Rob,
Yes, midwives give Vit. K.  But midwives doing homebirths tend to uphold
parents' right to make informed choices about such things, so probably most,
but not all, babies actually get Vit. K.

I'm sure there are also midwives, particularly those working in places where
they have unpleasant (or even disastrous) relationships with the medical
community and the law, who may either have an objection to giving Vit. K or
may not have access to it.

Delivery by a midwife does not mean that a baby doesn't get Vit. K, which is
what that article seems to have implied.

Barrett Flaschar Dunn, CLC, "retired" midwife, MPH student (almost done!)
Colorado
 -----Original Message-----
From:   Robert Cordes DO [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent:   Tuesday, February 29, 2000 12:01
Subject:        Vit K and midwives

A recent article in my local newspaper was about illnesses that mimic child
abuse. It talked of a case of an Amish girl who had a disorder of Vit K.
It went on to say that today babies receive an injection of Vit K at birth
and in infant formula but this girl was delivered by a midwife then
breastfed and received neither.
Doesnt sound good does it.
I will send the editor a letter clarifing about breastfeeding. J
ust to make it clear there are midwives how give Vit K correct? Is there any
office midwife policy about this?
thanks,
Rob

Rob Cordes, DO, FAAP, FACOP
general pediatrician
Wilkes Barre PA
mailto:[log in to unmask]

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