Newborn Care: 5 Routine Procedures That Occur After Your Baby’s Birth

As someone who is planning an unmedicated birth, you probably spend a good deal of time preparing for labor and delivery. It’s wise to learn about how to manage contractions, what positions you might use for pushing, and why it’s important to trust your body. We certainly recommend expanding your knowledge on all of these topics.

However, it’s also essential to think about newborn care. Before your baby is born, you should talk with your midwife about your options for routine newborn procedures and tests. Some are optional, while others are required. In addition, you and your partner should know how you want to handle certain decisions, like the Vitamin K injection and erythromycin eye ointment.

At Magnolia, we want you to be prepared every step of the way. In this blog, we’ll explore what newborn care is available and discuss five of the most common options for newborn care. With this information, we hope you and your partner can continue your research and make informed decisions on your baby’s healthcare.

Vitamin K Injection

If you consent, this is done at the birth center soon after delivery. You may be wondering:

• “What is the Vitamin K injection?”

• “What does the Vitamin K injection do?”

• “Why would my baby need it?”

We’d love to answer your questions! Vitamin K is a water-soluble vitamin the body needs for clotting blood. Unfortunately, babies are born with limited amounts of it, and human milk contains low levels. Vitamin K activates the molecules we are born with to do their blood clotting jobs. Consider this analogy: If you think of Vitamin K as gasoline for a car, then we are born with all the cars (molecules) we need to clot blood. But these cars cannot operate without gas (Vitamin K) to run. Because of this, even modern techniques such as delayed cord clamping do not increase Vitamin K levels from the birthing person to baby.

In some cases, babies are born with such low levels of Vitamin K that they develop what is called Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB). This is when the baby begins to bleed internally or externally suddenly for what appears to be no reason. The Vitamin K injection following birth acts as a preventative measure for this. Administered as an intramuscular injection in the upper thigh, the injection may be temporarily uncomfortable for your newborn for a short period of time. While Vitamin K is given by injection, it should not be mistaken for a vaccination.

Erythromycin Eye Ointment

This substance is applied to both newborn eyelids at the birth center, with informed consent, soon after delivery. The antibiotic ointment has been used for decades to prevent Ophthalmia Neonatorum (ON), often known as “conjunctivitis” or “pink eye.” It can cause infection, damage, or blindness in the newborn’s eyes.

While the history of treating ON in infants spans over a century, the most common cause of ON today stems from untreated chlamydia infections in birthing parents. This sexually transmitted disease can pass on to the baby via the birth canal and places the baby at risk for ON. Other causes of bacteria that cause ON infection are known to stem from the expectant parent or the external environment.

Metabolic Screening

This screening tests for several congenital and metabolic disorders, including: PKU, cystic fibrosis, galactosemia, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, biotinidase, sickle cell disease, and congenital hypothyroidism. While rare, these genetic chemical deficiencies cause illness, possibly leading to brain damage, learning disabilities, or death if left untreated.

The metabolic panel is a state-mandated screening and involves a heel poke to the newborn and a collection of that blood. It cannot be done prior to 24 hours of age. Here at Magnolia, we will typically perform the blood collection for screening during the first postpartum visit, which is typically 24-72 hours after birth. Magnolia does charge a nominal fee of $25, although you may also arrange the screening with your baby’s pediatrician.

Critical Congenital Heart Defect Screening (CCHD)

The CCHD is a non-invasive screening for heart defects that affect the way your baby’s heart pumps oxygenated blood. This screening is performed as a way to identify certain defects before any signs or symptoms are apparent.

Performed at the first postpartum visit by using a pulse oximeter, temporary sensors are placed on the newborn’s hand or foot to measure the amount of oxygen in the blood. This screening takes minimal time. A reading greater than or equal to 95 percent oxygenation in the right hand or foot with less than or equal to a 3 percent absolute difference between the two is considered a passed screening. Readings out of this range would need repeat testing and possible evaluation for hypoxia causes.

Hearing Screening

Three out of 1,000 babies born in the United States have some degree of hearing loss. This statistic makes it one of the most common health conditions at birth. Diagnosis is usually unexpected, and more than 90 percent of babies born with hearing loss are born to hearing parents.

Newborn audiology screenings take place at children’s hospitals and must be performed within 30 days of your baby’s birth. This link has a list of providers that you can search here: https://www.ehdi-pals.org/default.aspx#gsc.tab=0. You can also ask your Magnolia care team for additional information.

Prevention and early intervention are key to treating health conditions. Standard newborn care helps make sure your baby not only has a healthy start, but also a healthy future. To learn more about birthing services at Magnolia, schedule a free consultation by filling out our form or giving us a call at 785-953-6534.