18. Erythromycin and Your Newborn: Making the Decision

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.comAAFP: Prevent Newborns’ Eye Infection With Antibiotic Ointment, Jan 20, 2019, USPSTF Final Recommendation Statementbrighamandwomens.org; Pediatric Newborn Medicine Clinical Practice Guidelines, Erythromycin Eye Prophylaxis Administration in Newborn Infants00:39 The Need for Better Pregnancy Support07:40 Postpartum Support and Services10:36 The Importance of Informed Decisions11:02 Erythromycin Ointment Explained28:10 History and Evolution of Silver Nitrate28:55 Antibiotics and Modern Medicine31:02 Causes of Infections37:37 Effectiveness of Prophylactic Treatments42:14 Risks and Downsides of Antibiotic Ointments45:40 Alternatives to Antibiotic Ointments50:10 Questions to Ask Your Doctor55:44 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsMore from My Friend's a Nurse:Join us for the Next Childbirth Crash Course This September 18th-20th!Join us for the next Birth Plan Workshop!Join the newsletter for behind the scenes and episode insights you don't want to miss!Visit MyFriendsaNurse.comGrab this FREE Hospital Bag ChecklistEmail Colette directly for coaching availability and membership [email protected] you are interested in partnering or being a guest on The Birth Link Podcast please email [email protected] Connected:InstagramTikTokFaceBookProduced and edited by Vaden Podcast Services