Q: I am having a baby soon. Is it ok to decline the eye ointment and Hepatitis B shot?
A: YES.
The eye ointment is to prevent blindness from two specific infections: gonorrhea and chlamydia. If mom knows she has neither then it is ok to decline., It is erythromycin ointment and is safe.
The hepatitis shot is not indicated if mom has been tested and is negative for hepatitis B. The only important indication is if mom has active Hep B which can be transmitted to the newborn through the birth process through the vaginal canal.
We have a new patient/patient night EVERY month. it is the first Thursday of the month at 500. There is a link for each month posted on our Facebook page.It is a great forum to get all your questions answered about your newborn concerns, and learn about our progressive practice.
Dr F