Vitamin K injection

[stacie-leigh]

Good morning :wave:

I've just been reading some threads and now I'm wondering why a vitamin k injection is given to the baby after she is born? I've never heard of it before

x

 

[ke29]

Its because their blood doesnt automatically clot as quick as ours would and the birthing process can cause small bleeds in the brain so it helps to clot quicker

 

[stacie-leigh]

Oh right, thank you Is the injection just routinely given then? x

 

[Ju_bubbs]

You can opt for her not to have it if you dont want her to - just make sure what ever you decide is in your birth plan

 

[sammiwry]

At my antenatal class on Saturday we were told it can be given as an oral drop instead of the injection but would need to be done again at 7 days old and about 3 weeks old, but if you chose the injection it's just the one injection

 

[Tea Monster]

You have the choice of the one-off injection or a series of oral meds. The injection will protect the baby much quicker than the oral doses and so is the usual way of giving it.

It's all to try and prevent something called "haemorrhagic disease of the newborn" (ie bleeds in the brain) which these days is rare (thanks to the injections!) but can (in the worse cases) be fatal.

And be careful what you read: there were some scare stories in the 80's about a link between the injection and leukaemia but there have been huge studies in Europe since then involving tens of thousands of babies which completely disproved the initial worry, it's really very safe and there's no reason not to get it.

 

[booflebump]

It can be done by injection within the first hour after birth, or orally over a period of time x

 

[kizzyboo]

EXTRACTED FROM: https://www.nhs.uk/Planners/pregnancycareplanner/Pages/Babystests.aspx


We all need vitamin K to make our blood clot properly if we cut ourselves or have an operation. Some newborn babies have too little vitamin K. Although this is rare, it can cause them to bleed dangerously into the brain. To prevent this your baby should be offered vitamin K. There are two ways of giving vitamin K, by injection, as a single dose or by mouth as multiple doses. Discuss with your midwife or doctor the best method for your baby.

 

[stacie-leigh]

I don't have a clue where to start with my birth plan, I keep thinking about it but I just don't know where to start............

Does anybody know if their are any cons to baby having this injection?

 

[rainbowchild]

This is what the NHS Pregnancy book says:

Vitamin K
You will be offered an injection of vitamin K for your baby, which is the most effective way of helping to prevent a rare bleeding disorder (haemorrhagic disease of the newborn). Your midwife should have discussed this with you beforehand. If you prefer that your baby doesn’t have an injection, oral doses of vitamin K are available. Further doses will be necessary.

HTH

 

[Pixxie]

Everyone else has pretty much covered it as far as I'm aware there are no proven side effects to the injection xxx

 

[rainbowchild]

My friend who breast fed was given a full bottle of Vitamin K to feed bubba with everyday.

 

[stacie-leigh]

Thank you everybody xx

 

[SBB]

I don't have a clue where to start with my birth plan, I keep thinking about it but I just don't know where to start............

I'd download or find a template birth plan online and work through it thinking about/researching each point and your plan will come together!

X x x