IVs and Catheter Questions

[CartoBarto]

I'm 3 months along and was wondering if it's more common to get an IV in your hand or in your arm? Do they ask which side you would prefer it on?
Also, in what scenario would they use a catheter on you? Is it only for epidurals or C-sections?
Thank you for your replies

I had a catheter at one point during my first labour because I couldn't empty my bladder no matter how hard I tried.

With IVs I think it was just wherever they could get one in - particularly in my second labour where my veins all but disappeared!

A cannula is typically in the back of your hand, and maternity typically use larger sizes in the event of blood loss.

A catheter is typically only used for C-sections as an epidural doesn't stop you getting up and using the bathroom

@Pinkflipflop85 I had the same issue, unable to pee, with 1st labour (epidural) and 2nd labour (water birth).

I had a catheter after first labour as I needed surgery for retained placenta. My cannula was put in the back of my hand for the surgery, however due to my veins it was very hard to put in and very painful to have it removed. No catheter or cannula for second labour as he was born in an ambulance. Third labour midwives attempted to put cannula in back of hand, they tried both hands, but it wasn't possible so it was put in my arm, even then it took a few attempts. In the end cannula wasn't needed for the delivery

Cannula generally in back of your hand/wrist area. I had a catheter as I had an epidural for pain relief. I didn't have a c section.

No catheter or cannula for either of my two. Do you know this is something you need to worry about?

I had my IV in the back of my hand everytime and a catheter was placed the two times I had an epiderural as you are not allowed to get up and move about once it's in. I got it out a few hours after the births

Nothing with my first, cannula for fluids with my second.

I had a real thing about hospitals and anything medical, and by the time I was due with my two I couldn’t wait to get there and get them out! Try not to think about the detail, go with the flow and enjoy your pregnancy. X

They’ll put a cannula where ever they can get one best be that hand or acf (atm)

Catheterisation is only required if you can’t get up and walk straight away - epidural or c section

*arm

Hi @CartoBarto i had an epidural and an emergency c section in October.
They tried putting the IV in my right hand but the vain wasn't good enough so put it in my left hand, so i think you may have an option.
I had a catheter for a couple of days as i had an epidural.
Hope the above helps 😊

IV will go wherever has the best veins
I had an epidural and also a catheter as it was one where you couldn't walk. I didnt feel it though because of the epidural :) it was odd though having someone come and harvest my pee every few hours 😅

Hi op, I had 2 cannulas (one in each wrist an inch or so below the base of my thumbs if that makes sense) as an emergency because I lost too much blood and lost consciousness. I'm not sure why I had 2. They were not painful but a bit annoying as I couldn't then bend my wrists properly to cuddle Baby DC. I then had a catheter inserted because I was on oxygen for a while and couldn't get out of bed to wee. I think they needed to monitor my output maybe too? They put fluids first in my cannulas and then antibiotics later. This was with my first DC. They took everything out the next day, catheter first and cannulas a few hours later and then I was ok to go home.

For my second I had neither.

I had a cannula put into the back of my hand with my first baby.

They did it as soon as I got to the labour ward 'just in case'. It annoyed the shit out of me. I had to have monitors on as well. During transition I just wanted to rip them all off. Hated it all.

They didn't even need the cannula either.

For my second labour I put on my birth plan that I didn't want any cannulas unless they were going to use them. Thankfully I got to have a water birth that time and no one touched me in my lovely warm bubble.

Didn't need a catheter either time.

No cannulas or catheters.

Not even something I thought about being a possibility. Now grateful I didn't have epidurals as I'm hoping to avoid catheters as much as possible in life.

Cannulas are there ‘just incase’ as in an emergency they don’t have to faff around putting one there as it’s already in place immediately ready for meds. Also if you were to haemorrhage badly your veins can shut done making it harder to cannulate

Tbf I know why they did it. I'd had a small bleed in early labour so it was a reasonable just in case.

I still hated the thing though. In transition I went very primal. I didn't want anything touching me. I almost did rip the monitors off.

For my second labour I was on the birth centre and hadn't had any bleeding. Being in that pool was amazing. No one could touch me. DH said I went really quiet when I entered transition. I apparently went into my own world and just said calmly that I needed to push.

I've had a catheter in my hand and in the crook of my elbow in different labours. I've only had CSections, obvs with catheter both times.

Are you particularly worried about either of these two options, op?

Two labours and never had an IV catheter.

I did get catheterised (urine) in my second Labour- apparently bladder in the way. It was fine though and didn’t stay in.

I had an epidural and didn't have a catheter. Kept reminding the midwife to drain my bladder intermittently because as a nurse I'd heard horror stories of women being left with long term bladder problems when this had been neglected.

Two emergency sections here.

First birth I had a cannula in both hands as I had a big blood loss and transfusion. Catheter for 3 days.

Second birth was 17 days ago and I had one cannula and catheter for 2 days. 12 hours was standard on my ward but there was an issue with my bladder so my wee needed monitoring.

With my first baby I had a PPH so had a cannula in the back of my hand after birth while they tested to see if I needed a transfusion. I didn’t end up needing the cannula at all. I also had a catheter as I hadn’t done a wee for quite a while after birth but nothing happened when I tried to wee. Literally in and out, I had to go for a wee normally before they would discharge me but no problems. With my second they placed a cannula in the back of my hand when I went in, just in case, as I had a PPH the first time. Didn’t need the cannula that time either. I had a catheter during labour with second as again I couldn’t wee, so just in and out. I think the babies must have been sitting in or pushing on something when they came down as again no problems after that.

For birth it would be preferable to cannulate hands due to moving more, acf, or elbow is generally preferred though as its lower risk of infection than hand. However not everyone needs cannulation.

Catheter generally only if you need intervention.

Mine was in my right hand (just checked as have a very tiny faint scar from it).