Vitamin K Injection for baby in the first 24 hours

[K2012]

Did your baby have it? If not, why not?

We opted for drops with all of ours. There was pressure to do injection, which midwife explained was because drops were required twice so there was the risk of the second one being forgotten/refused, which makes sense. We were keen to have vit K so certainly made sure the second wasn't missed. With 15 years hindsight, and many injections later, I think I'd opt for injection now.

Do you know what, I actually don’t know if DD had it or not. I did say yes to it in my birth plan so not sure if they gave it to her whilst I was high off gas and air getting stitched up! So much happens it’s hard to keep up with what’s going on.

Yes both did.

Do lots of people really not have it?

Both of mine had the injection, once I knew the reason for it I didn't hesitate.

If you give drops and are breastfeeding you're supposed to give 3 doses. I figured injection was over and done with faster

Do lots of people really not have it?

The only mother I'm told who refused by various friends ended up with a newborn baby who had bleeding due to deficiency. (I apparently met them at some point.)

People forget the NHS likes saving money so they don't promote things unless it is necessary.

Yes. I looked at the oral dose but that seemed such a faff compared to the jab.

Honestly I don't remember the kids having it done. I think they did it when weighing them.

Thank you for all the replies 👍🏻

I didn’t say I don’t want my baby to have it, I only read about it recently on NHS website (midwife hasn’t mentioned anything about it either) and it said you can refuse to have it so just wondered why some people don’t want their baby to have it that was all.

Again thank you for the replies and have a nice day everyone 👏

Yes. Especially with how hard it is to get drs appointments atm.

All 3 of mine had the drops. I don't remember it being a faff at all.

I don’t think DC did, I don’t remember being offered it or any discussion around it

I'm going to - it seems like the most sensible option by a long way, but I totally understand why you're asking.

I opted for the drops, they weren't too faffy and I felt better about one less injection.

With DD1 I was given oral vitamin K. It was a pain in the arse, along with remembering vitamins D and all my meds. I requested vitamin K by injection for DD2.

DD definitely had vitamin K but I don't remember if it was injected or oral (her first 24 hours are an epic blur to me!)

DD2 will also have it when she arrives

Yes, my daughter had the injection, and it was super quick and easy and she barely made a murmur to be honest. My daughter was prem, but it's quite heavily recommended so she would have had it either way. Do you have some concerns?

Ummm. Yes.

@hm246

I don’t think DC did, I don’t remember being offered it or any discussion around it

If you didn’t specifically refuse then chances are they would have done it, they won’t have risked not giving it without discussion.