EBB 347 - Updated Evidence on Vitamin K

Evidence Based Birth®

Rebecca Dekker

Pregnancy, Health & Fitness, Childbirth, Parenting, Birth, Medicine, Kids & Family, Doula, Obstetrician, Midwife

4.6 • 978 Ratings

🗓️ 19 February 2025

⏱️ 47 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this very important episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker is taking a look at the updated evidence on Vitamin K for newborns. Vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) is a rare but serious condition that can lead to life-threatening complications in infants. Dr. Dekker breaks down what Vitamin K is, why newborns are at risk for VKDB, and the different supplementation options available—including the Vitamin K shot and oral drops. This episode also tackles myths and misinformation surrounding Vitamin K, including concerns about safety, the so-called “gentle birth” exemption, and the controversial "black box warning." Armed with new research, we explore the effectiveness of various oral Vitamin K regimens, and go over the global recommendations for Vitamin K supplementation.

(00:04:01) The Essential Role of Vitamin K for Blood Clotting

(00:08:10) Significance of Vitamin K in Newborns' Health

(00:14:31) Preventing VKDB: Vitamin K Shot vs Drops

(00:16:14) Vitamin K Shot vs. Oral Drops Debate

(00:20:00) Effectiveness of Oral Vitamin K Drops vs. Injection

(00:31:39) Vitamin K Transfer Through Placental Barrier

(00:41:33) Preventing VKDB in Newborns: Pros and Cons of Vitamin K Options

Resources:

Read the full-length EBB Signature Article on Vitamin K (includes all scientific references + a FREE 1-page handout!) at https://ebbirth.com/vitaminK
EBB Pocket Guide to Newborn Procedures: https://ebbirth.com/shop
EBB Childbirth Class: https://ebbirth.com/childbirthclass
CDC Real stories: People with Vitamin K. Deficiency Bleeding
CDC VKDB information
Watch this YouTube video from Dr. Matt and Dr. Mike about Hemostasis and the Clotting Cascade (and why Vitamin K and Calcium are important)
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions: How to Spot Fake News
University of Chicago: Evaluating Resources and Misinformation
Web Literacy for Student Fact Checkers (and other people who care about facts)

For more information about Evidence Based Birth® and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Hi everyone, on today's podcast, we're going to talk about the updated evidence on vitamin K.
0:09.0	Welcome to the evidence-based birth podcast. My name is Rebecca Decker, and I'm a nurse with my PhD and the founder of
0:15.7	evidence-based birth. Join me each week as we work together to get evidence-based information into the hands of families
0:22.8	and professionals around the world. As a reminder, this information is not medical advice.
0:28.9	See eBbirth.com slash disclaimer for more details.
0:34.1	Hi, everyone, and welcome to today's episode of the evidence-based birth podcast. Before I get started with this episode all about vitamin K, I have a lot of the evidence-based birth podcast. Before I get started
0:39.3	with this episode all about vitamin K, I have an important announcement for you. The day this
0:44.2	podcast is coming out, February 19, 2025, is the last day you can get early bird tickets for
0:50.9	the evidence-based birth conference happening virtually in March 2025.
0:56.0	You are not going to want to miss this incredible event that you can join from your desk,
0:59.9	your couch, or even, your car, wherever you are. Our keynote speakers are midwife, Mama Shafia
1:05.6	Monroe, dietitian, and author Lily Nichols, and we will have research experts on homebirth, gestational
1:12.0	diabetes, the RSV shot in pregnancy, and much more. If you want to learn more about our speakers
1:17.7	and topics, or if you already know you want to attend, go ahead and grab your ticket and join
1:23.3	us while you can at eBbirth.com slash conference. Now today we're going to be talking about the
1:29.1	updated evidence on vitamin K for newborns. This content was co-authored by Sarah Ilshire, a doctoral
1:36.3	candidate in anthropology and an EBB research fellow. Sarah couldn't be with me here on the podcast
1:41.6	today, but I wanted to acknowledge all the hard work
1:44.3	she's put into preparing the signature article update, as well as the updated handout you can get,
1:49.7	and this podcast episode that you're listening to.
1:52.5	If you want to access any of the handouts or scientific references that go with this episode,
1:57.1	as well as the full transcript and full signature article, it's super simple.
	...

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