TIPS| Philippine Hospital Protocols

3 more weeks and BB#2 is here! In preparation for that, I'd like to share with you guys the 3 hospital protocols that should be followed when you give birth. 

1. Unang Yakap (Essential Intrapartum and Newborn Care (EINC) Protocol mandated by Department of Health Administrative Order No. 2009-0025 dated December 01, 2009) - Before I gave birth to Maggy, I thought unang yakap can only be performed for those who gave birth via Normal Delivery. How misinformed was I, sigh. Nevertheless, I asked my current OB that I want to do this with BB#2. She assured me that there won't be any issues (regardless if I'm CS). Yay!
2. Rooming-In (Republic Act 7600 or “The Rooming-in and Breastfeeding Act of 1992" [5 April 1993]) - if both mom and baby are well, this should be followed once the mom is out of recovery room. Based on experience, we have to wait for 24 hours before Maggy was roomed in. There was some concern with Maggy's heart then which turned out to be benign. 
3. Milk Code (Milk Code Executive Order 51) - No formula milk should be allowed in the hospital. Medical practitioners should also educate you on how to properly breastfeed your baby. Maggy was cup fed with formula when she was in the nursery and I was still in the recovery room. According to the sub-pedia then (our original pedia was out of the country when Maggy was born), this is to prevent her sugar to drop since I had GDM. 

Here are the links related to the protocols mentioned above:

• http://unangyakap.doh.gov.ph/ao20090025.pdf
• http://unangyakap.doh.gov.ph/enc.html
• http://www.pcw.gov.ph/law/republic-act-7600 
• http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/…/ra_10028_2010.html
• http://www.milkcodephilippines.org/abouteo51.php#reporting

If the hospital failed to perform these protocols you may report here:

Atty. Nicolas B. Lutero III

Director IV, DOH Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau

DOH Trunkline: 651 7800 local 2502

FAX: 711 9572

Email: Familyhealthoffice@gmail.com / bhfs.recordssection@yahoo.com

Address: Bldg 15, Rizal Ave. cor Tayuman St. Sta. Cruz, Manila

Website: http://www.bhfs.doh.gov.ph