Ok, before I start, I understand that I may be opening a huge can of worms here. However, I feel that it’s an issue that I must address since it has taken up much of my research time lately.

I am 39 weeks now and as my due date approaches I find it more and more unnerving thinking that I am going to be responsible for another human being. A precious little one who is the product of the love between my husband and I.

After thorough research through much reliable, and I repeat reliable, sources I have decided that at the time baby Zury arrives we are going to refuse her getting the Vitamin K injection, Hepatitis B vaccine, and the antibiotic eye ointment or erythromycin.

Let me briefly explain.

The Vitamin K injection is routinely administered to newborns in case there is bleeding in the brain that cannot be stopped due to the lack of the blood clotting factor in the vitamin. This injection is, though, is 100 times the infant’s recommended daily dietary intake.

Our choice was to decline the injection and, since I will be breast feeding, opt for a diet rich in vitamin K-rich foods, like leafy greens, or taking vitamin K supplements daily or twice weekly for 10 weeks to naturally supplement the low levels in my baby. For the latter, it is recommended that I take 2.5 mg per day.

The Hepatitis B vaccine is administered to newborns to prevent a liver infection and which symptoms may include fever, malaise, fatigue, jaundice, abdominal tenderness, and elevated liver enzymes. We are told that hepatitis b is a potentially life-threatening illness.

However, we are not told that the virus is spread by coming in contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person. There was a need to prevent babies from contracting it from their mothers who were carriers and who had refused the vaccine themselves. It became too much to decide which newborns needed it and who didn’t, and the result was vaccination for all. It being a policy based on convenience was not enough reason for us to opt for the vaccine.

The antibiotic eye ointment, or erythromycin, is given to babies who are at risk of getting an STD from the mother when coming down the birth canal. This, as doctors will tell you, is to prevent blindness.

However, I was tested and know for a fact that I do not have an STD so, consequently, my baby does not need the ointment.

All in all, I have made countless hours of research regarding this matter and found it to be our what works best for our circumstances. I also understand that you may choose to do things differently and the beauty of it all is that you are entitled to.

I have included a few links to websites where I found some useful information that you may appreciate. Feel free to also do your own research and make sure that the information that you are getting has some kind of medical background or reasoning behind it.

http://childbirth.amuchbetterway.com/newborn-baby-eye-drops-explained/
http://www.healthychild.com/vitamin-k-shots.htm
http://thebabybond.com/VitaminKinjectORnot.html
http://www.naturodoc.com/library/bio-war/HepB.htm

Happy birthing!

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