Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

Do you really have to have needles in your hand during labour...

59 replies

applestrudels · 03/12/2019 19:04

... even if you're not being induced or have any other complications?

I was just browsing on another pregnancy forum, that's dominated by Americans, and someone put a pic up of herself in labour with loads of needles stuck in her hand, and someone asked if it was a normal to have them even with no complications, and tons of people replied saying yes, they put them in your hand when you arrive at the hospital even if there's no immediate need, and keep them there until you leave, just in case you later need an IV at some point later on for whatever reason.

Now I get really woozy at the thought of needles, to the point where I declined the screening for Edwards and Patau's after nearly passing out in the street following the blood test at my booking in appointment. (I haven't ruled out an epidural, but I think I could cope with that needle because I wouldn't be able to see it or feel it as much, and I don't have any problems with injections in my arm as I can't see the vein and they're very quick).

But anyway, I feel like in America they seem to do tons of unnecessary tests and procedures and stuff that we don't do here, so I thought it sounds unlikely they'd do that in Britain if it wasn't necessary... but would they? (I'm also probably going to give birth in a midwife led unit that's attached to a hospital, if that makes any difference). Can someone reassure me?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

xmaself24 · 03/12/2019 19:05

I didn't have any needles during labour.

moreismore · 03/12/2019 19:05

Wouldn’t happen in a midwife unit in the uk

flissity · 03/12/2019 19:06

In My first labour, I did as I was being induced using a drip.

2nd- I did not. It was a natural spontaneous labour, water birth in a midwife led unit. Had an injection for the placenta, but that’s all! And I didn’t even know that injection was happening (obvs I had put in my notes I wanted it)

Good luck

Temponaut · 03/12/2019 19:07

4 labours. 1 induction.

No needles in my hand.

TheGriffle · 03/12/2019 19:08

One natural labour, one induction via pessary, no needles in my hand needed at all.

Jollitwiglet · 03/12/2019 19:08

I've given birth on a midwife led unit and the labour ward. No needles either time. They tend not to unless you actually need it

trevthecat · 03/12/2019 19:10

With first and second I did (highly medicated) 3rd I had nothing. Not even the injection for the placenta. It wasn't needed.

NotYourHun · 03/12/2019 19:10

Straightforward vaginal delivery with gas and air wouldn’t need one. If you chose to have an epidural, you would also need a cannula but you could request that the anaesthetist site it so it’s quick and fuss free (many midwives are also great but anaesthetists are definitely experts and are great with nervous patients and difficult veins usually). Obviously if you had any excessive bleeding or needed to go to theatre a cannula would be sited but it would likely not even register in those eventualities.

EmmaJR1 · 03/12/2019 19:10

2 labours, no needles! Although I did have an in and out catheter which stung but I couldn't see it anyway.

Meshy12 · 03/12/2019 19:12

Baby and I did have to have Three IVs because I ended up not dilating enough and needing an emergency c section and getting an infection.

Three because I’m allergic to penicillin.

I was a rarity amongst my friends so I wouldn’t worry

In any case it wasn’t painful.

Stickytoffee1987 · 03/12/2019 19:13

2 labours, both inductions. Both labours i had to have 2 needles (1 in each hand) 1 was for the drip to bring on labour and the other was for insulin. I also had the epidural both times.

Elbeagle · 03/12/2019 19:13

3 labours, 1 induction, no needles!

Cohle · 03/12/2019 19:14

I didn't. The US approach to labour and delivery is really different. I wouldn't assume that a US forum would necessarily reflect much about what you will experience in the UK.

MissPepper8 · 03/12/2019 19:15

Consultant led (as I had a hind waters leak) had to be induced via drip.

Depends if you need fluid, or if you are induced and the pessaries don't work they move on to the drip. They gave me 2 lots of pessaries, contractions stop started, wanted to restart process in 2 days time. I asked them to check me anyway, and I had more waters come out so they thought it was my front and put me on the drip.

My sister was all natural though, don't think she had to have a cannula.

avidteadrinker · 03/12/2019 19:16

I did because my waters had broken but nothing happened for 24 hours so I was induced. The IV was for antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection

HappyGoLuckyLuLu · 03/12/2019 19:16

Had my 2 kids while living in America & yes cannula with IV for fluids to avoid dehydration & in case anything else needed administered. Probably wasn't actually necessary as births were very straight forward but I didn't know any different so went with it.

zafferana · 03/12/2019 19:17

In the USA yes it's normal. Births are very medicalised there! In the UK if you're having a normal delivery/water birth/then no. If you need surgery then yes you would be hooked up to a canula.

Pilot12 · 03/12/2019 19:19

Two babies, one born in labour ward and one in Midwife Led Unit. No needle in hand for either birth. I'm in Central Scotland.

iamNOTmagic · 03/12/2019 19:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Runningonempty84 · 03/12/2019 19:24

I needed a canula in for antibiotics throughout my first labour, as I tested positive for group B strep. So yes, you sometimes need needles without surgery, and during a "normal" delivery (whatever normal means!)

JurassicShay · 03/12/2019 19:25

Didn't with dc1&2 but did with dc3 & will with dc4. I'm allergic to general anaesthetic so will have a cannula put in as soon as I get to hospital.

Purpleartichoke · 03/12/2019 19:25

In the us, they start an iv as soon as you show up to the hospital and refuse to remove it until minutes before discharge. I’ve had to fight to get it placed in my arm instead of my hand because I’ve had problems with hand placement in the past.

Goodnightjude1 · 03/12/2019 19:29

3 labours, no needles.

AugustRose · 03/12/2019 19:33

5 labours but only one needle (canula) for antibiotics after group B strep found during my last pregnancy.

iheartyoux · 03/12/2019 19:34

2 labours, no needles.
I have a fear of needles and only time a needle came near me was to have bloods

Flip

1 2 3