I was wondering something that has been a question for me since Jer was born...
What is the deal with the eye ointments and pricking their heel and do they give them shots? I was never told anything I just remember Jer coming into my room after they took him from me in the delivery room and having a bandaid on his little heel and ointment in his eyes... Why do they do that and is it neccesary?
I just am really wanting to be up on my information because I know when we get our miracle here I am going to be one over protective mama that only wants the best for her angel (L)

They prick their heel to do the PKU test which while a very rare condition is a very deadly one. My teachers great nephew has PKU and it is pretty awful.

The eye ointment is vitamin K and some states do not let you opt out of it (both the vit K and the PKU), if you tell them not to do the procedure some call CPS on you. I have heard horror stories. They also give them Hep b in some states at birth or shortly after (in AZ they do)

Thanks Hun! :)
I never had any idea what they did that for.
I am all for the health of my little one so if its for the best than I would rather them do it. :yes
What is PKU by the way?

I thought the ointment on their eyes was something to protect them from infections or something. I'm not a mommy though :dunno
I didn't know they prick babies!

I thought the ointment on their eyes was something to protect them from infections or something. I'm not a mommy though :dunno
I didn't know they prick babies!


It is to keep them from getting an infection from birth...it's vitamin K that they put to keep them from getting an infection.

What is PKU by the way?

http://children.webmd.com/phenylketonuria-pku-test
A phenylketonuria (PKU) test is done to check whether a newborn baby has the enzyme needed to use phenylalanine in his or her body. Phenylalanine is an amino acid that is needed for normal growth and development. If a baby's body does not have the enzyme that changes phenylalanine into another amino acid called tyrosine, the phenylalanine level builds up in the baby's blood and can cause brain damage, seizures, and mental retardation.

The damage caused by PKU can begin weeks after the baby has started drinking breast milk or formula. Babies with PKU need foods low in phenylalanine to prevent severe brain damage. Phenylalanine is found in most foods that have protein, such as milk, cheese, and meats.

It is important to find this disease early. All babies in the United States are now tested for PKU right after birth. About 1 in 14,000 to 1 in 20,000 babies have PKU.1 In the United States, PKU occurs more in whites and Native Americans and is less common in blacks, Hispanics, and Asians. It is inherited from either the mother or father.

The blood sample for PKU is usually taken from your baby's heel (called a heel stick) 2 to 3 days after birth. A urine PKU test is done on a baby who did not have a blood test and who is older than 6 weeks.
Why It Is Done

A phenylketonuria (PKU) test is done to see whether a newborn baby has the enzyme to use phenylalanine in his or her body.

It is important to test your baby for PKU soon after birth to prevent brain damage. Phenylalanine blood levels in a baby with PKU start to rise within 24 hours of drinking breast milk or formula. A PKU test done 2 to 3 days after birth will show whether your baby has PKU. Almost all states in the United States have laws that say a PKU test must be done for new babies a few days after birth.
How To Prepare

Your baby should be drinking breast milk or formula for 24 hours before the blood sample is taken. PKU test results are more likely to be correct if the blood sample is taken after the baby has been drinking milk or formula for at least 48 hours.

If your baby is older than 6 weeks, he or she will have a PKU urine test. You do not need to do anything before your baby has this test.
How It Is Done

Your baby's heel is cleaned with alcohol and then the heel is poked with a small needle. Several drops of blood are collected inside circles on a special piece of paper. When enough blood has been collected, a small bandage is put on the site.

For a urine test, a drop of special fluid or a special test strip is put on a diaper with fresh urine.

They also take blood to determine your baby's blood type. I know I found out DS took after his Daddy when still in the hospital. (L)

PKU is a genetic disorder where the body can not break down protein. If a person with PKU gets protein their mind will deteriorate and they will become mentally handicapped in a matter of days. The little boy that has PKU (my teachers great nephew) he has to have a special drink every morning at the DR's office which gives him everything he needs for the day. He can eat all the apples he wants and drink plain water. Everything else he can have in very very very small amounts (such as 2 green beans, and one bite of meat).

That is the very very condensed version of what PKU is. Going off what my teacher explained to us.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenylketonuria here is the wiki.

I always just asked for the Vit K to wait until after I've bonded a little.

Thanks for all the info girls I learned something new! :D

Actually Vit K is a shot. It helps with clotting of the blood. Newborns are born with not enough Vit K in their systems. We dont do the shot because of after 7 days of Bf'ing, the baby has the right amount of Vit K. Think about circumcisions. Done on the 8th day after birth, so the blood will clot.

http://www.babyreference.com/VitaminKinjectORnot.htm

The eye ointment is to protect the newborn eyes from any diseases (STD) the mother has. As the newborn is coming through the birth canal it will become in contact with vaginal fluids and whatnot. Some diseases can cause eye infections and even blindness. We chose to not to do the eye ointment because I am tested for all STD during the pregnancy and I feel I will not "contaminated" our baby. Plus the eye ointment has been to know to cause blindness or eye problems as well. VERY rare but stilll............

I had Trent in a naval hospital in Fl. I told them that I did not want those things along with HEP B shot. They try to change my mind but when I showed them that I knew what I was talking bout they left me alone. If you are confident in your decisions most of the time they will leave you alone.