Has anyonoe said no to the Vitamin K shot for your baby at birth? I know it's a preventative thing for clotting but is it necessary? Also if you the mother doesn't have chlamydia does your baby really need the cream in their eyes after they are born?
I am a midwife and pregnant with baby #3. No, your baby does not need the vitamin K shot unless it was a very traumatic birth such as with forceps or it has a lot of bruising on its face. You might consider vitamin K if you have a boy and are going to circumsize him, however if you wait 8 days to circumsize you don't need the vitamin K. Some studies have even shown that vitamin K increases the chance that your newborn will develop jaundice. If you are going to breastfeed you yourself can eat lots of foods rich in vitamin K and this will be passed onto your baby. I have not given the vitamin K shot to my children but then again I give birth at home. If you do not have chlamydia or gonorrhea then there is absolutely no reason that your baby needs erythromycin put in its eyes. Tell your doctor and write up a birth plan stating you do not consent to these things for your baby. Also, you should consider whether or not you want your baby to have a Hepatitis B vaccine at birth. Unless you have hepatitis there is no reason your newborn needs this vaccine until they are grown. And one other thing the hospital will do is when you get ready to deliver they will pour betadine on your vaginal area. They do this because they think the vagina needs to be "cleaned" or "sterile" when the baby is born. There is no reason for this and it will sting your baby's eyes as it is being born. Have you considered a midwife or a homebirth. A lot less red-tape to go through. Your wishes are respected and research has shown that for healthy mom's birth with a midwife is safer and healthier for the mom and the baby.
Lisa