Has anyone else refused Erythromycin (eye goop)?

[JFTB1177]

I just had a home birth last Monday, and my ds seems to be a picture of perfect health! Right after I gave birth my midwife asked if we wanted the eye goop (DH and I had been undecided) and he said no, so we didn't.

So my son is about a week old, and me, being the paranoid person I am, am second-guessing our decision. I know I don't have any STD's (was screened during pregnancy while I was with my OB, before I switched to a midwife), and DH and I are monogomous. But I am so used to covering my bases by getting it all done, it's bothering me.

My son seems to have amazing eye contact and he looks perfect... would I know if he had some kind of infection in his eyes? I can't help being paranoid (but then again I am a paranoid person!). Can someone make me feel better?

[mysticmomma]

He's fine! You're doing great and he's at very low risk. If you notice an infection brewing, then it would be appropriate for antibiotics. I refused for both of my kids.

[Beckamomof4]

He is fine! I wish with my 3 I had known I could refuse it. I will be more adamant with this one, not letting him get any shots or eye junk in the hospital!

[Dabble]

Another "He's Fine!" here! You followed your instincts, and they guided you perfectly.

[yeahwhat]

I refused with 4/5 of my kids. I didn't know I could the first time. No eye infections. You'll know if the bay is getting an infection. Redness, green or yellow goopiness, eyes being stuck together after a nap. That said, don't panic if the baby gets a clogged tear duct either. It's not the same as an infection.

[alegna]

If you know you don't have an STD that's all that matters.

Didn't do it with either kid.

-Angela

[JFTB1177]

Thank you guys so much! I know I don't have STDs, but I am just paranoid. I guess I worry he could have an infection and I wouldn't know it... I did find this on the web that makes me think an infection would be obvious:

I couldn't find numbers, but all authors agree that it used to be a primary cause of blindness -- 1965 Universal Home Doctor
gonorrhea It has been calculated that this disease accounted for one third to one half of all the persons in blind asylums, so destructive of sight it is; but now that it is more vigorously dealt with and is notifiable by doctors and midwives its incidence has been kept down. [This was written in 1930.]
It was a very obvious infection and very difficult to treat.
Delee's Obstetrics for Nurses (1937 edition):

[gonorrhea] quickly sets up a violent inflammation of the conjunctiva. at first the lids grow red , then there is a thin, irritating discharge, with yellowish flakes. After a few hours this becomes purulent and th lids become so swollen that the eyes are closed. Unless active and constant treatment is instituted, the inflammation gains headway, the cornea may ulcerate, leaving ugly scars which shut out the light, or the lens may escape and the whole eye be destroyed. A large part of the blindness in the world is caused by this dreadful affliction, and it is primarily venereal in origin. pg 496-497
There is a HORRIBLE picture of a baby with the disease -- eyes --really the entire upper face -- swollen and distorted, red, oozing yellow pus. Believe me, it looks nothing like any conjunctivitis I have ever seen. I can't imagine anyone not noticing it, or ignoring it.
The treatment in those days consisted of frequent "irrigations" with warm saline and/or applications of ice packs made of sterile saline poured over sterile ice cubes. The nurse applies these "ice-cold pledgets (cotton balls) on the lids, changing them every minute, and throwing the waste into a paper bag at the side. The order may be to keep up the application of cold for twenty-four hours and not to interrupt it while the child is nursing." And days and weeks of constant care were required to fight the infection, prevent eye damage and attempt to prevent its spread to the family and caregivers.

It's really very sad to see the pictures in this book.

Contrast this treatment with a later book- Handbook of Pediatrics (1975: post-penicillin)-- "The prognosis with treatment is generally very good, and cure should result within two to four days."

-http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/eyeointm.html

I know I seem like a crazy person, but I guess I'm just one of those people that needs constant reassurance!

[wbg]

None of my 4 kids had it.
You are a great, informed, loving Mama.
You will know if your LO is getting an infection and can treat it then. No need to give it drugs unless you feel there is genuine concern.
Go enjoy your baby!!

[imbarefoot]

I don't have any STD's so I didn't get it with either of mine! It's just your mommy worries kicking in. But like the others said, he's fine!

[koalove]

that eye stuff is to prevent ghonnoreah (sorry, i know that was spelled really wrong!) in his eyes. you dont have it. end of story! babe is fine! you did the right thing by protecting him, imo.

[sweetcheeks]

I refused it with my babes . . . don't worry, mama, he'll be fine! Enjoy your new babe! Congrats!

[Sk8ermaiden]

I don't have gonorrhea, so I absolutely will not get goop.

You know you don't have it! There is no way for the baby to have gotten it if you don't have it. Stop worrying.

[JFTB1177]

Thanks everyone... you are right, I am just SO paranoid. lol