Vitamin k injection - birth plan help

[Can87]

Hi all

I have just been talking to a friend who has a 9month old Dd, about my birth plan (which as very little in it at the moment) and she mention that I should put in here if I'd like my baby to have the "vitamin k" injection after the birth.

I've heard nothing at all about this injection, and it's never been mentioned by my midwife etc. I've had a quick look on google and can see various good & bad things about the injection, but wondered if anyone has been told about this by their midwife/doctors and have any helpfull information?
Is this something others have put in their birth plans?

At 41 weeks I probably should have spoken to her about this before!! :) thanks xx

They should discuss it with you really. I was given a leaflet.

It's to stop a rare condition which could lead to haemorrhaging in the baby. It can be extremely serious but, as I say, rare. I couldn't find anything which put me off my baby having it last time so he did, and we'll do it again this time. Apparently you can give it to them orally but it's over several doses which you have to do at home and I think we'll have enough to contend with! Also I'm not sure how you'd administer it if you're BFing.

I was asked at the birth if it was ok to give the injection, so yes, you do need to have made a decision.

There was a thread on here recently about drops versus injection if you do a search.

Ok thanks guys, I did do a search before posting but couldn't find anything so I guess I did this wrong. I'll have a hunt around for the previous thread.

If the baby doesn't come before my next midwife appointment I will definitly have a word with her about it as chairman said I'm surprised the midwife hasn't mentioned it previously!
Thanks xx