Vitamin K - what is the source of nhs supplies?

[burmesegrumbler]

I have asked my midwife, my doula, my doctor, I have googled, wikipedia'ed and read scientific papers, yet still have no idea where my (or any) nhs healthcare trust get's it's vitamin k and what source it is derived from. Does anyone know? I only take supplements for myself if I know they are derived from natural sources. I would find the decision whether to allow my baby to receive vitamin k (whether orally or via injection) an awful lot easier if I knew who supplies the nhs and how they produce their vitiman k for newborns. Hoping someone can enlighten me.......

Konakion MM Paediatric made by Roche, you need to ask your pharmacist!

Erm...you do know that there's a lot of 'natural' toxins and a lot of man-made innocous stuff? Just because something is derived from natural sources doesn't necessarily mean it's safer, and vice versa.

Thanks, just googled Konakion MM, it's derived from the gall bladders of cattle (see the link below) - now I'm really worried - license for pharmaceutical companies to print money springs to mind.
www.radmid.demon.co.uk/vitk.htm#veg

I had a look and the vit.K injection is not derived from cattle bladders- only the oral is. Are you vegetarian? Because it's still 'natural'. Plenty of medecines are derived from animal products.
Also there seems there was only one study done in the 70s about possible link between vit.K and leukemia, which has since been disproved.
While I stay clear from unnecessary vitamin supplements for babies etc, it seems to me there really isn't much to worry about here.
It's very standard and there has never been any great controversy about it, like , say, about MMR.
Also, it will be a bit difficult for you if your baby ever falls sick in the future (I mean, catches even standard bugs) as sometimes you will have to use medecines that are much more 'artificial' than vit.K.

Hi Winnybella,

Thanks, precisely why I want to know where and how the NHS Vit K supplies are sourced, then I can do some reading and make an informed decision for myself and my child (I do have a BSc from Imperial College and am always curious about sources of supplements and meds), rather than being dictated to by the NHS.

Who knows where the NHS non animal Vit K is sourced and derived??

Thanks Leonie, did you have a natural birth?
I'm thinking to skip the vit k if my planned natural birth goes well and there is no trauma to the baby.
If c section, epidural, forceps or the suction/plunger thingy are required, I am uncertain.

If your midwives are hospital based they will be supplied vitamin K from the hospital pharmacy. The hospital pharmacy will have a medicines information pharmacist whose job it is to answer questions like yours from the public and health professionals. Speak to your hospitals medicines information pharmacist and they should be able to give you a full and accurate answer.

Thanks Pipsy, will do.