Not many women know that immediately after birth, they’ll have several very important decisions to make. Because of this, assumptions are often made and medical care is given to the newborn without the mother’s consent.
The best way to avoid this complication is by being properly informed before labor begins. Make sure either a partner or doula is able to voice opinions on delayed cord clamping, the vitamin K shot, antibiotic eye ointment, delayed baby’s bath, and the hepatitis B vaccine.
Newborn Care
Being a first time mom can be overwhelming. It’s almost as though flood gates are opened by the appearance of that tiny second line.
Everyone knows the obvious. No smoking and drinking while pregnant. Take prenatal vitamins each day. Labor is painful. Newborns cry a lot.
Yet, no one talks about the specific details of newborn care. There’s a gaping hole between giving birth and going home.
Few know exactly what happens immediately after the baby’s entrance into the world. And if the question is never broached, how can anyone know to look for the answer?
Who would’ve guessed there’s an extensive list to prepare for the moment of birth? And I don’t mean a “what to pack” list.
Labor requires more decisions than what hospital to go to and who’s the best person to assist with the delivery. It’s more than giving birth and joyously pulling a screaming newborn into your arms.
Unfortunately, many medical establishments don’t want women to know the full extent of decisions they need to make. And if a woman does bring up the topic, they downplay the side effects of certain procedures.
There are healthcare providers who will go so far as to point the conspiracy theorist finger when someone questions their philosophies. Even when scientifically researched statistics and facts are presented.
There have been countless situations where serious matters about newborn care were approached during the most intense moments of active labor. Or while the woman was trying to come back to herself after pushing a tiny human into this world.
Some may hate the notion, but what happens on the day of birth requires extensive research. Without the knowledge of what decisions need to me made, you may be pressured onto a path that otherwise would’ve been avoided.
Delayed Cord Clamping
Delayed cord clamping is the practice of allowing blood to pass from the placenta to the baby before clamping the umbilical cord. DCC is incredibly beneficial to a newborn infant. It makes the most noticeable difference in premature babies.
A good practice is to wait until the umbilical cord stops pulsating. This may take 3 to 5 minutes. To make sure all the blood has passed from the placenta to the baby, it’s best to wait until the cord is white and limp.
At my second birth, the midwives immediately handed me my son. After the placenta was delivered, they wrapped it and placed it on the bed next to me. (Kind of gross to think about, I know.) They did a few minor, noninvasive checks on me and the baby, and then left the room for an hour to allow bonding.
Many hospitals claim they implement this practice of delayed clamping. In reality, less than a minute goes by before many will apply the clamp. They’re on a schedule after all.
Benefits
Allowing all the blood to pass to the baby before clamping the umbilical cord can increase an infant’s blood volume by up to a third. Iron storage also increases by 40 to 50 mg/kg and this decreases the risk of iron deficiency anemia. An adequate amount of iron is vital for healthy brain development.
Risks
Thanks to the WHOs advice on cord clamping, it’s not often that a hospital will fight DCC. When they do, they claim there are three possible risks:
Hyperbilirubinemia– caused by a buildup of bilirubin (jaundice). May require phototherapy to reduce the level of bilirubin.
Polycythemia– an excessive amount of red blood cells. May cause issues with circulation and breathing.
Respiratory distress– arises when there isn’t enough liquid coating in the lungs to keep the alveoli and airways open. The increase in blood volume from delayed clamping may lead to a delayed absorption of lung fluid. This could cause transient tachypnea.
However, according to the American Pregnancy Association,
…significant research does not support the risk of these conditions on babies receiving DCC.” (1)
Others claim delayed cord clamping can cause an increased risk of postpartum hemorrhage in the mother. Again, according to the American Pregnancy Association,
There is no statistical evidence proving that DDC results in an increase in blood loss. There is also no significant difference between regarding blood loss greater than 500ml between early and delayed cord clamping.” (1)
Vitamin K Shot
Babies don’t begin to produce their own vitamin K until they are 8 days old. Because of this, hospitals administer a vitamin K shot within hours of the baby being born.
Today, it’s typically administered intramuscular. This is done to help assist in blood clotting and prevent internal bleeding of the brain.
The bleeding may be caused by trauma during birth. Most often from the use of forceps.
The use of a vacuum and long, strenuous labor heighten the chance of trauma induced bleeding as well.
Benefits
According to research, 5 out of 100,000 babies who didn’t receive the vitamin K shot suffered from internal bleeding of the brain. Whereas, incidences of late VKDB was less than 1 in 100,000 when infants did receive the shot. This rare occurrence may lead to permanent brain damage or death.
Risks
As the only vaccine with a black box warning, the risks of the vitamin K shot create a shocking contrast.
(source: Merck & Co., INC. PDF)
Danger #1– Though rare, infants have been recorded to go into anaphylactic shock and cardiac arrest immediate after the injection. (2)
The insert for this shot even issues a warning,
severe, sometimes fatal, allergic reactions when injected into a muscle or vein, and is ideally taken by mouth or injected under the skin.”
Danger #2– The amount of vitamin K injected into baby is 20,000 times more than the normal level in a newborn. It’s possible to overdose when there’s too much vitamin K in the system.
Danger #3– The ingredients. To list a few:
Polysorbate 80– assists in agents crossing the blood-brain-barrier. May permit toxic chemicals, such as heavy metals, into the brain.
Propylene glycol– the same ingredient that is in antifreeze.
Aluminum– can be acutely toxic in high doses.
Phenol– according to the CDC it’s a “flammable, highly corrosive chemical” and “may cause irritation to the skin, eyes, nose, throat, and nervous system”
Alternative Options
It’s hard to get over the fear that has been drilled into our heads by the medical industry.
Fortunately, there are other options besides giving the vitamin K shot or giving nothing at all. There are oral vitamin K supplements that work great.
Beware, some hospitals may not let you leave without the shot. Others will require that a paper be signed that waives their liability. Make sure this is part of the research done while choosing a birthing location.
Also, they may not allow the administering of a supplement. They most certainly won’t guide you on how to use it.
If vitamin K supplementation is the path you choose to take, speak to a midwife or natural health practitioner for assistance. Or, read how the Danish administer vitamin K.
For those who want to circumcise, doctors may tell you they can’t do the surgery without the shot. Mine threatened if I didn’t do it before I left, that my insurance company wouldn’t cover the bill. That there were no surgeons that would be willing to help me without complying.
That was a fear mongering tactic. There are doctors that will circumcise without vitamin K. They only require that you wait until day 8.
Antibiotic Eye Ointment
Standard procedure in hospitals call for the administration of Erythromycin to every newborn.
At my first birth, my doctor informed me that it was to prevent blindness. A result of being infected by a mother with chlamydia or gonorrhea.
She looked dumbfounded when I asked why I would give it to my baby. After all, I had tested negative for both.
Benefits
Administering antibiotic eye ointment upon delivery prevents infections. Both from STDs and more minor causes.
Risks
By administering eye ointment immediately after birth, it can blur the babies vision. This impedes the baby and mothers ability to bond.
There are studies showing that giving the eye treatment before a baby has nursed for the first time makes it more difficult for them to see and latch onto the mother’s breast.
Not only do antibiotics kill harmful bacteria, they kill beneficial bacteria as well. They also carry the risk of causing birth defects, allergic reaction, and in some cases death.
There are times when antibiotics are necessary. Nevertheless, we live in a time of a global threat of antibiotic resistance in children. If there’s no chance of your baby being exposed to these two sexually transmitted diseases, why treat for it?
Delaying Baby’s Bath
Delaying a bath for newborn infants is worth considering. This allows the vernix, a protective layer similar in appearance to white Gouda cheese, to absorb into the skin. Bathing too soon after birth also wipes away the good bacteria babies’ skin naturally contains.
Benefits
Hospitals use bath products that contain fragrances, chemicals, and parabens. Not what a newborn needs to have soaking into their bodies.
Instead, rubbing this creamy substance into the baby’s skin works like an amazing moisturizer. Some believe it may even contain vitamin K.
Vernix also acts as an antimicrobial covering the skin. A great benefit in fending against lurking hospital infections.
Risks
Yeah, sorry I have nothing for this one.
Hepatitis B Vaccine
Hepatitis B is a highly infectious disease that causes damage to the liver. Some people who are infected with this disease are sick for a few weeks. Others have the chance of a serious, lifelong illness.
Hepatitis B is passed through sexual contact and sharing needles. It can also be passed from the mother to the baby during labor.
Fortunately, Hepatitis B is very rare. Occurring in about 1 in 100,000 women.
Nonetheless, it’s standard hospital care to give babies the Hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth. This provides protection to the baby for an average of 12 years.
Benefits
The CDC states that the Hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective. They believe that when administered within the first 24 hours, it decreases the amount of incidents reported.
Risks
Some vials of the Hepatitis B vaccine contain Thimerosal. This is a mercury-based preservative.
Serious allergic reactions have been recorded after a dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine was administered. Doctors are supposed to advise against receiving a second dose in the event that this occurs.
With this knowledge, the question must be asked. Do we expect our day old baby to be sexually promiscuous or use intravenous drugs? There’s always the possibility of our children going astray, but before the age of 12? 15?
If not, then why risk the side effects?
Think About It
No matter what’s presented, the benefits need to be weighed against the risks. The choice is yours to make, of course, but wouldn’t you like to make it based on your own judgement?
Doctors may mean well, but they don’t have the right to make life changing decisions for you and your baby.