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Jane
We don't give out any literature other than what is
supplied by QHealth and Immunise Australia.(We did not want to load the
guns of the powers-that-be) There is enough in those, when parents
attention is brought to the relevant and worrying sections to make room for a
discussion about the risks/benefits for that individual family. Eg "Extra
Fluids before your milk comes in? pain and fever from Hep B at the
same time as your baby is recovering from birth? Is this necessary?
What is the risk of you baby getting the disease? If you plan on
getting your baby immunised at 2 an 4 months then it will be covered then
anyway."
We do have an advantage that the women know and
trust us as they see a particular midwife throughout the pregnancy but midwives
everywhere should be having the same conversations with parents prior to
administration of the vaccine. It is a requirement of informed consent that
there is full disclosure of risks of treatment vs risks of disease.
Sandra
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, March 10, 2003 10:40
PM
Subject: Re:[ozmidwifery]Hep B Birth
dose
Hi Sandra
Got to say how much I admire your approach to
this vaccination. Like you I have problems sticking a baby with a needle
before they have had a chance to adapt to extrauterine life.We give out a
consent form but when I give it to women booking in I make it clear that this
is their decision and that it is important that they research it further. We
have a handout which was adapted from an article written by a WA home birth
midwife which we can provide to parents who want further information. The
only time I could see it may have to be given at birth is where a child is
being placed in day care at an early age or the parents are going to a country
where Hep B is endemic.
I have been vaccinated and initially
seroconverted. Another antibody level done following a needlestick injury
about 7-8 years after the initial immunisation showed low antibody levels and
I was advised I would not seroconvert if I received another booster. However
when I had levels done following a recent needlestick injury( Drs and their
sharps-don't you love them) it showed high levels of antibody again. I can
only assume I had been exposed at some stage and my immune system kicked in as
a result of the original immunisation.
Regards
Jane
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