Vitamin K

As part of your birth plan you may want to include your thoughts around this topic. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Vitamin K is one of the main clotting factors in blood, and a newborn baby’s level is much lower than adults. The injection increases the level of Vitamin K in the baby. The concern is haemorrhage, particularly brain haemorrhage. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The injection is administered into the baby’s leg muscle after being born. Usually after the ‘golden hour’. It can also be offered orally (day 0,7,28). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ New research shows that the mode of birth has no relation to the need of Vitamin K to the baby. Previous research suggested that babies born without ventouse, forceps or Caesarian had less of a need for Vitamin K. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The need for Vitamin K is if the baby (1 in 1,000) is born with a metabolic condition. Therefore giving the injection is the right thing to do. The impact of giving the injection to babies who do not have this metabolic condition K is not known. It is not fully understood if the baby would get enough Vitamin K from the mother’s colostrum. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It is best to be informed in advance. Speak to your midwife and incorporate into your birth plan. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ✏️ @student_midwife_studygram⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Vitamin K