Vit k or not...

[naturalthinker]

Okay, i finally found my answer to if i'm doing the vit. k shot / oral drops / nothing debate.

http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/vitktop.html had clear, concise info that wasn't filled with statements sounding like they stem from paranoia.

And yes, despite this being kid #3, i still had to look it up again. i did oral for #1, shot for #2 (though i think i requested only half dose or something) and i'm planning for none this time (unless there is unforeseen injury or trauma as a result of this birth). It was the statement that vit K passes easily in breast milk that swayed me to abstain this time around. That and a 'hunch' less will be best for this kid.

[naturalthinker]

So i talked with midwife at apt last week and she said that vit K didn't pass through breastmilk easily... WTH?

She said le leche league agreed and wondered where i got my info (above). What info do you guys have on the Vit K issue? Please share?!?

[mama_daba]

what i have read is vitamin k will pass but only if you take really really high doses i forget how high but much higher than what the bottle says is the recommended dose.

[Usually Curious]

I don't think there's any reason to get a vit. k shot unless you are planning on circing before the 8th day (when babes naturally can clot their own blood). I think the 'birth trauma' is a weak reason as I imagine that is very rare.

[Jenlaana]

I am not doing Vit K, unless we have a traumatic birth of some sort. Its generally unnecessary IMO unless there is some sort of trauma to the baby during delivery that requires it. Like many "standard proceedures" in birthing these days, its one of those things that was put in place for high or specific risk/rough births and then just done to every baby because its easier than them having to actually evaluate the situation (like eye goop).

[abc123xyz]

My midwife agress that Vitamin K is passed through breastmilk and is the best form of receiving it. I am very against giving it! Babies are not born deficient in anything and everything they need is in breastmilk. The best vitamin supplements are the ones you receive from your food. So, if breastmilk is the food designed for babeis, then they are receiving what they need from it. Also, the AAP reported that the number one suspect for childhood lukemia is the vitamin K shot. They also say that the shot is a way for medical professionals to protect themselves in case they were to drop your baby or cause some sort of way for your baby to bleed internally. If you maintain that you do not want the cord clamped until the blood has returned back to your baby's body and you are the only one who has contact with your baby and your attempt to breastfeed quickly after birth, I don't see any reason to administer the shot. Our midwife actually makes us sign a waiver IF we want it not the other way around. That is how against it she is as well as the eye ointment. So, I think you have the right intuition. Good luck with your research though! I hope you fiugre it all out!!!
~~*Kristina*~~ wife to Joe [] and expecting [] [:] 10-18-07 planning a [] and to [:] Living [:] and saying [] [] []
www.totsites.com/tot/3seawell

[kleines]

If for some reason your child does need the vitamin K shot what are the risks associated. I can't find much info.

[naturalthinker]

The risks i found were most clearly laid out in the website at the very first post, essentially that the K might disrupt the normal cell development that is still happening at such a rapid pace post birth which is why the cancer can become an issue in the future...but there's still 'uncertainty' over the whole issue and the bottom line recommendation was just to administer (if you are a physician) as is the norm so as to avoid litigation if you didn't....

I just don't like that at it's peak, the vit k is somethings like 9000 times the recommended adult concentration inside the little baby, that just seems ludicrous!

[dynamicdoula]

Originally Posted by Usually Curious

I don't think there's any reason to get a vit. k shot unless you are planning on circing before the 8th day (when babes naturally can clot their own blood). I think the 'birth trauma' is a weak reason as I imagine that is very rare.

We had a cesarean and my baby was in the nursery for a week after birth due to prematurity. We did Vit k; after all those heel sticks, and IVs, I am glad we did- but thats not to say anyone else 'should'.

[Brisen]

We didn't do the vit K this time. My mw said that unless there was an indication for it -- if baby was born bruised, for instance -- it's not needed.

We did the PKU heel pricks a few days after the birth, and it was slow going getting those circles filled. She commented that it was good that he hadn't received the vit K, or else it could have been even more difficult.

[gottaknit]

Our DS was technically in the "traumatic birth" catagory for needing vitamin K, and when we refused it, the doctor just shrugged and said OK. State law requires that they offer it, but he indicated that he didn't think it was an evidence-based medical procedure, (ie it's administered to cover Drs' butts, not because all babies need it).

[marlygf]

We did the vit K with my first but not with my second. With my first he was clotting so well he hadd so many pricks on his heel, checking sugar levels because he was over 9lbs. With my second, he bled just wonderful for his PKU. It really is interesting what the pp said about it not being evidenced based. like most dr stuff, it's traditional and so annoying!