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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Standard procedure in labour?

17 replies

Mummybear8 · 13/08/2015 22:55

Last time I gave birth (2008) I had my daughter naturally and only had gas & air and pethedine. I never had to have a cannula fitted but have recently seen online that some hospitals fit one as standard procedure when you go into labour "just in case" they need to give you drugs/fluid etc intravenously. Second baby is due in 4 weeks so just curious as to others more recent experiences.
Thanks Smile

OP posts:
Topsy34 · 13/08/2015 23:04

I dont imagine that it is standard, in any case, you can simply say no. Absolutely nothing is compulsory in antenatal care, (in any oart of health care in fact)

Ifmyounwere having a dril for induction, then yes, if you were at high risk or a PPH then yes....but otherwise i would say no.

If you dont want it, just say no.

Lonz · 13/08/2015 23:13

I had my son in 2012. They didn't stick anything in my arms or hands. But saying that both my sisters had something stuck in their hands because they got scars now. Can't remember what for. But I didn't have anything. What's it for anyway?

imwithspud · 13/08/2015 23:14

With DD1 I was induced so a cannula was a given (hate needles to getting it inserted was horrid).

With DD2 I went into spontaneous labour and I wasn't hooked up to anything, it was great.

I don't think it's standard procedure for a spontaneous labour, not in the UK anyway.

NotCitrus · 14/08/2015 04:07

Only ever heard of that in America. If you get an epidural then will likely get one.

Rubygoose · 14/08/2015 04:14

Gave birth 5 weeks ago and they did put a cannula in, I asked why and they said 'just in case'! Turns out I did need it as has ECS after labouring for 12 hours.

avocadotoast · 14/08/2015 04:38

I had DD 11 weeks ago. Didn't have one.

Wizadora1 · 14/08/2015 04:56

Had ds 16 weeks ago, was induced and didn't have one until they decided I needed an emcs and it was rushed in so don't think it's standard procedure locally.

mmollytoots · 14/08/2015 16:54

my baby's 11 months and I didn't get one

nolongerwaitingfornumber2 · 14/08/2015 23:09

My baby is 9 days old and no cannula here either. This labour was spontaneous whereas had cannula put in with DD1 2 years ago as I was induced.

CherryLips1980 · 15/08/2015 06:52

I had DD in 2013 and DS in April and neither time had a cannula fitted.

Kraggle · 15/08/2015 07:00

I had dd in 2013 and didn't have a cannula. I did end up with a catheter though due to the nature of my tear.

5YearsTime · 15/08/2015 07:02

Nope but I ended up with one in the immediate aftermath for fluids and also because I may have had to go to theatre. I also ended up with a massive bruise where the midwife missed Smile, she was bloody lovely and a total star so I didn't give a shit.

LibrariesGaveUsPower · 15/08/2015 13:49

Routine cannulas are mostly a us thing.

LibrariesGaveUsPower · 15/08/2015 13:51

Oh, and mine was really uncomfortable with DD1 so I would not consent to a routine one myself

Roseybee10 · 15/08/2015 20:32

One of the hospitals in my area does this. (They even did it when I went in for my miscarriage).
If it is standard then you can refuse it. They thought I might have an ectopic and need immediate surgery which is why I didn't contest with miscarriage. I went to a different hospital to give birth and never had one and my second was a home birth.

plonkie · 18/08/2015 14:59

I'm due in a few weeks and when I recently saw the anaesthetist (have high bmi so have been consultant led as well as midwife) he said they would like to fit one when I went in just in case I need it. On thinking about it, I'm definitely going to refuse this. I don't want something sticking out of my hand and getting in the way whilst I'm in the throes of labour! Also, in my opinion I am low risk as the pregnancy has been very healthy. If I do need one they can just fit it at the time!

SockQueen · 20/08/2015 23:57

It's not always quite that easy, plonkie, especially if you have a high BMI...

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