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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Do you get IV when giving birth?

47 replies

pillowduster · 29/05/2018 13:25

Sorry I don't know the correct term, English is not my first language, but I am basically wondering if you get one of these in your hand/arm when giving birth? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peripheral_venous_catheter

This is my first pregnancy and I watch a lot of birth videos and a lot of women seem to have them.

OP posts:

moofeatures · 29/05/2018 13:30

Not as standard, but yes if there's a need.

A 'need' could be: induction using oxytocin/epidural/dehydration/heavy bleeding/going to theatre/a lot of other risk factors.

moofeatures · 29/05/2018 13:30

P.s. It's called a 'cannula'

LunaTrap · 29/05/2018 13:33

I did but I had hyperemesis right up to the birth so needed IV fluids and meds.

sar302 · 29/05/2018 13:34

I had one for my induction, and I think they also pushed saline solution through it afterwards to rehydrate me.

Lightsong · 29/05/2018 13:35

I had a cannula in for both of my DC births

gryffen · 29/05/2018 13:36

Standard practice in our area as a precaution for consultant led and midwife led care incase of emergency etc.

I was induced with first baby and will be again with this one and had a cannula in with an IV. Never needed medication through it for induction until I had a PPH and needed fluid and meds to stop bleeding.

Normally a nurse or even anaethesiologist will come do it.

AveEldon · 29/05/2018 13:40

Its not standard
Even if your hospital suggest you have one as a precaution you can decline

Original poster

pillowduster · 29/05/2018 13:41

Thank you for the answers!

Now I am actually more scared.. I hate hate hate needles

OP posts:

KitKatCHA · 29/05/2018 13:42

I had one for all 3 births, had gestational diabetes though so was for insulin. You can ask for emla cream to numb the skin first.

Feb2018mumma · 29/05/2018 13:43

I had one, I think if you haven't been for a wee or if you have been really sick and can't drink you get them?

Bananarama12 · 29/05/2018 13:43

No I didn't have one.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 29/05/2018 13:45

I did, because they were pushing me fluids to try and avoid a transfusion, and they left it in for a couple of days after (I did ask to have it out but they wouldn't let me) in case it was needed.

I don't remember it being inserted at all though if that helps (also not a fan of needles). There was so much other stuff going on, and in hindsight I reckon the combined of shock and nitrous oxide meant I was generally pretty out of it

Drugs and adrenaline are good OP, and I reckon you wouldnt notice it being put in either.

TheExhausted · 29/05/2018 13:45

I did as a precaution but I don't think everyone does. I hate blood and anything medical (have fainted at blood tests ect) but honestly when I was there in labour it was the last thing on my mind and I was not the slightest bit bothered.

Doublechocolatetiffin · 29/05/2018 13:46

It completely depends on the labour and area. It’s often standard practice on the labour ward to insert one as a precaution, but you don’t have to consent to having one. Make it clear in your birth plan that you are afraid of needles and ask them to avoid using one unless necessary. Everything that happens to you in labour should be your choice, don’t forget that.

Kb12 · 29/05/2018 13:46

I got one because I was vomiting. It's easy to get in when you are pregnant because your veins get really big. It only hurts for a second and you can ask them to remove it as soon as you don't need it.

WildCherryBlossom · 29/05/2018 13:47

OP I never had one with any of my births

keepingbees · 29/05/2018 13:51

I had one for my one and only hospital birth, but that was to administer the induction stuff. Never had one for my other births which were home births.
You can decline them. I would imagine they would only put one in if it was necessary for drugs or fluids.

DrWhy · 29/05/2018 13:52

I was told I needed one as I was at increased risk of bleeding due to fibroid. I hate them, I felt it was likely to stress me, reduce the release of all the positive hormones and ultimately make a natural birth less likely and interventions more necessary so I declined. I’d agreed this with my husband ahead of time and he advocated for me, being quite clear that we knew and accepted the risks. I was initially told that if I declined I’d have to move from the midwife unit to the labour room next door but then the midwife checked with her senior who said it was fine.
It would have been a slight delay in my treatment but we were in a major hospital with plenty of staff trained in putting in IVs in an emergency.
Ultimately you weigh up the risks and benefits for you and can make your own decision. If like a PP I’d had hyperemisis all the way through and needed IV fluids it would have been different but no sonographer I saw ever thought the fibroid would be an issue it was just a standard thing that once it was on my notes there was officially an increased risk.

freezerfoodyum · 29/05/2018 13:53

Now I am actually more scared.. I hate hate hate needles

I guarantee you won't care when in labour. Pre baby I was terrified of needles, totally adamant I would never have an epidural because of the size of the needle.

After 48 hours of labour with a back to back baby I couldn't get that needle in there quick enough.

Original poster

pillowduster · 29/05/2018 13:55

Thanks for the replies again. I'm very relieved to hear that I can decline one. I'm planning on a natural birth with a bit of gas and air only.

I have a birth plan I have to fill out for my midwives next week. Should I write down that I don't want one?

OP posts:

freezerfoodyum · 29/05/2018 13:57

I'm planning on a natural birth with a bit of gas and air only

So did I op.

By all means write it in your birth plan but keep an open mind.

flumpybear · 29/05/2018 13:59

I had them in case they needed to get a vein quickly - please don't let it scare you though, they're a bit uncomfortable but they essentially may be necessary to ensure you and your baby are ok. I had anaesthetists our mine in too - they know what they're doing - ask for a numbing spray

laelti · 29/05/2018 14:01

Didn't have one, it was never even mentioned.

I was in MLU having a low risk/straightforward birth though - gas&air/water only. Did very briefly have a catheter to empty bladder when my pushing stage started and I hadn't been to the loo for a few hours. Couldn't have cared less at that stage.

hungryhippie · 29/05/2018 14:03

I had one with all 3 of mine. I do have a platelet issue though so they were needed. If you have no medical issues, you dont have to accept one.

gamerchick · 29/05/2018 14:03

Anything can happen in labour OP. You can put it in if you want but if it comes to the crunch then it's unlikely you'll care when it happens. Try keep an open mind about labour.

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