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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:

FreiasBathtub · 29/05/2018 14:06

I had one. I hate needles, have terrible veins that nobody can ever get into, usually faint when people are drawing blood and really didn't want to deal with that on top of being in labour.

Do you know - I didn't even notice them put it in! It was in a bit of confusion as I was moving from the midwife led unit to the medical side. I think they may have put it in more than once I honestly, truly didn't notice.

You'll be fine. I'd put in the birth plan that you really dislike needles and don't want a cannula, but do bear in mind that the birth plan is more a set of guidelines - if there's an emergency, they'll do whatever is necessary to protect you and the baby.

melissasummerfield · 29/05/2018 14:08

I had one with all three of mine but was consultant led for various reasons so that may have been why..

whitehousemum · 29/05/2018 14:08

I had one as I was induced. I also hate needles but it was ok. In fact I hope to be induced next time! So the IV really wasn't that bad. Have you had any blood tests so far in your pregnancy? Maybe use them to practise. I also wanted a 'natural' birth but due to being put on the syntocin drip needed painkillers, which were also given via injection. It made the whole experience a more positive one, I would recommend trying to get used to needles now if possible so that's one less thing to worry about when you're in labour.

katmarie · 29/05/2018 14:10

I planned a water birth, and ended up having an epidural for various reasons. I had a canula for fluids as I was badly dehydrated and oxytocin to move my labour along. They gave me gas and air while they put it in, and again when they put in the epidural, and until the epidural kicked in. Honestly it really wasn't too bad, the midwife who did it had clearly done millions because she was very fast and very neat, and I barely felt it. It wasn't at all uncomfortable while in, and After they took it out my hand healed very quickly. I'd never had one before and didn't realise they were going to do it til they did it, if that makes sense, but honestly it wasn't too bad.

ijustwannadance · 29/05/2018 14:11

Honestly, if you are planning to give birth with only gas and air you won't give a shit about the cannula being put in your hand!

Would you honestly refuse a needle in your hand that can get meds/fluids into you asap if needed? I assume you have had the required blood tests during pregnancy? Only difference is this needle stays in. Might be a little uncomfortable but not very painful.

I didn't even notice mine going in with DD2 as other shit happening quickly. It's annoying when left in but necessary.

Please don't be too rigid with birth plan as this can cause massive upset if it doesn't go plan. As pp said, have an open mind.

LilacIris · 29/05/2018 14:12

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?

Yes, put in your birth plan what your ideal is and what to you what to avoid wherever possible but do be open to things changing at the last moment.

I hope everything goes smoothly and well for you.

Original poster

pillowduster · 29/05/2018 14:20

Thanks for all the kind messages. Yes, I have had blood tests throughout the pregnancy and even if I am not a fan, they're doable.. so I think the best thing is to keep an open mind but I'll still mention it.

OP posts:

Cheeseandapple · 29/05/2018 16:25

I was so scared of needles before being pregnant - even ripped the rubber strap off and ran out the room in tears at a blood test once! However, got used to be poked and prodded throughout my pregnancy and during/right after labour needed a few injections (no cannula though) and couldn't have cared less! You'll be fine!!

annlee3817 · 29/05/2018 18:00

I was told I'd have to have one if I didn't start drinking something, I was vomiting a lot, and eventually my husband got me sipping still lucozade between contractions which stopped the need for a cannula

DappledThings · 29/05/2018 18:04

I had one for 2nd birth because it was coming up to 24 hours since my waters had broken and they wanted the baby to have prophylactic antibiotics via me

SoyDora · 29/05/2018 18:06

I didn’t for either birth (and just had gas and air!). Uncomplicated pregnancy and birth though. If there had been a need, I’d have agreed to one.

Dobbythesockelf · 29/05/2018 18:14

I did but that was because I was induced and then I became dehydrated so they had to pump fluids into me. You can refuse one etc but I would second keeping an open mind. I was going to have a water birth etc but my baby was distressed so needed to come out quicker.

sycamore54321 · 30/05/2018 18:59

Of course like any medical intervention, you don't have to have one. But if your medical team recommends one, you need to understand the full benefits and risks of it and the risks of declining.

For childbirth, the main reason a precautionary cannula is advised is in case of massive bleeding after the birth. This can happen very rapidly and is very serious. If it does happen, one of the consequences often is that your veins collapse and it is extremely difficult to insert an IV at that point. So having an IV in place as a precaution means blood products and drugs can be given rapidly and without delay.

It's entirely your choice, but please discuss with your doctor and medical team what they recommend for you.

DramaAlpaca · 30/05/2018 19:01

I didn't have one for any of my three births.

catinasplashofsunshine · 30/05/2018 19:05

Don't put in your birth plan that you don't want one, because there may be a reason it could be lifesaving, especially if your viens are hard to find or you lose a lot of blood or become very dehydrated. Keep an open mind and decide if it's offered. As others say if you are actually in labour you'll probably barely notice it actually being put in!

Orangedaisy · 30/05/2018 19:06

I had one with DD2 which was an unplanned super fast home birth. After dd was born (with no pain relief other than gas and air at the end when the ambulance arrived literally 2 minutes before she did) the paramedics put one in as it’s standard practice for them apparently. The midwives scoffed at them at the hospital when I arrived and more or less took it straight out. I barely noticed it go in, I was so pleased to have DD and the pain was virtually nil after the shock of the labour!

doleritedinosaur · 30/05/2018 19:08

With my Induction with DS1 I was told I had to have it or they wouldn’t break my waters so you can try to decline but they won’t listen.

I didn’t need the fluids either. I didnt want it as they had stuck one in previously 5 weeks before & it had bent.

Good luck with your birth but if you’re on the labour ward be prepared to probably have one.

NeedAUsernameGenerator · 30/05/2018 19:10

I had one for my 1st birth for syntocinon. I then was advised to have one as a precaution for my 2nd birth because I lost a lot of blood during the 1st one. I accepted it but it wasn't used in the end.

IceBearRocks · 30/05/2018 19:14

I had 3 kids and not once had a cannula ...in fact with my 3rd we just sat chatting with the midwife and she caught the baby at the end!!!!!

So yes you can do it without pain relief ..... I also had an ECV without pain relief and I'd rather give birth than have another ECV!!!!

MaverickSnoopy · 30/05/2018 19:20

I had one with my first. I had been very sick and was violently shaking with cold but was burning up so they gave me fluids to hydrate me. To be honest I didn't even know they were putting it in I was so out of it (that's when I was just on gas and air). I had an epidural shortly after (18 hours in) and I remember asking them about the canula. The next day they wouldn't take it out until they knew for certain that they wouldn't need to use it. With my second I didn't need one at all.

catinasplashofsunshine · 30/05/2018 19:22

Icebear I hope the op has births like yours, but people don't choose to have complicated births and need blood transfusions... I wanted a water birth with my first, thought it'd all go smoothly what with always being told I had "childbearing hips" - didn't expect the failed induction 36 hours after my waters broke but contractions failed to become regular, nor the emergency section, nor the multiple blood transfusions. It turned out to be fortunate I had a cannula...

Just don't make any fixed decisions before hand, that way still being traumatized about a birth not going to plan years later lies.

Being a relaxed type and wanting to sneeze the baby out without pain relief doesn't mean that you won't need medical intervention to save your and / or your baby.

It's simply better to have an open mind.

Hotpinkangel19 · 31/05/2018 08:47

I had a cannula in my first and 4th labours, hardly noticed it was in! Please keep an open mind though - going into this expecting a natural gas and air labour/birth is lovely but it doesn't always happen.

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