IV Question POLL

Jalee85

hamiltks10 said:

Ayreka said:

Amjoy25 said:

OMG. An IV will not hurt to have; not only is it access for blood transfusions, but also if your heart stops or they need to start CPR and give you medications. Birth is dangerous, mmmkay. And yes, they can put in a saline lock without fluids, but fluids are always good as you will be losing a percentage of yours while giving birth. 

If you are drinking on your own and don't have to be pumped full of fluids I don't see how having the line running is better. If you have the saline lock they can give you meds immediately.

The fluids contribute to swelling post birth and they can artificially raise the babies birth weight. That may not seem like a big deal until they start pushing you to supplement because the baby has lost "too much weight too quickly".

This.  And giving birth is not dangerous.  It is a completely natural process that most women, if left alone, should be able to do without many of the routine interventions pushed today.


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Right and this is why back before medical intervention was standard, so many woman died from "natural" child birth! Just because it's natural doesn't negate the risk to the mother...

ETA - and baby! Can't forget about the LO's!

Octoberbabe

Per my OB I will be required to have a saline locked IV due to gestational diabetes. Which is a good reason to have one. IV access is a great thing to have when you end up needing it!

mistygurl26

I am I the only one who feels that the answers to the poll are too biased? Can't I hear what the hospital has to say and choose to follow or not follow advice based on that? I am an L&D nurse and I would ALWAYS get an IV. Problems can happen fast and you don't have time to waste. Yes fluids can potentially slow labor but, if your baby is't getting enough blood flow that is MORE dangerous. Especially in the Summer when more mothers are dehydrated. Labor never goes exactly as planned. When its at the end what matter is a healthy baby. Hands down. 

nortonmol

My hospital also requires a hep lock. If do it anyway though. My good friend delivered with a midwife group that let her go without an IV. After she delivered she started hemorrhaging and almost bled out, needed a blood transfusion and it was an incredibly close call because it took them a long time to try to start an IV. better safe than sorry in my book.

RebC1981

You will lose a lot of fluid during the birth itself I suggest at the very least you take the fluids even if you are not getting an epidural. The fluids they give you are not medication -- they  will keep you hydrated. Most hospitals will not let you eat/drink once you go into active labor. Mine will not -

Even though I got fluids during the birth of my son, I nearly passed out when they made me get out of bed and try to pee after giving birth. A few hours later and still to painful to pee so they inserted a foley catheter for a full day. ugh.