18. Erythromycin and Your Newborn: Making the Decision

Description

Welcome to the world, now let us protect you! Learn more about one of the very first medications given to your baby, right after birth, to prevent neonatal conjunctivitis, or pink eye, specifically from gonorrhea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae).

Using the acronym once again, PIEDAY, we review the prophylactic treatment by considering the Problem, Incidence, Evidence, Downsides, Alternatives and Your input and feelings.

Nothing in health and medical treatment is so black and white, and educating yourself and your team before you need to make a decision like giving your baby antibiotics right after birth will give you confidence and a sense of control, all which are so easily lost in the hospital birth system. Please share this episode with friends, family and your birth team and have the conversation with your provider for a full understanding and expectations.

Resources and cited links:

Evidencebasedbirth.com

AAFP: Prevent Newborns’ Eye Infection With Antibiotic Ointment, Jan 20, 2019, USPSTF Final Recommendation Statement

brighamandwomens.org; Pediatric Newborn Medicine Clinical Practice Guidelines, Erythromycin Eye Prophylaxis Administration in Newborn Infants

00:39 The Need for Better Pregnancy Support

07:40 Postpartum Support and Services

10:36 The Importance of Informed Decisions

11:02 Erythromycin Ointment Explained

28:10 History and Evolution of Silver Nitrate

28:55 Antibiotics and Modern Medicine

31:02 Causes of Infections

37:37 Effectiveness of Prophylactic Treatments