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Pregnancy

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

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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?

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Mumshappy · 03/12/2019 19:36

Three labours no needles

babycatcher411 · 03/12/2019 19:37

It’s entirely situation dependant. If you are completely low risk, spontaneous labourer then no indication.
Some higher risk women will be offered one, during a spontaneous labour, if their risk factors indicate a need- ie acute anaemia, and previous haemorrhages are risk factors for having a haemorrhage, so it would be indicated in this instance to site a cannula ‘just in case’, for example.

Most other instances it would only be sited if it was actually needed-ie for antibiotics, or as part of the induction process etc.

Dumptyhumpty101 · 03/12/2019 19:38

No needles here either

rosieposies · 03/12/2019 19:38

I had one. I was induced due to a bleed. I found it very upsetting but was told they needed easy access if there was an emergency.

HollowTalk · 03/12/2019 19:40

No needles here, but had to really think about it to remember. You have to realise you won't care less about anything when you're in labour - it's all-consuming. Best of luck.

Stuffingandsprouts · 03/12/2019 19:41

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

Presumably because they can then charge a fee for it. DDad lived in the states for 15 years until recently. He was forevever moaning about unnecessary stuff they did/bloods ordered because they could add a cost on for it (even though his insurance actually paid)

iusedtoloveopalfruits1 · 03/12/2019 19:45

I had to have a spinal as baby was stuck and needed forceps so they put the needle in to take me to theatre but by then i wasn’t caring what they did as long as they got the baby out

JolieOBrien · 03/12/2019 19:47

@applestrudels

I had no intravenous drips or needles as you stated. In the US a lot of women have an epidurals for pain relief. I never had one but if it is a long labour and you are in pain you will have a drip incase you need a c section but most women don't need them. With my second baby I had no pain relief because my labour had already progressed before I came to hospital so it was quick and painful but bearable.

BertieBotts · 03/12/2019 19:47

No, not in the UK. Don't worry.

However:

I pondered this because I had my second in Germany and I had heard the main city hospital made you do it. I didn't want it and so I opted for a smaller hospital I'd heard didn't make you. I then had a positive GBS test in late pregnancy (again not standard in the UK, so unlikely to be something you'd have) which meant I needed to have antibiotic drips during labour, so I did need one after all. And it was fine. The needle is only in for a second and then it is replaced with a flexible tube, which doesn't hurt and doesn't impede movement. (I only had to be on the actual drip for about 10 minutes once every 4 hours). When I told them I was anxious about needles and I was dreading this they were very kind and bandaged up my hand afterwards, so I could neither see it or feel it. And once labour started properly, it honestly didn't register at all and I used my hand just as normal. In hindsight it was not worth worrying about and I will 100% give birth in the main city hospital even if I don't have the GBS positive next time. It was a total non issue and I am a needle phobe. I now can't believe I cared enough about it to deny myself gas and air which was a huge mistake!

user1019273703 · 03/12/2019 19:47

No. I only had one post delivery for complications.

Jodie77 · 03/12/2019 19:48

It's a cannula it's so That if they need to give you medication they can (and quickly). Three labours, all inductions and I had canulas in my arms, wrists, hands, and even my foot at one point.

Jodie77 · 03/12/2019 19:49

I have health problems and complicated pregnancies and they were expecting to give me and giving me lots of Medications (all in the UK)

jbfletcher1 · 03/12/2019 19:51

Had a cannula as wanted a epidural but baby came too fast. Actually pulled it out at some point by accident & only noticed cause the sheets were stained in blood.

MrsHardbroom · 03/12/2019 19:51

It's prob quite important that you don't rule this out- it might be considered necessary in the event of complications. If you mention this to your midwife, she might be able to arrange a session with an obstetric anaesthetist- some hospitals run sessions for pregnant women who are needle phobic.

CaviarAndCigarettes · 03/12/2019 19:52

Three labours. First I needed cannulating because of excess amniotic fluid.

Second nothing at all no needles.

Third needed cannulating because my placenta was failing and I had to be ready for surgery. Luckily they got it in when they did because I haemorrhaged after the birth and had to rush to surgery.

Often it will not be needed. But if they need to do it and can explain the medical reasoning it usually tends to be a good reason

WishMyNameWasWittyNotShitty · 03/12/2019 19:53

For both labours I didn't (started on midwife led and ended up on main delivery).

The only time I did was after a birth as I had a PPH and they wanted to get fluids in quickly, and tbh I didn't even feel them do it.

mumof1babe · 03/12/2019 19:54

I am from Scotland and had a straightforward pregnancy and labour with my son, only needle I required was in my bum when I asked for diamorphine 😂

Original poster

applestrudels · 03/12/2019 20:00

Thanks for all your answers everyone, that's such a relief! I know that there might be some situations where a cannula/needle/IV is required, and obviously if it is medically necessary then I would just have to put up with it, I was just getting a bit freaked out at the thought of having one the entire time for no real reason, but you have all greatly reassured me!

OP posts:

Original poster

applestrudels · 03/12/2019 20:07

@BertieBotts

That is very reassuring to hear, thanks! I'm very glad to hear I won't be forced to have one for no reason, but it is good to know that if I do need one it won't bother me as much as I think it will right now!

OP posts:

Dustyzest · 03/12/2019 20:09

@applestrudels I posted something v similar before my baby was born.

I was severely needle phobic to the point where I couldn’t have my booking in bloods taken as I had such a bad panic attack.

I got referred as a priority case for CBT and had two blood tests and my jabs no problem after! I put it in my notes that I would prefer to avoid needles and I definitely didn’t want a cannula unless it was completely unavoidable - luckily I didn’t need it, although I did need a jab to help the placenta along but by that point I was so knackered and shellshocked I barely noticed.

It’s honestly worth looking into CBT if you are very frightened. It’s helped when I’ve had to take my baby for her jabs too. Best of luck, I know it’s tough!

EmrysAtticus · 03/12/2019 20:10

I was shocked when looking at pictures of me post birth to realise that I had a needle in my hand, I had no memory of it whatsoever as I was completely delirious with exhaustion. Turns out it was just for fluids because I had been pushing so long and not drinking anything.

Blahblahblahnanana · 03/12/2019 20:16

Cannulas are a piece of plastic that goes into a vein, they are not needles.... A needle is used to put the cannula into the vein but it’s plastic that is left in situ.

PeonyTruffle · 03/12/2019 20:17

Nope, no needles here. I had a blood test once DS was here as I was rhesus and they needed some blood but that was it, I bloody hate needles so was very happy with this arrangement :)

Newmumma83 · 03/12/2019 20:19

No needles for me. I suspect if you do need one you won’t care if in the middle of labour .. it’s a highly distracting activity not much else matters.

Big congratulations though! Being a mummy is awesome

wineandsunshine · 03/12/2019 20:21

Four births...no canulas or needles.

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