What actually happens to your baby in the first 24–48 hours after birth, and which newborn interventions should you say yes or no to?
In this episode, we break down 14 common newborn interventions and procedures parents may be offered right after delivery. From delayed cord clamping and suctioning to vitamin K, hepatitis B, erythromycin eye ointment, newborn metabolic screening, hearing and heart tests, circumcision, jaundice, early bathing, and pediatric follow-up, we explain what these interventions are, why they’re offered, and what parents should understand before birth.
Whether you’re planning a hospital birth, home birth, or birth center delivery, this conversation will help you make informed decisions about newborn care and know what questions to ask when creating your birth plan.
00:00 Trailer + intro
01:13 Why newborn interventions matter
03:44 Delayed cord clamping
09:23 Rubbing and suctioning after birth
14:26 Swaddling, hats, and skin-to-skin
18:37 The golden hour and delaying newborn exams
21:10 Vitamin K shot vs oral vitamin K
29:44 Hepatitis B vaccine at birth
34:07 Erythromycin eye ointment
36:57 Newborn metabolic screening / heel prick / PKU test
39:19 Newborn blood sugar testing
41:42 Hearing test and congenital heart disease screening
46:36 Circumcision considerations
47:32 Early bath and newborn microbiome
52:31 Newborn jaundice explained
56:39 Breastfeeding jaundice vs breast milk jaundice
59:04 Pediatrician visits and delayed vaccine schedules
01:05:39 Closing thoughts
Resources From This Episode:
- Vax Dilemmas: Hesitancy, Studies, and Alternate Schedules with Dr. Joel Gator Warsh | Ep. 109 – https://youtu.be/d72t0Dv18Ok?si=OawY6xJOcWhy0w44
- Vaccines From A Neurodevelopmental Perspective with Dr. Ari Calhoun | Ep. 52 – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/healthy-as-a-mother/id1663942916?i=1000648382589
- 5 Things That Ruin Breastfeeding | Ep 146 – https://youtu.be/BQgB9rQ_Msk?si=fwrB0QJ1DvfzrrUm
- Breastfeeding and Trying To Conceive | Ep 113 – https://youtu.be/vRXXioExVh8?si=epAYIrJeqe197ftJ
- Breastfeeding: What to KNOW before your baby is born | Ep 10 – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/healthy-as-a-mother/id1663942916?i=1000601146225
- Dr. Morgan’s Pregnancy Call Lessons
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