Did anyone do Oral Vitamin K instead of the Vitamin K shot for their newborn?

[Perseids]

I started working on a formal birth plan worksheet tonight and I came across information about the Vitamin K shot. I personally am needle-phobic and opting for an all natural birth (barring emergencies). After some research online I discovered that there is an option to have vitamin k delivered orally for a few weeks after birth instead of being given in an injection right away. Honestly, I don't like the idea of my child coming out into a completely foreign environment and being inflicted with needle pain right away (especially if it proves to be unnecessary). Adjusting to life outside the womb will be harsh or confusing enough. From what I read it seems like infants are given an adult dose of vitamin k in the injection...that doesn't seem to sit quite right with me right now. I am a first time mom, so, I want to make sure I make informed, healthy choices.

Anyway, I'm wondering if anyone opted for the oral vitamin k? Or, what was your experience with your infant receiving the vitamin k injection? I will obviously bring this up with my care provider, I would just like to hear the first-hand experiences of others as well.

Thanks!

 

[Creative]

I'm still up in the air. I believe that although Vit K is routinely given oral and intra muscularly, that in the UK the actual registration is only for one of the two. I have yet to find out which way is licensed. That will determine my choice.
I understand what you say about needle pain, but I also want my babies first taste earth side to be of mummy milk.
It certainly isn't an easy choice.

 

[Larkspur]

I looked into oral Vitamin K but ultimately decided against it based on a) it being less effective and b) actually amounting to a higher overall dose of Vitamin K.

My LO had the Vitamin K injection after birth, he did not even seem to notice. To be honest, after my experience of natural birth, nothing really touched the sides, so to speak, for a few hours afterwards. I had a third-degree tear that I did not even feel, nor the injection for the placenta delivery, and I barely felt the injection for the spinal block for when I was stitched up. Natural birth is such a full-on experience, and you are absolutely saturated and buzzing out with an insane rush of hormones afterwards (same for baby) that pretty much everything else seems irrelevant.

Recently in my country a baby was not given the Vitamin K injection at birth, and died a month later. The parents made an 'informed choice' not to give the baby any, based on internet research, despite multiple doctor recommendations to have it done. Personally, I think 95 percent of internet 'research' on this kind of stuff is bullshit scaremongering that endangers children's lives, but I realise others will disagree.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/he...ld-have-been-saved-by-vitamin-K-coroner-rules

 

[Creative]

Just looked it up. In the UK only konakion is licensed for oral use and IM. Other brand Vit K is not licensed for oral use.

 

[Pearls18]

DS had the injection and so will DS2, I believe there is a legitimate argument to babies not needing it at all if the birth was straightforward (but I haven't looked into this so implore you to do your own research if you consider not giving it) but from my understanding the oral vitamin k is really ineffective and to me wasn't worth it, because I'd decided to give vitamin k I knew the most efficient way was by injection. I don't even remember him having it done, he didn't cry as he was so dosy after the birth, but if something is in their best interest I'm not going to worry about an injection, if you don't think it's necessary then that's a whole other thing

 

[Creative]

Thanks, today has made me opt for IM. I shall update my birth plan now!.

 

[OpheliaVY]

This article made me rethink the vitamin K shot. My baby will def be having it now.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news...disorder-after-parents-refuse-shots-/2750023/

 

[chulie]

Are there any Canadian women here??? Our babies don't get this do they?? My daughter never received it but was never given the option? Is this something not done in Canada?

 

[BunnyN]

I believe there is very little need for it with a straightforward birth and decided not to have it unless there were interventions like forceps involved. MY labour was very long and baby came out with very squished head so i decided to have it at the last minute just to be on the safe side. It was oral because thats what the MW had.

 

[BunnyN]

This article made me rethink the vitamin K shot. My baby will def be having it now.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news...disorder-after-parents-refuse-shots-/2750023/

What gets me about this article is that is compleatly unscientific, there may be something in it but as it is presented is really not much better than the anecdotal scaremongering that it is being so scathing about.

 

[xx Emily xx]

I'm a NICU nurse and give vit k IM injections regularly and will be choosing this for our baby. It's over in seconds, and you know baby has had it all. Problem with oral is they don't always swallow, they are sick and you don't know how much they actually got of the dose. Besides the fact it's more than one dose.

Em xxx

 

[TicToc]

I have done hours and hours of research on this and decided that I will do oral and then take K supplements myself while breastfeeding. We may consider the shot only if I have the baby very early or need to be on antibiotics close to the end, as these things can interfere with babies ability to start producing K on it's own after birth. The shot is an absolute last resort only if we feel the baby is at high risk of developing clotting issues. Sorry, I didn't save any links to share.

 

[OurLilFlu]

Chulie I'm a postpartum nurse in Alberta and it is definitely given in the hospitals. The injection is explained and consent is usually given. We do not supply the oral kind they have to get that after discharge. Some babies don't even notice, but most cry because they're leg is being held down. It's over in a second.

I didn't read that whole article but that is what you're profilactically treating, bleeding disorders in the newborn. Its not a acare tactic, this is what happens, babies dont have enough vitamin K to clot their blood. In my eyes, there is nothing that will provide the earliest most effective protection against any kind of hemorrhage... Birth trauma or not. Often the kids with bruising or burst blood vessels you won't be able to truly see until several hours after anyways and internal bleeding is never known.

I personally don't understand people who refuse it. Yes it's rare that major bleeding occurs but this is a sure fire way to prevent it from causing harm to this little one you spent 9 months creating.

 

[BunnyN]

I think the majority of hemorrhage in term infants is caused by birth trauma. As I say I didn't refuse Vitamine K when LO was born. I know the purpose is to prevent hemorrhage, I just thought the article was badly written, not at balanced or helpful. I think some parents worry about giving vitamine K because really very little is known about the effect it has. Just being told it is important and harmless and that you are being stupid to ask questions doesn't always sit right when there is little research and balanced information available. I suffered serious side effects from medication a doctor insisted was safe so now I tend to question and research everything I take or give LO. I did decide to go ahead with vitamine K for LO and wouldn't tell anyone they shouldn't but I understand why people question it.

 

[Pearls18]

Out of interest (and I will be opting for the vitamin K injection again I'm not looking to be swayed just interested) are there any "risks" associated with the injection, or is it just because people don't like the idea of what could potentially be an unnecessary injection if there is no birth trauma?

 

[BunnyN]

I don't think there are any particular known risks. Of course the injection does contain preservatives but the oral probably does too (I'm not sure about that). And it is always possible that a child could have an allergic reaction to something in it but that is unlikely. I don't think there has really been much research done on it so some mums worry about more subtle side effects it might have that are unknown and would rather avoid it if it's not needed. It's not really known why newborns have such low levels of vitamin k and what effects a high dose has on the body so some people prefer to trust nature has it's reasons unless there are specific reasons to do otherwise. People tend to think that vitamin suppliments 'can't hurt' but some vitamins that used to be said to be harmless are now thought to be linked to things like cancer in high doses. I am not saying that I wouldn't do vitamin k because of it or that others shouldn't just what some peoples reasons ares are.

 

[Hope115]

Another NICU nurse here- my baby will be getting the vit. K shot- i have seen perfectly healthy babies that were in their rooms with their mother be rushed to usand bleed out right in front of me the percentage is low but not worth it ( the whole benifits outweigh the risk motto). I dont know if there is new research but i remembering reading in the past that they found the oral vit. K to be not as effective. We r seeing an increase in numbers of babies dying from this with the recent worries ppl have with vaccinations and shots. Iv seen alot of happy endings in the NICU as well as many sad ones- a baby bleeding to death is one of the worst. Sorry for being so morbid- its just when u see it with ur own eyes its no longer a question.

 

[OurLilFlu]

Exactly! And by healthy, was there any birth trauma? Sometimes there is no rhyme or reason for internal bleeding and then it's too late...

It kills me to know that it takes lives to make people realize that these injections and vaccinations do provide protection. I'm sure you've seen an increase in whooping cough etc too right? We had a baby die from that also in the last year...

 

[BunnyN]

I really do respect and value your perspective. And as i say, we decided to give our LO v K. I do think though that there is usually more than one side to an issue and parents who come to a different conclusion should be respected. I have had had serious side effect to medications and found it very hard to get a doctor to take me seriously. I had to stop breathing infront of a doctor for him to believe me. I also had a bad reaction to a vaccination when I was younger. While reactions like that are rare they are possible so deciding what the best treatment is in any situation can be a complex issue.

 

[Hope115]

Ourlilflu- no there wasnt any apparent trauma as for wooping cough- yes we have had a few deaths where ECMO couldnt save their life becuz their sibling or parent wasnt vaccinated.

Bunny- i completely respect every parents decision and know that every parent wants what is best for their children. But i also think that since vaccinations our parents generation and our generation has been "protected" enough that we r forgetting that vaccinations save lives.... There was a time when parents feared for their children and worried if they would make it through polio season with becoming paralyzed . Unfortunately vaccinations only work with herd immunity- and with fewer ppl being vaccinated there are increasing cases of whooping cough, flu, measles ect taking lives. I work with over 100 nurses ( not counting doc, respiratory therapist etc..) and i dont know one that doesnt vaccinate- and its because we see what happens with our own eyes and it is devastating and frustrating at times. Im not saying the medical field is perfect- but i know that i love my job and sometimes it can be hard to sleep at night when u have done all u can to save a life but it just wasnt enough

That being said- every parent will make the decision that is best for them and their family and i respect it- i cant say i always agree- but i do respect it