I see on all of these baby shows, whenever a woman gives birth in the hospital, they always hand her the baby with some kind of clear cream spread across the baby's eyes, keeping them shut. What is that stuff and what is it supposed to do? My daughter was born last year, and she didn't have anything like that put on her eyelids. Is it only an American thing?
2007-02-20 07:53:52 · 11 answers · asked by myksha2001 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Thank you for the great answers! I guess because I had a c-section birth and not a vaginal one, that could be why it was not used. Also, my daughter was not expected to live, so she was kept with me in my hospital room, never leaving my side. Kinda odd though that at the end of the week when she was healthy and we took her home, they didnt suggest the use of the cream.. But I'm kinda glad. I am now pregnant with my 2nd child, and will have to have another c-section, so I guess the cream wont be used again. Which is good because I've always felt bad for a baby who couldn't open their eyes and look at their new beautiful mom!
2007-02-20 08:17:24 · update #1
"eye prophylaxis
Eye drops or ointment containing an antibiotic medication are placed in a newborn's eyes after birth. This is required by law to protect the baby from an unknown gonorrhea infection in the mother's body. Antibiotics are used in most hospitals. Another preparation, called silver nitrate, is sometimes used.
The ointment or drops may cause a baby's eyes to appear cloudy and some newborns' eyes may become very irritated with redness or swelling. This is a temporary condition and the medication should not be washed or cleaned out of the eyes."
"Antibiotic eye ointment is used to protect babies from infection during birth, should the mother have contracted a venereal disease during pregnancy (a test for VD is routine in early prenatal care). If a woman has been monogamous and her partner has been as well, there is no risk of such infection, and the ointment is unnecessary. Overuse of antibiotics is becoming a serious problem, as many bacteria are forming resistance to the drugs, making them ineffective. It is socially responsible to use them only when necessary, and sensible to not give unnecessary drugs to a newborn baby. This antibiotic ointment is required by law, but waivers are available to sign. It is typically necessary to ask for these specifically. "
2007-02-20 07:59:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Newborn Baby Eyes
2016-10-04 13:41:14 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Eye Prophylaxis
What is eye prophylaxis?
Eye drops or ointment containing an antibiotic medication are placed in a newborn's eyes after birth. This is required by law to protect the baby from an unknown gonorrhea infection in the mother's body. Antibiotics are used in most hospitals. Another preparation, called silver nitrate, is sometimes used.
The ointment or drops may cause a baby's eyes to appear cloudy and some newborns' eyes may become very irritated with redness or swelling. This is a temporary condition and the medication should not be washed or cleaned out of the eyes.
2007-02-20 08:00:43 · answer #3 · answered by Twin Mommy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Eye drops or ointment containing an antibiotic medicine are located in a newborn's eyes after delivery. it relatively is needed via regulation to guard the toddler from an unknown gonorrhea an infection interior the mum's physique. Antibiotics are utilized in maximum hospitals. yet another coaching, stated as silver nitrate, is particularly situations used."
2016-10-16 02:56:13 · answer #4 · answered by balikos 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is an antibiotic cream to keep bacteria and possible infections out of baby's eyes. All 4 of my children were born via c-section and had the ointment put on their eyes. If yours didn't, I wouldn't worry about it.
2007-02-21 04:02:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, It is used to make sure the child gets nothing in there eyes that would cause a eye infection ( that could lead to many problems..event blindness) I am from Texas ( US) so maybe it is only done here but that is what it is for. I am surprised they do not do it any were else( are you sure they did not do it to your baby..a lot of times they wait to do it until they are in the nursery with the baby.)
2007-02-20 07:59:25 · answer #6 · answered by mommy of 2 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I forgot what they call it but it is a medicated gel basically and it has things that will protect the childs eyes from all of the bacteria that got on it from passing through the vagina and into this world. It helps them not get eye infections and some types of diseases. But i can't remember what they are called.
2007-02-20 07:58:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
antibiotic cream to keep the baby from getting a bacterial infection from the mom's vagina during birth
2007-02-20 08:03:38 · answer #8 · answered by #2 on the way! due 12/28 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure if they only do it in the US, but it's an antibiotic cream that they put on there.
2007-02-20 07:59:02 · answer #9 · answered by totspotathome 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am american and have never heard of that and i had babies a long time ago my youngest is 21
2007-02-20 07:59:15 · answer #10 · answered by Mary O 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋