it.

firewife1982 · September 2012

What was your OB's opinion?

poison489 · September 2012

I want to skip it, but my husband is insisting that we use it. There is really only a risk if you have an unknown case of Chlamydia. It can cause blindness in newborns. The crazy thing is they started proactively offering it, but in all reality there would be signs of a problem and you could then use the cream to stop the problem. My husband is being so insistent because when DS was born he ended up getting a clogged tear duct, he is convinced it could have been much worse if he had not gotten the erythromycin cream when he was born. I personally don't like proactively prescribing an antibiotic because of all of the super bugs out there.

nanabanana06 · September 2012

I am skipping it. It was meant originally for women who had gonorrhea. Since when babies pass through the birth canal they would catch it and it would turn them blind. Eventually the ointment would be a trigger for people to know who the "diseased" women were. So they started making everyone do it. Some states let you skip it, others you have to really fight to skip it. I do not have any STD's, so there is no point for my baby to have the ointment. So I am passing on it.

Bambina54 · September 2012

poison489:

I want to skip it, but my husband is insisting that we use it. There is really only a risk if you have an unknown case of Chlamydia. It can cause blindness in newborns. The crazy thing is they started proactively offering it, but in all reality there would be signs of a problem and you could then use the cream to stop the problem. My husband is being so insistent because when DS was born he ended up getting a clogged tear duct, he is convinced it could have been much worse if he had not gotten the erythromycin cream when he was born. I personally don't like proactively prescribing an antibiotic because of all of the super bugs out there.

Does he know that the ointment can actually cause clogged tear ducts?

Bambina54 · September 2012

Nana_Osaki06:
I am skipping it. It was meant originally for women who had gonorrhea. Since when babies pass through the birth canal they would catch it and it would turn them blind. Eventually the ointment would be a trigger for people to know who the "diseased" women were. So they started making everyone do it. Some states let you skip it, others you have to really fight to skip it. I do not have any STD's, so there is no point for my baby to have the ointment. So I am passing on it.

After doing a few quick searches I think I'm on the same page as you. I know I don't have gonorrhea or chlamydia so I think it seems unncessary. I'm going to keep searching and double check with the pediatrician just to see if they have any really convincing reasons to use it (though I doubt it).

nanabanana06 · September 2012

Bambina54:
Nana_Osaki06:
I am skipping it. It was meant originally for women who had gonorrhea. Since when babies pass through the birth canal they would catch it and it would turn them blind. Eventually the ointment would be a trigger for people to know who the "diseased" women were. So they started making everyone do it. Some states let you skip it, others you have to really fight to skip it. I do not have any STD's, so there is no point for my baby to have the ointment. So I am passing on it.

After doing a few quick searches I think I'm on the same page as you. I know I don't have gonorrhea or chlamydia so I think it seems unncessary. I'm going to keep searching and double check with the pediatrician just to see if they have any really convincing reasons to use it (though I doubt it).

I would also look at your state laws regarding this issue. Some states still require you to have it done. If that the case then you may have to really fight or be really firm to not have it done.

Bambina54 · September 2012

firewife1982:
What was your OB's opinion?

He didn't really seem to lean one way or the other which makes me think it is not as necessary as some make it seem. I say that because I know him well and he doesn't hesitate to tell me when he feels strongly about something.

Bambina54 · September 2012

Nana_Osaki06:
Bambina54:

Nana_Osaki06:
I am skipping it. It was meant originally for women who had gonorrhea. Since when babies pass through the birth canal they would catch it and it would turn them blind. Eventually the ointment would be a trigger for people to know who the "diseased" women were. So they started making everyone do it. Some states let you skip it, others you have to really fight to skip it. I do not have any STD's, so there is no point for my baby to have the ointment. So I am passing on it.

After doing a few quick searches I think I'm on the same page as you. I know I don't have gonorrhea or chlamydia so I think it seems unncessary. I'm going to keep searching and double check with the pediatrician just to see if they have any really convincing reasons to use it (though I doubt it).

I would also look at your state laws regarding this issue. Some states still require you to have it done. If that the case then you may have to really fight or be really firm to not have it done.

It's not required (Minnesota) so hopefully the hospital staff respect our wishes without a fight.

nanabanana06 · September 2012

Bambina54:
Nana_Osaki06:
Bambina54:

Nana_Osaki06:
I am skipping it. It was meant originally for women who had gonorrhea. Since when babies pass through the birth canal they would catch it and it would turn them blind. Eventually the ointment would be a trigger for people to know who the "diseased" women were. So they started making everyone do it. Some states let you skip it, others you have to really fight to skip it. I do not have any STD's, so there is no point for my baby to have the ointment. So I am passing on it.

After doing a few quick searches I think I'm on the same page as you. I know I don't have gonorrhea or chlamydia so I think it seems unncessary. I'm going to keep searching and double check with the pediatrician just to see if they have any really convincing reasons to use it (though I doubt it).

I would also look at your state laws regarding this issue. Some states still require you to have it done. If that the case then you may have to really fight or be really firm to not have it done.

It's not required (Minnesota) so hopefully the hospital staff respect our wishes without a fight.

Yeah, in our state we have to sign a waiver. Which I'm cool with.

Malone81 · September 2012

with my DD i asked my ob if i could skip it and she said it was hospital policy to use it (I delivered in NYC). i didn't fight her on it. I plan on asking my new ob before i deliver this baby since we are in a new town and hospital.

poison489 · September 2012

Bambina54:
poison489:

I want to skip it, but my husband is insisting that we use it. There is really only a risk if you have an unknown case of Chlamydia. It can cause blindness in newborns. The crazy thing is they started proactively offering it, but in all reality there would be signs of a problem and you could then use the cream to stop the problem. My husband is being so insistent because when DS was born he ended up getting a clogged tear duct, he is convinced it could have been much worse if he had not gotten the erythromycin cream when he was born. I personally don't like proactively prescribing an antibiotic because of all of the super bugs out there.

Does he know that the ointment can actually cause clogged tear ducts?

I did bring this up with him, since my sister also had her son get a clogged tear duct after having the ointment put in his eyes. He thinks that it not possible. I have tried finding scientific proof to show him, but it isn't listed in the side affects. Does anyone have any good links for this and other reasons to avoid using the cream? DH is very fact driven.

littlemac1117 · September 2012

Nana_Osaki06:
I am skipping it. It was meant originally for women who had gonorrhea. Since when babies pass through the birth canal they would catch it and it would turn them blind. Eventually the ointment would be a trigger for people to know who the "diseased" women were. So they started making everyone do it. Some states let you skip it, others you have to really fight to skip it. I do not have any STD's, so there is no point for my baby to have the ointment. So I am passing on it.

Yup.

littlemac1117 · September 2012

Nana_Osaki06:
I am skipping it. It was meant originally for women who had gonorrhea. Since when babies pass through the birth canal they would catch it and it would turn them blind. Eventually the ointment would be a trigger for people to know who the "diseased" women were. So they started making everyone do it. Some states let you skip it, others you have to really fight to skip it. I do not have any STD's, so there is no point for my baby to have the ointment. So I am passing on it.

Yup.

ChristyML · September 2012

I plan to pass on it as well, since I know that I don't have any STDs. I think I might have to sign a waiver though which is fine.

sschwege · September 2012

We did it because I was paranoid and didn't really feel like making a big deal out of it. We will probably do it this time around again. I wanted to say that I was on erythromycin when I had an eye infection and was BFing. It's not their first choice to treat eye infections, but they know it's safe. It didn't burn or feel like I was putting soap in my eye, just blurred my vision briefly. DD was a newborn at the same and was treated with the same eye ointment because she had it too and she never cried or indicated that it bothered her. I know that's just my own experience, but I guess I'm just trying to say I don't think it burns for everyone.

hmontty · September 2012

Yeah, we did with DD, and no issues. If you have been tested for all VDs and know you are clean, there's no reason for it.

LadyNikon · September 2012

Is that the crap they put on the babies eyes just in case the mom has some sort of STD? if so. I skip it. It isn't medically needed.

ObLaDi · September 2012

Anyone know what the state policy is for MA?

I'd prefer to skip it.

dragonfly17 · September 2012

I'm sKipping it. I don't have any STD's, and if I did it would have shown up on. Y blood work.

MelleTX · September 2012

It is actually used to treat other bacterial infections that could be found in the vaginal canal other than STDs.

I found this Q&A to be helpful.

https://www.ivillage.com/routine-use-eye-antibiotics-newborns/6-n-136806

I am not skipping it.

nanabanana06 · September 2012

MelleTX:
It is actually used to treat other bacterial infections that could be found in the vaginal canal other than STDs.
I found this Q&A to be helpful.
https://www.ivillage.com/routine-use-eye-antibiotics-newborns/6-n-136806
I am not skipping it.

Honestly, they barely say anything other than the STD standpoint in that article. They didn't say anything about what other kinds of infections can hurt their eyes. Instead they said "run-of-the-mill". That isn't telling me the actual infection, or it's side effect. Also some hospitals don't even use the gentle antibiotics mentioned, they use silver nitrate. It honestly was meant for women with STD's back in the day. The only reason they make people do it is for cases that aren't screened and cuz back in the day those babies were considered "dirty" from coming from a woman with an STD. So instead of planting a giant target on people, they just do it for everyone.

Eveanyn · September 2012

You can decline any medical procedure. It's in my birth plan that I will sign the waiver to decline it.

LoveActually4 · September 2012

You may want to consider it also if you are Strep B postiive. Babies can acquire both staph and strep infections through the vagina during delivery although these infections aren't considered to cause as serious consequences as STDs.

shutupanddance07 · September 2012

The ointment is a protective measure to prevent permanent blindness in newborns from the STDs gonorrhea and chlamydia. If you are GBS positive you should have a dose of IV antibiotics during labor and your child will be treated and monitored after birth. The eye ointment isn't intended to treat GBS bacteria.

I have already signed my waiver to skip the eye ointment. I don't want to give my kid any medications he doesn't need, and that goopy junk can't be comfortable even if it doesn't burn. I don't have an STD, and they'll test me to be on the safe side before I deliver. If you are in a monogamous relationship, and neither of you has an STD, your child doesn't need the ointment.

janecanadian · September 2012

I am using erythromycin eye ointment right now because my DD stuck her finger in my eye and gave me a corneal abrasion. The ointment does not hurt, burn or sting and the blurryness does not last very long. A few blinks and I can see fine. I have also had to give it to DD when she had an eye infection and she didn't complain at all. It's so easy for infections to spread in hospitals, I won't be opting out of it.

FutureMrsBB · September 2012

Bambina54:

It's not required (Minnesota) so hopefully the hospital staff respect our wishes without a fight.

I was just about to look this up since I too live in MN so thank you Smile

PeonyPumps · September 2012

I don't believe we could have skipped it entirely, I think we had to have it, but for DS we certainly delayed it. He was able to see me and see my face while I held him for almost a half hour to an hour before they took him to another part of the room to check him over and do some of their tests. Everything else they did in my arms, and we waited on the drops.

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