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Newborn Procedures
Newborn Baby Eye Drops Explained
Author: Tom Sample
Shortly after your baby is born, the nurse will probably take your baby to a warming table where they clean up your baby a little bit, weigh and measure him, and bring him back to you. When he comes back though you will probably notice that his eyes look wet or greasy. This is the result of him being given eye drops. Sometimes it’s more like a cream that the nurse rubs on the eye. This is rarely talked about, and most people don’t even know WHY their child is given eye drops at birth.
Eye drops at birth are given for the main purpose of helping to prevent any possible infection in your baby’s eyes from their trip down the birth canal during labor. Eye infections used to be a major cause of blindness in children, and were often due to the same bacteria that cause gonorrhea or chlamydia in women. When a woman is infected with these bacteria (about 20 percent of women with gonorrhea and 70 percent of women with chlamydia don’t have identifiable symptoms), they’re present in her vagina. As a baby travels through the birth canal, s/he can pick up bacteria present in the mother’s vaginal secretions or fluids.
The eye drops are just a precaution. It is a practice that is accepted and done in much of the world, and is even a law in many states. The most common antibiotic given today is erythromycin, however some places still administer silver nitrate which is the first antibiotic that was given starting back in the late 1800′s. Silver Nitrate, however, has been found to irritate the baby’s eyes, and cause much discomfort. You might want to talk to your doctor about which drug they administer. The hospital should have both on hand. Just state your preferences.
Some women will question why their baby was given eye drops after a c-section delivery. Because the possible infection only occurs during the trip down the birth canal, it would seem that it is unnecessary in a c-section. The opinions on this vary. Some people believe that if a woman’s water was broken before delivery either naturally or by the doctor, that there is a chance that the baby could still have made contact with any infection that might be present. Also, when given vaginal exams, had internal monitors, etc that infection might have reached the baby. If your doctor or nurse believes this is possible, they might give your baby eye drops after your cesarean delivery. Other times it is routinely done by the hospital as part of the newborn care, whether you have a c-section or vaginal delivery, much like the Hepatitis B shot and hearing tests are routinely done in most hospitals today.
If you have any concerns over your baby receiving eye drops, or any other of the routine baby care methods, you should be sure to talk to your doctor or midwife prior to your delivery, as well as put your instructions and concerns in your birth plan so that everyone is aware of your wishes on the day of delivery. Some states have laws stating that the eye drops are mandatory.
The drawback of the eye drops is that it makes the baby’s vision blurry for a little while. If the baby is given the drops right after birth, it can impede on the bonding process with the mother and father. This is something that you may wish to be delayed until after that first hour of life. Most states have laws that say it is up to the practitioner to provide the eye drops, with no specific time indicated. Oftentimes it is not medically necessary to apply the eye drops within the first hour after birth.
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Sheryl’s comment:
This is just one more example of why women are choosing unassisted childbirth. If you are 100% certain that you do not have gonorrhea or chlamydia, then there is no reason the world that your newborn should receive painful/irritating eye drops as a “welcome to earth”. It is part of the overall “psychology of birth” in which the mother is considered “dirty” and the product (baby) of that “unclean mother” must be removed and sterilized immediately or it is in grave danger of catching her dirty ways.
I have heard stories of women arguing with their doctors about their sexual habits to try to protect their newborn. “Wow doctor! Thank you very much for implying that I am cheating on my husband – or that he is cheating on me” The reality is that people do cheat and the laws are in place to protect those newborns from a mother who is in fact infected whether or not she knows or admits it. Nobody wants a blind baby.
You can get tested for gonorrhea or chlamydia while pregnant and then have a peaceful homebirth free of eye drops. Know your rights and refuse the drops if you know you do not have an STD and are birthing in a hospital or birthing center.
Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/64939463@N00/377834503/ 
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19 comments for “Newborn Baby Eye Drops Explained”
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Tags: erythromycin newborn, newborn eye, newborn eye drops, newborn eye infections, Newborn Procedures, routine infant procedures, silver nitrate baby, silver nitrate eyes, silver nitrate newborn
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The information we present is not intended to replace a relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems,disease, or illness without consulting with your own physician or qualified medical professional.
I found this woman’s approach to birthing provocative, to say the least:
Laura Shanley, author of Unassisted Birth, says the only reason most childbirths are painful is because most women have been taught to fear the birth process. Here, she tells us how she overcame her own fear of childbirth, unassisted.
Unassisted Childbirth: Beyond The Fear
July 6, 2007 11:14 AM
Again, because these two infections(gonorrhea and chlamydia) can be transmitted with little or no symptoms, and can not only cause damage to the eyes, but the lungs, heart and other organs in newborns, and adults ,just because someone thinks they are in a monogomous relationship, is not a 100% guarantee, as many people are decieved in this manner every day. Why should an innocent baby suffer blindness and other development difficulties, when it is simply and relatively a safe alternative to permanent blindness. I think it is well worth the risks involved, if there are any real risks. However, I still think that parents should be informed about the drops, ointment used. and these are only some of the bacteria that can be introduced to the newborns eyes so why take any risks of infection?
@jewel:
I agree that many people THINK they are in a monogomous relationship when in fact they are not. Why cant women simply be tested in their third trimester. I do not agree with a one size fits all preventative approach to newborn procedures.
well, i certainly would, given the consequences either way. Blurry vision for a newborn whos eyesight is at best blurry anyhow, or permanent blindness, brain damage or death. not hard to see what i would choose. What about Strep B in the womb? and if women can be tested in the 3rd trimester, then why arent doctors/caregivers doing it? Because, at anytime right up until the birth, the unborn could potentially be exposed, and testing takes hours/days to determine results. Therefore, noone could definately guarantee 100% non exposure, unless the mother was locked up under constant supervision ie: no sexual contact of any kind. My kids both had the eyedrops, and they live to have healthy eyes, healthy brains, and do not tell horror stories of blurry vision as a newborn…
This is an important issue that parents should be informed about, thanks alot for sharing it
I am a Dr at a hospital where ALL pregnant women are tested THREE TIMES during pregnancy (third time during labour) for STDs (now called STIs) and even if the results are all negative, the babies are given erythromicin eye ointment. Even if the woman has a booked cesarean and has never ruptured her membranes, the baby gets the ointment. We are breeding a new generation of antibiotic-resistant people, who will suffer from common ailments unnecessarily due to being unable to be treated by simple stuff like erythtomicin, because they will all be resistant to it. It is crazy and I hate the health care system for it. Additionally, in reply to someone who posted that ‘most of the world’ practice this ridiculous treatment, they do not. Only North America infact – Canada and USA. Two of the worst health care systems in the entire world, including the third world. Scary stuff. Research as much as you can, expectant parents – just because it is the ‘done thing’, does not mean it is the ‘right thing’.
@susan:
Thank you so much for writing from an insider’s point of view. So much of obstetrics and newborn care is based on habit, profit, convenience or for litigious reasons. A blanket approach to care simply does not stand up to reason especially when it causes harm and does no good.
That is why I had a peaceful, loving unassisted homebirth. I did not have to fight anyone to avoid unnecessary treatment.
“noboody wants a blind baby” offends me, as it is a realistic possibility that my close friend could birth a blind baby- she and her husband are blind. Please reconsider your words, as it can make the already low self-esteem of a blind person lower… maybe I’m being difficult, but my pregnant friend is both blind and adopted. Perhaps adopted (or in her heart, abandoned by her birth parents) because she is blind. I’m sure you understand.
Great article and thought provoking sentiments. My daughter had some eye trouble when she was born. Thankfully it cleared up after a couple of weeks and she’s fine now.
To Jewel:
With my last two years ago they started sending women to get the STD testing again in their third trimester. My Dr. let me waive the blood tests then, but with this pregnancy said the health care system could deny a claim if I don’t get it done.
I guess what I want to know is, if it isn’t going to change any of the common practices such as the eye drops, then what is the point of the extra blood tests.
The great thing about having rights at a time like this is that you and I can do the exact same research and both come out with totally different points of view. The POINT is, we both care enough to look into these things for our childrens’ sake.
This is quite informative.Not many people know that a new born baby can have eye-infection at birth and that it can lead to blindness.
However, I think the mother of the baby has the right to know whatever kind of mecication they are administering on their babies. Mothers should be informed even before birth…
Wow, that is some really great information. I had no idea that is why they gave baby eye drops after pregnancy. I think that I would want my baby given the eye drops no matter if I had a natural birth or a c-section, just to be safe. I don’t want my baby going blind just because I thought the eye drops were questionable. Thanks for the great info. You learn something new everyday
Ok, but here’s the thing. How many of you would risk your child’s health and future eyesight because you don’t want to be caught cheating? This isn’t Springer folks, and I might be naive but I would hazard a guess that those of you either cheating or who have partners who cheat would be pretty emphatic about needing the drops. Don’t you think a frank discussion with your partner about the risks to the baby if there has been even one instance of infidelity since you had your STI screen in early pregnancy would make your partner suggest that “well, umm, gesh I don’t know how to tell you this but we really should get the drops.” And if he/she doesn’t than let me tell you a blind baby is going to be the least of your troubles when you realize that you have a morally bankrupt partner who will have all sorts of questionable values and actions that will be pretty damaging to you and your baby very long term.
Thank you for sharing such important and useful information. All parents need to have this info.
guys, come on. this is the most retarded argument ever. theyre freakin eyedrops, they last maybe a day. chillax. whoever gets “offended” by the doctor telling them they need eye drops for the baby: just WOW is all i have to say. get over yourself.
This routine procedure needs to be stopped. This article is misinformed in a number of ways. In 2006 Dr. Ronald Standler (a doctor of laws) did extensive legal research on the issue and wants it stopped.
I wonder how long it takes to seriously screw up an hours-old infant’s visual orientation to the world, and how difficult it must be to bring it back, especially if either or both parents don’t have excellent vision? Hours may be an awfully long time to a fast-developing infant. Think about other animals which imprint on their mothers/parents.
1. As of 2006 neonatal eye antibiotics are still mandatory ONLY in the USA, and in the vast majority of cases completely unnecessary: http://www.rbs2.com/SilvNitr.pdf
They render the infant’s vision a complete blur, and the 2nd eye is harder to get the treatment into, resulting in an unequal effect. Ever wonder why most Americans have one eye with worse vision than the other?
2. Normal newborns have normal vision: http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=1420
There is probably a latency effect which forces the educationally-inclined child into nearsightedness. Or pulls the child into non-educational directions in order to preserve their vision.
Very interesting post. I agree that we should be really careful with our newborns. we should avoid getting our child any kind of diseases. I’m definitely going to bookmark your post! Thanks for this!