Vitamin K shot?

[foodmachine]

So what's the pros and cons of, and/or alternatives to this shot for a NB?
And if I remember correctly I got a shot of something after DD's birth...something to stop the bleeding. Any thoughts on that one?

Tia.

[nia82]

The shot that you got is Pitocin, to make the uterus contract and hence clamp down the vessels that are bleeding in your uterus. I held out for a while after DS's birth, but it became clear that it was necessary.
The vitamin K shot is given as science found infants to be low in vitamin K which aids at blood clotting. There is a low risk of brain hemorraghe and such in newborns. We opted against it and rather purchased oral vitamin K. You have to adminster that three times throughout the first weeks though, but that's really no biggy.
I see you are in Sweden, I'm sure you will get your hands on oral vitamin K. It is routinely given to newborns in Germany, the brand name is Konakion (oral, from Roche). You also might be able to find a plant alternative, as we did, at www.birthwithlove.com.

http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/1699

[Angela512]

If you will be breastfeeding, you just need to eat plenty of vitamin K foods and that will get to baby via breastmilk and there is no need for the vitamin K shot. One of the concerns about getting the vitamin K shot is that sheer amount of it at 1 time. With breastmilk, baby gets a little bit each time he/she nurses.

[WifeofAnt]

From what I've heard if your baby is going through anything that might make them bruise/bleed then its probably safer to get the vit K. Vacuums, foreceps, if the baby has any bruising at birth, prematurity, loss of blood, or if the baby is getting circumcised the baby should be getting the Vitamin K. The reason for giving every newborn vit K is that they believe every newborn is deficent (most likely comparing their levels to adult levels). Its also a 'treatment' for rare clotting disorders. If you're not going to get the vitamin K unless its necessary then you can do a few other things to boost their levels like eating vegetables high in Vit K (Kale is a big one along with collards, spinach, brussel sprouts, and broccoli) in the weeks before giving birth and delaying cord clamping.

[MaerynPearl]

Originally Posted by Angela512

If you will be breastfeeding, you just need to eat plenty of vitamin K foods and that will get to baby via breastmilk and there is no need for the vitamin K shot. One of the concerns about getting the vitamin K shot is that sheer amount of it at 1 time. With breastmilk, baby gets a little bit each time he/she nurses.

or take the oral vit. k yourself, as its a bit much for a newborns tummy. My midwife has me ordering and taking it myself to pass to my DD2 through my breastmilk.

[BlackSheepPDX]

Particularly after reading this article ( http://www.drbenkim.com/vitamin-K-shot-baby.html ) I'm considering the maternal supplementation route as well. I know we declined the injection for our daughter, but would consider supplementation for me if we have a son and circumcision is in the plans.

[foodmachine]

Thank you all for the info and links. I'll tell my midwife "no vitamin K shot" and order some for myself.

[RedOakMomma]

What else is in the vitamin K shot? Additives, preservatives, that kind of thing?

[Greenlea]

Even if you decide to circumsize your son, you don't need the vit K shot, you just need to wait a little while to get the circumcision done. We didn't get the shot for our son, and had him circ'ed at 13 days old. He was fine.

[nia82]

http://web.archive.org/web/200702130...EPHYTON_PI.pdf

AquaMephyton, made by Merck, is the vitamin K shot (see package insert link above).

AquaMEPHYTON injection is a yellow, sterile, aqueous colloidal solution of vitamin K1, with a pH of 5.0 to 7.0, available for injection by the intravenous, intramuscular, and subcutaneous routes. Each milliliter contains:
Phytonadione 2 mg or 10 mg

Inactive ingredients:
Polyoxyethylated fatty acid derivative 70 mg
Dextrose 37.5 mg
Water for Injection, q.s. 1 mL
Added as preservative: Benzyl alcohol 0.9%