vitamin K injections for newborns & cord blood

[Guest guest]

Is anyone familiar with this practice - giving newborns injections of vitamin K

to help with blood clotting.

I am due at the end of May and have been informed by my Midwife group that this

is routine, although it is optional. However, they are extremely resistant to

my suggestions that the shot is not necessary. It seems to me that if I consume

enough vitamin K, that my baby will have an adequate amount. Plus, it appears

that the shot is given intramuscularly - not my idea of a pleasant experience

for a newborn.

I have read that allowing the baby to receive all of its cord blood might

eliminate the need for vit. K injections. - But, I am unfamiliar with umbilical

cord practices. How does one know that the baby has received all of its cord

blood (and how long does this take)? Is the medical profession familiar with

this?

I would just like to be armed with more information about this practice when I

discuss this again with the Midwives.

Thank you,

Deanna