I am about to write my birth plan and read about the vitamin K shot after birth.
My babies in Germany did not get this. They got it oral ...
So I am a bit confused.

Could I pick the oral vitamin instead of the shot?
If so, would the pediatrician do that? Do I do it at home?

What are advantages of either?
When would they have to get the first dose (in case of choosing the oral version)?
If shot: Do they have to get it right after birth? Or could it be done before leaving the hospital?

...

Questions, questions, questions ...

Thanks for your help with that :)!
Katja

Oral vitamin K is not available in the hospitals in baton rouge that I know of.

Shot is done shortly after birth

Have you considered skipping it? IMO there are times when I think it's a good idea, like when a surgery is going to follow birth, circumcision, birth trauma. . . Otherwise, it may not be needed.

I've given the injection to a lot of babies and most of the time it doesn't really seem to bother then--'course that being said, at the time they are given this shot there is a lot going on. They are taking in a new atmosphere, being touched a lot by strangers, sitting under a warmer instead of mama's chest. . . when babies are overwhelmed they tend to shut down and try to sleep. So, maybe that's why it doesn't seem to bother them.

You may be able to ask your OB for a prescription for oral vit K and ask that he write an order for you to be able to administer it. People do get orders for home meds in hospitals. I've never heard of this with vit K, but you could try it.

http://www.mothering....

http://birthfaith.blo...

http://www.birthingna...

I would ask your pedi in advance of birth so he/she can plan for this since Oral isnt routine; however, i believe you should be accommodated. A few years ago at Woman's hos., a mom declined the vit k shot, but the pedi wouldnt let her leave without the oral.

I just declined it since we did not have a circumcision done. The Ped on staff gave me a real hard time about it though. It was in my birth plan, and I just stuck to my guns. She couldn't give me a reason to do it, she just kept saying he Needed it.

I don't want to skip it - I just want to decide between shot or oral :).
My preemie had a couple of grade I cerebral hemorrhages (with no effects at the end, but still ...) - and I just don't want to take a risk with baby girl ...

I had talked to my pediatrician about it and he said that the shot is used because it works better than oral vitamin K. Well, in other countries they take it the other way around ;).

Thanks for the links Jackie! I'll read through them!

I agree w/ Amanda's suggestion of getting the ped to write an order. I would do it ahead of time b/c it will likely need to be a special order. I have worked postpartum in a few hosp. here and Indiana and have never seen a hosp. carry the oral.

If you want to do oral you may have to get a prescription and have it filled to bring with you. Most hospitals do not carry oral so you will have to bring it yourself which is a whole new ballgame of fussing about. If you don't want the injection simply decline it. You will have to sign the waiver saying you refused in most cases, and then you can just administer to correct oral dosage yourself :)