what is ohio law on giving erythromycin to newborns?

can i refuse the eye ointment for my baby when it is born?
My daughter is 11 wks & she got it when she was born and she didn't react at all. Her doc also told me to keep the ointment they give me in the hospital because she may continue to get a discharge in her eye for months to come and it is perfectly safe to put them in her eye upto 3 x's a day.
You can ask your OB or a pediatrican in your area and they should be able to answer you. Or ask the hospital when you go to register before the birth.

I don't know why anyone would refuse it though. The benefits far outweigh any risks. Your baby is coming from a sterile environment to a world full of germs with an immune system that isn't up to par just yet. Why risk your baby becoming blind or have other problems when you can give it medicine to prevent or help any germs you cant see? It's fast, easy and doesn't hurt them at all. I've had the same stuff given to me before and know that there is no pain involved. The side effects are minimal if any.

Talk to your doctor to find out the reasons they give newborns the med. and inform yourself completely before you refuse something that could be in your childs best interest. The nightmare of having a child muchless a newborn child with an infection, fever, crying and possibly blindness can be avoided.


Answers:
I am an Ohio NICU nurse. It is not the law that we give the baby erythromycin eye ointment on delivery. However, please state your rationale for not desiring this treatment. It's a benign procedure and offers much protection for your infant's delicate eyes. It does not seem to bother the baby and you can wait until after 'bonding' with your baby to have it instilled into your infant's eyes (like when she goes to the nursery for assessment). Please let me know your concerns regarding this....