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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Cannulas

79 replies

Dustyzest · 20/03/2019 15:52

I am very needle phobic and I’m currently having CBT for my fears. Today I had to look at cannulas and I just can’t see how I’m ever going to be ok with this. Did you have a cannula during child birth? My therapist says it’s highly likely I’ll have one but a few of my friends said they didn’t.

OP posts:
TwistinMyMelon · 20/03/2019 21:10

Yes I had a c section so had one. Don't remember it hurting.

Carrielou87 · 21/03/2019 07:44

Aside from the first one (my first and only ever blood test) I am not having blood tests during my pregnancy. They keep trying to make me though and repeatedly asking me what if I need an epidural or a canula. I just say we will cross that bridge when we come to it, if labour is going really bad I'm sure I will be distracted enough to deal with it! Just trying to be as chill as possible for the birth, but the midwife keeps trying to stress me in advance!

CaitlinsYellowSocks · 21/03/2019 12:24

I had to have them but I had an induction and C-section. Not sure you'd have them for a natural birth. I have a needle phobia too so completely understand - I always look away or close my eyes when I get blood tests or injections.

One thing I've noticed (I was recently very ill and had to have a lot of blood tests, injections and three cannulas) was that the better hydrated I am, the less painful the needles are. If I'd drunk a lot of water in the hours beforehand I could hardly feel them going in.

Hotpinkangel19 · 21/03/2019 12:28

4 births and I had 2 cannulas. (First and 4th)

TurquoiseWeekend · 21/03/2019 13:51

I had one. I kept being sick and became dehydrated so had to be put on a drip. It didn't hurt, but I was aware of it being there.

Original poster
Dustyzest · 21/03/2019 20:52

Thanks everyone, you’re really reassuring me! I am booked into a Hypnobirthing course which I’m hopeful will help.

I think my therapist is basing it on his own experience (he talks about his wife and his children a bit), but part of me also thinks he might just be preparing me for a worst case scenario so I’ll do my homework (which is watching videos of cannulas being inserted! I’ve not actually done any of my homework yet as it’s too scary!). I’ve been really good with my sessions and have achieved thing I never thought I’d ever be able to do, but this is just one snag I’m struggling to get past.

It’s really reassuring to hear they’re not super common and that there are ways to minimise the effect. I think what troubles me the most is how it just stays in all plasticy and unnatural.

OP posts:
Original poster
Dustyzest · 21/03/2019 20:55

@carrielou87 I was like that! I tried to refuse them and they wouldn’t let me. The midwife was so awful to me about it at my booking appt I was in my car crying so much two separate women came to knock on the window to see if I was ok.

I went away and I had two Valium for my booking appt blood test 😬 but actually after about 8 CBT sessions I feel like I can do my next one without the Valium. But I won’t be looking at it or anything. And I’ll take a Valium with me just in case.

OP posts:
hammeringinmyhead · 22/03/2019 06:26

I did because I was dehydrated and then needed hormones after birth for 4 hrs to prevent hemorrhage. This was otherwise a straightforward birth.

Shortandsweet96 · 22/03/2019 07:09

If it makes any difference, the needle is only to get the cannula in. Then they take the needle out and it's just a plastic tube in your vein, nothing sharp. So the needle is only actually in you for a few seconds.

Sprintfinish · 22/03/2019 22:42

I hated blood tests but got over that while pregnant. I used to faint during them, but I got used to them, telling myself I'd be going through worse at the end!

I wasn't happy when told I would need a cannula at the start of labour, and somehow I ended up with one on each hand. At some point during a contraction I managed to pull one out my hand. Blood went everywhere and covered both midwife and DP who had to change. And a new cannula was put in, which I barely noticed.

The joy of childbirth!

MrsBartlettforthewin · 22/03/2019 22:48

No with first and second. Yes with third but only because the paramedic jumped the gun. It wasn't used at all.

1stTimeTina · 22/03/2019 22:54

Oh I had about four different ones (they kept coming out overnight ) had the induction drip then fluids then anti biotics then a blood transfusion , however there is so much going on that you hardly notice , if you can get through 9 months of pregnancy then you can get through this 👍☺️

pinkboa · 23/03/2019 01:55

Yes twice. Induction/antibiotics / c-sections.

They put warm compress to bring up veins... plus numbing cream. I felt nothing and once it was it that was it... I couldn't tell.

It depends on you labour and nurse/doctor. I will admit my first "set" was done by a junior and I ended up being a pin cushion and when she finally found a vein she put it by my elbow which was horrible to move. I asked for it to be changed the next day and had an experienced midwife do it.

Ask for someone senior.

Onceuponacheesecake · 23/03/2019 08:34

I did due to the epidural. I didn't need it the second time round but the first time round I needed antibiotics

Carrielou87 · 28/03/2019 16:33

At 36 weeks check today the midwives decided that I was not allowed to give birth there at my local unit and would have to travel 100 miles to the next hospital instead, unless I had another blood test. So I had another one today- I cried a lot, had numbing cream and the phlebotomist did it. It was actually really quick and painless this time, compared to the first one which was horrendous, painful, long and collapsed my veins. I asked her to NOT use the butterfly needle as it takes longer. It's not the pain I'm phobic of, its veins really and blood being taken from me. But I've done it now!

PanamaPattie · 29/03/2019 23:15

OP- I'm shocked that you were forced into having blood tests. Your MW forced you - is that right? This is not consent. If this happened as you say, please complain. You can refuse any and all treatment - including needles.

*Carrielou87 - MW don't decide where you give birth. Dreadful bullying behaviour.

BillywigSting · 29/03/2019 23:22

I had two, one in each hand. I was induced and had an epidural.

I let a student practice on me twice, hurt like a bugger. Said she was not allowed anywhere near me again and they were to get someone actually good at it to do it.

They roped in a fairly senior midwife and she was definitely more skilled, I barely felt one and didn't feel the other at all.

I would speak to your midwife before hand and have it in your notes that you need someone especially good at doing cannulas if you need one, due to your anxiety. It is most definitely a skill!

And if they mention students you are allowed to say no.

CoffeeRunner · 29/03/2019 23:31

I had one with DC1 because I had pre-eclampsia which was worsening & they needed to give me something or other via IV to try & speed up the contractions.

No need for a cannula with either DC2 or DC3.

Have you just been shown the actual bare cannula? As in just out of the packet? I think they are less scary if you see one being put in to an actual patient! The needle is very thin & they don’t go very deep at all.

But as for having one in childbirth - it’s not a foregone conclusion by any means, no.

CoffeeRunner · 29/03/2019 23:35

Of course midwives can decide a patient is not suitable for a midwife led unit Panama.

Perfectly normal. My local town has a beautiful state of the art midwife led unit. I’m yet to meet a woman in person who’s actually been deemed suitable to deliver there however! 🤔

FloofenHoofen · 29/03/2019 23:51

At the point in time of birth, you will be so focused on the pain of contractions, that a cannula will seem like nothing and you probably won't even notice.

But to put your mind at ease. A cannula would only be used if you were being induced or needed an epidural or some other reason like that. You would not need one for a normal birth.

Roxyxoxo · 30/03/2019 09:07

No, you won’t neccessarily have one- and if you do it’s because you need it. I used to be terrified of needles, but in labour I honestly couldn’t have given a hoot about them putting one in (I actually have 3 put in but still..); and actually it saves having loads of seperate things inserted. However, if it’s things going into your skin maybe ask if you do need one (which you probably won’t!) if they can somehow cover it enough that you can’t see it.

Carrielou87 · 31/03/2019 09:29

My blood tests came back fine but unfortunately my 36 week scan was not - low amniotic fluid. Resulting in more blood tests and ctg every couple of days, another scan next Friday to check fluid and possibly induce then. Definitely having to have my baby at the hospital 100 miles away now and having to get over my needle fears 😩

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 31/03/2019 09:52

I am needle phobic. I still hate giving blood, it's that bad. I've had about twenty cannulas - they're irritating and I detest the idea of them but they aren't actually that bad. You don't really feel it if it's well done. I don't know if that will help at all, but I hope it might! You won't definitely need one, and if you do; it won't be as bad as you think.

And I didn't even have any of mine in childbirth; where there is a fair chance you'll be distracted enough not to notice much Smile

All the best for the birth.

SpinningSister · 01/04/2019 00:58

I’m needle phobic and when I got an epidural at 8cm dialated I watched the cannula go in - I was in so much pain I didn’t care st that point and welcomes every step towards the epidural!

You never know how you will be once the time comes

flumpybear · 01/04/2019 01:04

I've had loads put in, ask for it to be put in your arm instead of hand as they're easier there imo
A few weeks ago I had to have a blood test done as may have needed overnight stay with iv antibiotics, I didn't in the end but was having bloods taken, I never look I just zone out or chat and the phlebotomist put in a vanilla without me even realising

Honestly, it's not thT bad - overthinking can be your enemy - which I know isn't helpful when you're phobic,