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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

vitamin k injection

14 replies

pud1 · 09/01/2008 14:51

i am due in a few weeks and have thought about the vitamin k injection. i know why they do it but i was wondering if any one had decided against the injection and gone for the oral option. i just dont see the point of injecting a new born.

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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ILikeToMoveItMoveIt · 09/01/2008 14:54

I think that if there is an immediate problem, the injected vit k works faster than the oral. Also, I think the baby has to have a second dose if you go for the oral option.

This is only from memory though.

singyswife · 09/01/2008 14:55

tbh they are screeming when they come out anyway and dont notice it. I certainly dont remember my dd's being bothered by it.

TheBlonde · 09/01/2008 14:59

might didn't scream on arrival

both of mine had the oral (which is done in 3 doses)
I would have considered having the injection if they had had a traumatic delivery

stripeymama · 09/01/2008 15:00

I opted to have neither for dd. My personal view is that if all babies are born with 'low' levels of vitamin k, there is probably some reason for it that we do not understand, and that its therefore not necessary to supplement.

More information here.

stripeymama · 09/01/2008 15:01

And mine did not scream as soon as she was born either.

She looked a bit surprised.

TooTicky · 09/01/2008 15:02

Did you get the guilt talk Stripeymama? We did.

ILikeToMoveItMoveIt · 09/01/2008 15:02

Stripey - the link isn't working. Can you please check as am interested, ta xx

stripeymama · 09/01/2008 15:04

It works for me but here it is again.

If it still doesn't work, its the AIMS information on vitamin k - try google.

lilbuddy · 09/01/2008 15:05

we have opted for oral option as we figured the initial injection is such a high dose. If she does need it then we are more than happy for the 3 oral supplements over the 30 days (well, I think that is how it works!)

Original poster

pud1 · 09/01/2008 15:29

will have a look at the link. tbh i am not some sort of hippychick that will refuse drugs and medical intervention i just done see the point of an injection if it can be done oraly and if the only drawback is having to remember to have 2 more doses then so be it

OP posts:

TheBlonde · 09/01/2008 15:36

I would have happily forgone the oral dose too but DH disagreed

madmouse · 09/01/2008 18:32

My view is the same as stripeymama, ie I believe there must be a reason...I have requested oral vit K so at least they do not have to prick a hole in my new baby. Have considered saying no but find it a bit scary. Will go for injection in case of forceps etc.

I had expected more common sense from the Dutch (I am originally Dutch) but they give the poor kids daily vit K drops for 3 months , crazy people.

stripeymama · 09/01/2008 18:38

I just don't get how they can say all babies have a 'low level' of vit k at birth. Surely that makes it a normal level for a baby?

I am a bit of a lentilly hippychick, but on this one I do think that the available evidence does not indicate a need for vit k to be given to all babies. I can see that in cases of traumatic/premature/otherwise risky delivery, it could be beneficial, but not for every healthy baby.

bohemianbint · 09/01/2008 18:39

I didn't give any Vit K to DS at all. I know it is because babies are thought to have low levels of Vit K, but that's in comparison to adults, which made sense to me, so I didn't see the point. (I read more about it than that!) I also didn't feel it was a great way to welcome my new baby into the world! DS was completely fine, btw.

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