Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Childbirth

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

Original poster

Hand Cannulas

51 replies

CartoBarto · 02/01/2023 18:56

The last time I had a a hand cannula it was legitiately more painful than the actual emergency I was in the hospital for. I know cannulas are a normal part of giving birth in a hospital and was wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience with them? Online it says they aren't supposed to hurt but when I had one put in it was aching and burning the whole time.
Thank you for your replies!

OP posts:
NConcemore · 02/01/2023 19:07

I had to have one for my first Labour because I was massively dehydrated but I asked them to put it higher up in the side of my wrist. It's more 'fleshy' so I guess hurts less but also I would get really anxious about it catching on something and tearing (no idea if that's even possible) and it feels less likely there.

Second Labour I didn't need to have one. I was obsessively downing water and squash to avoid becoming dehydrated and needing one! I really hate the thought of them!

Tumilnaughts · 02/01/2023 19:07

I had this with my first birth and so with my second I told them not to put it in my hand. I asked them to put it anywhere else they could so it didn't hurt. They ended up putting it in a safe spot in my arm. Just ask!

Orangesare · 02/01/2023 19:10

I had one both times. Get someone who is really experienced to put it in. Say your really nervy and have bad veins.

HeyyyMrNoodle · 02/01/2023 19:12

I had one in my hand during labour and I didn't even notice them do it, but I was pretty far along at that point so was quite distracted!

Maybe just explain your previous experience to them upfront ☺️

girlmom21 · 02/01/2023 19:13

I haven't had a cannula with either birth. Don't worry!

AHobbyaweek · 02/01/2023 19:13

You are allowed to decline until actually necessary. They put one in "in case" but you can accept or decline.
I always prefer them in the crook of my arm.

crimbocountdown · 02/01/2023 19:15

I've had them in a few places mainly due to lots of hospital admittances when pregnant with my twins - I found on my wrist area much better and less likely to get snagged on anythin

Caspianberg · 02/01/2023 19:16

I have never heard of them being used routinely. Never had one or it mentioned during birth

oviraptor21 · 02/01/2023 19:17

Since when did this become a thing? Just say no thank you?

Nursemumma92 · 02/01/2023 19:20

You can request it in the crook of your arm but bear in mind if you are being induced and need a continuous infusion then this will mean you need to keep your arm continually straight and can restrict your movements which you may find awkward when labouring. If they just want to put one in for 'just in case' or antibiotics then it's not a problem there.

It is not routine for all women to have cannulas inserted for birth in hospital, but if you require IV drugs, have an epidural, or are at a higher risk of haemorrhage then they are inserted.

Shoopdadoop · 02/01/2023 19:22

Waves back at OP.

Yes I remember the pain.

They tried to put it in with me howling and failed many times.

They got someone else to come do it. I was in tears. I epilate my legs with no pain killers, get face threaded, no painkillers (poss PCOS type condition). I take pride in being able to "take" pain.

Had it done since during labour and was fine. Just that one particular time I likened it to being stabbed and the knife twisted.

FP1000 · 02/01/2023 19:26

Yes the hand hurts and stings. I was in for a while after mine. It was horrible I kept catching it and I couldn't wash my hands properly so I asked them to move it. It's your decision.

bluepencils1 · 02/01/2023 19:26

Honestly the thought of having to have a cannula was more scary than actually giving birth for me, I was so needle phobic and always had been and it made me feel faint and sick just thinking about it. I did end up having to have one and I hardly remember it, it certainly wasn't really traumatic or painful as I thought, I think I had the gas and air while they were giving it and I had let them know how anxious I was with needles beforehand therefore I'm sure they made sure it was done by someone with more experience rather than the student purely so it was more likely to be put in first attempt.

WeWereInParis · 02/01/2023 19:28

I had one in my arm during labour (induced due to PPROM so needed IV antibiotics) and it was really painful. And then they wouldn't take it out for ages after DD was born because I mentioned I felt a bit shaky, so they wanted to keep it in in case it was needed for fluids I guess. They'll left quite a long tube attached to it which kept getting in the way when I was picking DD up. I know they can be necessary but I hate them. I had to cry to get them to take it out hours after I'd given birth.

MojoJojo71 · 02/01/2023 19:28

I asked for and was given some local anaesthetic before they put mine in. They aren’t always necessary but when needed they use quite big cannulas in obstetrics so it’s worth asking.

ofwarren · 02/01/2023 19:29

I find crook of the arm far less painful so I ask for it there.

AwkwardPaws27 · 02/01/2023 19:35

They wanted to give me one on admission as I was dehydrated but I asked if I needed it urgently & if not could I have an hour or so to try & rectify it by drinking fluids instead.

The midwife seemed a bit surprised but agreed it wasn't urgent (first labour, 4-5cm) so I had water, lucozade & toast (threw up the first lot but tried again!) & when they retested my urine a couple of hours later it was all fine & no cannula was needed.

Obviously if they'd have said it was urgent that I have IV fluids I'd have agreed, but it meant I was calmer as I was anxious about having one.

Greybeardy · 02/01/2023 19:35

OP, meaning this gently, have you talked to your midwife/anyone in real life about your anxieties? You’ve started multiple threads all on a similar theme in the last couple of days & it sounds like real-life support might be more useful for you than this sort of forum. You’re always going to find a wide range of experiences here and they may not be at all applicable to you/your pregnancy.

aureus3012 · 02/01/2023 19:37

I thought it was horrendously painful too....that was until I had to have a local anaesthetic directly into my nipple. That was the worst pain I've ever felt!

Ihatethenewlook · 02/01/2023 19:37

I had a hand cannula in when I’ve been sick in hospital, it was extremely unpleasant and somewhat painful. I can’t imagine me paying much attention to one if I had one in actual labour though.

HippeePrincess · 02/01/2023 19:38

It’s really not routine so I wouldn’t worry about it.

rainydogday · 02/01/2023 19:41

Midwife here. The only reason they would suggest one is if you need one for example, were induced, needed labour speeding up, epidural or if you had a previous c/s or a haemorrhage last time. They often put it in your hand as if it's in the crook of your arm it's much more likely to fall out or not work, as labour tends to make you move about. They usually ask to put one in prior to labour if you have had a previous issue as doing it whilst dealing with an emergency is much more difficult. You could ask for numbing cream Grin

Rookriver · 02/01/2023 19:49

I had one with both labours. First time in hand, second time in arm which was much better

MummyJ36 · 03/01/2023 18:19

I had one for my ELCS and they gave me a bit of local anaesthetic to numb the area. It was as I was about to have my spinal so I was less concerned about that and more about the large needle in my back (although that was ok too in the end).

if you’re worried ask if you can have some local injected beforehand to numb it.

Hermie12 · 03/01/2023 18:24

for me it was the most painful part of having my daughter via C section. I thought it may have been that particular nurse ? But honestly after that the spinal , section and recovery were tame .