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 assume you could state a preference for a cannula side if you had good veins, they usually do a good look to see which veins would be best. I ended up with it at an awkward place on my wrist that I kept bending when I put pressure on my hands when I was contracting.
I got a catheter post birth for 24hours at the advice of the surgeon because of my stitches. I didn't tear that badly but because they were front and back it was advised.

I had a catheter once for a non childbirth thing. I didn't feel it at all though I had previously been dreading potentially having one during childbirth

First labour I had a cannula in back of hand as I kept being sick and needed fluids. Then kept it in as I had an emergency section, so also got a catheter. It was quite nice not having to get up to pee to be honest!!

second one was elective section so had both again.

My first was elective cesarean so had the standard cannulas and catheters. My second was a vbac. They inserted a cannula on my non writing wrist 'just in case' which they did end up needing, only because I didn't pee during or in the hour after. They catheterised me twice and removed after 10 (?) minutes both times with no output, I think once during and once after labour. Then they realised I had laboured alone and with midwives only, starting at 5am, so hadn't actually drunk anything since the night before! They gave me fluids via IV and squash which got my tiny bladder working again haha.

I've been induced twice as an inpatient, so had a cannula inserted as a matter of course. They were both inserted into the back of my left hand as: 1) It's not my dominant hand, and 2) My veins are far better in my hands than elsewhere.

With my first labour it was sited badly so that it caused a continual burning/irritated sensation. I got it re-sited as soon as I could. My second was pain free. Insertions hurt for a moment, but then goes away quite quickly. You can ask for a numbing cream to reduce that.

As for catheters, I didn't have an epidural with my first. Don't remember much about the actual labour, but I think I could pee. Second I did have an epidural, but it only went in a couple of hours before the decision was made to go to C-section. Where you are catheterised anyway.

First labour (induced, epidural), I had a cannula for the IV drugs. Second labour (spontaneous, G&A) they put one in ‘just in case’ - god knows why. Both times I asked for it to be put in my wrist as the idea of one in the back of my hand freaks me out.

First labour I had a catheter due to having an epidural. Second labour I had an ‘in out’ catheter due to not having done a wee for a while (actually it was just that I’d forgotten I had!) - it went in, and then they took it out almost instantly.

Third labour I had neither cannula nor catheter and the whole experience was much nicer!