buttaflly227:
You don't have to research the Vitamin K or the eye stuff. That is routine, and they will do it anyway because it needs to be done. Your baby is going to pass through your vagina, where there is lots of bacteria, and they need to put the eye ointment in to make sure they don't get any infections. There is nothing dangerous about it, and it is going to get done. I wouldn't refuse it. The Vitamin K is to make sure your baby's blood begins to clot on it's own. It's been living off your supply of vitamins and clotting antibodies since you became pregnant. Now baby is out in the "real world" and needs that boost of vitamin to get things rolling. They do this for all babies, it's no big deal and it's not dangerous. Our hospital gives a Hepititis B vaccine while baby is still in the hospital, and the second dose (and any subsequent vaccines) will be given by your pediatrician. If you are vaccinating, there's really no research to do, in my opinion, other than talking to your pediatrician, asking them what their vaccination schedule is, and then deciding if there's any you don't want (I personally don't see the reason for not vaccinating against anything that you can vaccinate against - I'd rather my kid not suffer some icky, horrible illness than let them wing it, but I know other people are different, and I respect their right to chose what they feel as best, even if I think it's ridiculous). As for who will wash your baby, that will be the nurses. They will do the initial clean up, get that little one non-icky, and then the first real "bath," they will walk you through alongside you. There's nothing really to do with any of this stuff that you're worried about, it'll all be taken care of for you.
See I know you mean well but I completely disagree with that stuff 'being routine' and much of the reason for that is because I DO have the option in this hospital (Thank God) because much of it is not necessary from what I've read and been told by my doula and birthing instructor.
The eye ointment is really only if the mama has an infection or STD, otherwise it's unnecessary.The blood clotting was originally for boys when they get circumsized and for whatever reason they decided all kids should have it, which I see as not needed. The hep B vaccine is also not needed unless they are exposed to the disease through blood or body fluids which is hard to catch.
The bath I think should be done by a parent and so we learn how to do it properly and the baby can continue to bond with the parents. So many people just have their kids in the hospital and are like OK do whatever you want to my kid and then we'll take off but I want to make informed choices which is why I'm on info overload lol.
So thanks ladies, I think I do just need to make a list of priorities and go from there but I just don't know what all the options are but can only do my best. ;)
Vitamin K is administered to prevent a condition known as hemorrhagic disease of the newborn, which can be due to a variety of things from hemophilia to a vitamin K deficiency. It also can be deadly.
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/974489-overview
With Hepatitis B, the hospital should allow you to delay the vaccine if you wish. Talk with your pediatrician about it. Many will do it when the infant is around two weeks of age.
Whatever your choices are, make sure you are vocal about them. Also, it helps to have your husband on the same page as you and to have everything in writing. Some hospitals are more "baby friendly" than others. If you have a choice in the matter, research your hospital's policies before deciding on whether or not it is a good fit for you. The hospital should also give you data on the proportion of women given pitocin and who undergo c-sections (pitocin increases the likelihood of surgical births substantially).
For the bath, the vernix is really good for the skin and it is best that a bath is put off for a few hours (6-8) to give the infant a chance to feed and bond with his mommy. Also, right after birth the babies have a tough time regulating their temperatures, which might be worsened through bathing, even under the warmer. I know for me, I would feel most comfortable watching the nurse give my baby a bath (6-8 hrs after birth is actually my hospital's policy) so that I have a bit of an example for when my husband and I go to do it on our own. We are first time parents and could use a good demo!