Tell me about the eye ointment

Salsera29 · March 2014

I was reading about things that happen after the birth, and they mentioned putting ointment in the babys eyes. I remember that my sister and BIL declined this. Is this something I want to research, or is it NBD?

PenelopeSnuz77 · March 2014

I'm a FTM too, but from what I've read it's to protect against gonorrhea should the mother have it. I'm going to decline it.

lindslalala · March 2014

We declined it. I don't think it's a huge deal either way, but it seemed unnecessary to me and my MW was fine with it.

Myanswer true · March 2014

I've read that its an eye irritant, and that it interferes with baby's eyesight during the "sensitive window"... however, it is apparently illegal to decline it in my state, so I guess I'm stuck.

pantherRN · March 2014

Myanswer true said:

I've read that its an eye irritant, and that it interferes with baby's eyesight during the "sensitive window"... however, it is apparently illegal to decline it in my state, so I guess I'm stuck.

Babies have not great eyesight after birth anyway, so I'm not sure how much the interference has an impact. I actually don't have an opinion on this, so I guess we'll get it. I mean, there has to be some benefit (or at least for some people) that's been researched since it's so widely used.

Myanswer true · March 2014

pantherRN said:

Myanswer true said:

I've read that its an eye irritant, and that it interferes with baby's eyesight during the "sensitive window"... however, it is apparently illegal to decline it in my state, so I guess I'm stuck.

Babies have not great eyesight after birth anyway, so I'm not sure how much the interference has an impact. I actually don't have an opinion on this, so I guess we'll get it. I mean, there has to be some benefit (or at least for some people) that's been researched since it's so widely used.

It's not a big enough deal to me for me to make a stand about it, so even though I feel like its totally unnecessary in my case (DH and I both STI free as can be), Sprout will be getting his ointment.

ETA: Blindness is some pretty serious business, so I guess I understand why they push the stuff so hard.

alyssa719 · March 2014

@salsera29, I don't think that you can decline in NJ (but not positively sure). My friend had a planned c-section, so her daughter was never even in the birth canal, and had repeatedly tested negative for STDs, and they still did the ointment.

Salsera29 · March 2014

@Alyssa719 my sister delievered here in NJ, so I guess you can. She said they gave her a really hard time about it though and they had to sign all sorts of papers.

alyssa719 · March 2014

Ohhh.. yeah, you will have to sign papers either way and some hospitals have it as their standard of care... I dunno, my friend said she wasn't given a choice (it was also 3 years ago or so), so I dunno? We are in PA and so I plan on declining, which another friend (ex-L&D nurse) said I can do, and that to make them even happier, when it gets closer to my due date to see if they want to do an additional culture that comes up negative since it's my intent.

I hope that jumble makes sense, I've had about 10hrs sleep in the past 3 days.

pfeilele · March 2014

There are pros and cons to every decision. I'd rather not risk blindness even though I am so low risk for STI's. Hospitals are dirty and you never know what nasties could be lingering. Babies are a clean slate and have no way of fighting anything off. That being said, I don't judge for declining it.

Salsera29 · March 2014

alyssa719 said:

Ohhh.. yeah, you will have to sign papers either way and some hospitals have it as their standard of care... I dunno, my friend said she wasn't given a choice (it was also 3 years ago or so), so I dunno? We are in PA and so I plan on declining, which another friend (ex-L&D nurse) said I can do, and that to make them even happier, when it gets closer to my due date to see if they want to do an additional culture that comes up negative since it's my intent.

I hope that jumble makes sense, I've had about 10hrs sleep in the past 3 days.

If I had to guess, I would say they probably present it as if you don't have a choice, and you have to be stubborn if you feel strongly about it. I hope you can get some sleep tonight!!

reils500 · March 2014

I can't remember if I declined for DS... I think I did. Hmmm I am going to ask our Pedi what she thinks

runrinserepeat · March 2014

Eh, we did it with DD and we'll do it again for this one. Just not a hill I want to die on.

BBColt78 · March 2014

I did it the first time around and will again. I've read that it does make their eyes a little blurry. I recently read that you can sometimes delay it, but get it in the first 24 hours. Maybe those who want to can skip it until baby's first nursing session in the hospital.

*LrCg* · March 2014

We've never done it. I don't have an STD, I do waterbirths and my children are born at home which is a much cleaner environment then a hospital. Most states do require it however it's like vaccines, it's required but you can very easily sign a waiver of exempt in all states.

MstoMrstoMom851214 · March 2014

I want to decline it, however I believe it is required by law in New York State. I even read online that they will call CPS on you if you insist upon the baby not receiving it. I plan on asking my doc when I get closer to delivery. If it is required I won't make a stink about it, but if we have a choice, I will be declining it. I have a lot of allergies, so I worry about an allergic reaction, otherwise it wouldn't be a big enough deal to decline it for me.

TwizzyG · March 2014

It's an amoxicillin eye ointment. It makes their eyesight (which is only good about 8-12 inches in front of their face at this point) blurry for a little while. In Missouri, we use it on all babies in all types of births, but whether or not you decline it is totally the parents' call.

Dutch Apple Pie · March 2014

My son didn't have it, they just don't give them at our hospital but I know when I was born it was standard.

Shelleybell · March 2014

we did it with dd and will do it again with dd2. Not something that is a big deal to me, it's supposed to prevent some sort of infection that causes blindness etc.

bewilderingstar · March 2014

Unlesd you have gonorrhea, its not necessary. We are declining it.

iris427 · March 2014

It's NBD and the hospital is mandated by law to do it. I'm a big believer in picking your battles, and this isn't one I would pick, personally.

cuntasaurusrex · March 2014

I'd like to hold off as long as possible, but ultimately will submit to this one.

kmawb · March 2014

DD got it when she was born (c/s) and DS will get it when he is born (VBAC or RCS). As others have said not a battle I want to fight.

cookieinva · March 2014

NBD in my book. As others have said, not worth fighting. I haven't done research personally, but typically I see people fighting or declining it because it is potentially unnecessary, not because it is potentially harmful.

bewilderingstar · March 2014

Here's a link for anyone who wants to check if their state mandates the eye goop. Thankfully RI only says it's mandated if the baby shows symptomatology of ON.

redhotmama7 · March 2014

I've also heard that if your state requires it you can wipe it off with a warm wash rag directly after the nurse leaves your room... Then you got the required eye ointment and don't have to deal with the pain of refusal... Don't know if it's true or not I'm allowed to refuse and plan to.

Most hospitals use Erithromycin from my research anyways... Which is what they give if you have pink eye... My eyes are sensitive and that stuff always burns for hours after I put it on... I'd rather not have my new baby enduring that for no reason (since I'm STI free)

TugboatSheila · March 2014

Looks like it's mandated in my state. I definitely want to hold baby first before they do anything if at all possible.

honeybee434 · April 2014

Apparently in my state if you refuse the ointment you have to write a letter within three days of birth that is turned in to the local health officer. It actually says anyone attending the birth of the child, so doesn't even specify just Dr. So that's interesting to me.

I'll probably just ask if we can put the ointment on after I hold the baby for just a bit first. I don't think I'll be in the mood to deal with all of the above, and it's not something I feel that strongly about one way or another.

Salsera29 · April 2014

Thanks for all of your input. I'll probably just go with it, because it doesn't seem like the negative effects are a big deal.

littlesparrow602 · April 2014

I have no diseases. There is no reason for my baby to have it. I'm declining it. I'm also declining the hep b shot at birth, too.

iris427 · April 2014

Anecdote time, I had a c/s with my daughter and they gave her the eye ointment before I got to hold her. It wasn't a big deal. The ointment didn't bother her and she was still very alert and looking around when I held her, and our first nursing session went fine.

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