Two things to consider for your birth plan

[CarrieCo]

There were two things that came up while I was in recovery and the babies were in the nursery that I did not know about....

First was the DNA sample .... we told them to wait till the PKU test on the second day so they could use that same blood for the DNA sample kit that we got to bring home.

Second was the dye -ing of the umbilical cord .... I was not really understanding what they were asking, so my husband told them to do it, but they put an antisceptic dye on the umbilical cords. I don't really think it's necessary, but it was done anyway. The one question I did ask was if there was antibiotics in it, and they didn't know the answer and had to look it up. They said there wasn't, but who knows?!


Also, one baby product that we didn't have that is useful is vaseline in a squirt style tube..... to keep the marconium from sticking on their bottoms.


Hope that is helpful for you ladies who haven't had your babies yet!

[mommy2two babes]

I just wanted to add that an oil like jojoba works equally as well at stopping the mec from sticking to little bums.

[notjustmamie]

I've heard good things about olive oil for meconium as well.

Why were they collecting a DNA sample? I've not heard of that as a routine procedure.

[Rose-Roget]

Anyone know if those oils or Vaseline could be used with cd?

Thanks for the other advice!

[by-the-lake]

The antiseptic dye is not antibiotic, but something like crystal violet, (think high school biology/microbiology) and is being phased out in other parts of the country. Its also refered to as triple dye, or blue coat in the veternerary world. Its suppose to inhibit bacterial growth

Thanks for your insight CarrieCo and congrats on your little ones!

[by-the-lake]

Originally Posted by Rose-Roget

Anyone know if those oils or Vaseline could be used with cd?

Thanks for the other advice!

Just tossing in that I used no oil or vaseline with the cloth diapers and they came clean just fine

[jess5377]

This is the first I'm hearing about sticky meconium....is it really tacky/hard to get off baby's bum?

[Fujiko]

About the DNA for those who are confused...when dd was born they put some of her blood on this little card and gave it to us so that if something happened to her (like she was kidnapped or something), we had a sample of her DNA. Don't know if this is what the OP is referring to. They don't have their own copy of her DNA, just us.

(ETA: Whoops, just realized this was a DDC. Sorry for the crash!)

[notjustmamie]

Originally Posted by jess5377

This is the first I'm hearing about sticky meconium....is it really tacky/hard to get off baby's bum?

Yes, it can be really sticky and hard to clean up, especially if you don't catch it right away. I believe the usual comparison is to tar.

[jess5377]

Originally Posted by notjustmamie

I believe the usual comparison is to tar.

Oh, fun.

[Daisie125]

Originally Posted by jess5377

Oh, fun.

I think some people have a harder time with it than others... I've never had an issue at all.

[beckyand3littlemonsters]

antiseptic dye never heard of it

Originally Posted by jess5377

This is the first I'm hearing about sticky meconium....is it really tacky/hard to get off baby's bum?

ddc crashing yes it's very sticky, like a pp said like tar, i've never used anything to stop the sticking never thought to, sounds like a good idea though.

[mommy2two babes]

Not sure about the cloth but that could be a reason to use one package of sposies in the first few days.
I found especially with boys with swollen testes ( from our hormones) it was really hard to get off them. The oil did wonders with it not sticking so much to him.