https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 11 Apr 2026 21:28:45 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-ivs#post-78248 Sun, 19 Feb 2012 15:18:35 +0000 pelikila 78248@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was very afraid of getting the IV too but my OB told me I would be required to get the hep lock when I got to the hospital and that I should labor at home as long as possible. I did that and was in transition when I got the hospital and was given my hep lock and I don't even remember feeling it I was so focused on my contractions. Try not to let it scare you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-ivs#post-78246 Sun, 19 Feb 2012 15:13:36 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 78246@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was so worried about this because the only time I'd ever had blood drawn before pregnancy was seriously painful. Little did I know that the first time I had a HORRIBLE butcher of a nurse, and like @mrs. jacks says, pregnancy makes it easier for them to draw blood in the first place. I barely felt any of it throughout the 9 months or at the hospital. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-ivs#post-78214 Sun, 19 Feb 2012 13:01:27 +0000 MegWag 78214@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Doctors/RNs help me understand something. Why do American hospitals ban laboring women from eating and drinking (other than ice chips), but then insist that they have IV fluids? (Other than the whole aspiration argument which is EXTREMELY unlikely) It just seems like silly extra intervention... am I missing something? I'd much rather get fluids by drinking them than by having them pumped into me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-ivs#post-78194 Sun, 19 Feb 2012 11:20:38 +0000 anbanan15 78194@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am deathly afraid of needles also! Even thinking about them makes me arm hurt! Getting an IV was the thing I dreaded the most about L&amp;D and what scared me to death about an epi (I had a spinal tap before which hurt for weeks after and I was afraid the epi would be the same. I ended up getting one and it WAS NOTHING like my spinal experience). </p> <p>When I first arrived at the hospital the drew some blood, and as a result kept the line in so it was already in place if I decided to get the epi and because I was induced. They ended up blowing a vein and having to redraw blood, so for someone with a fear of needles I had my fix that day! But honestly it was all worth it in the end because those measures were necessary in order to get to the end goal...the birth of your LO! You'll do great mama! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-ivs#post-78132 Sun, 19 Feb 2012 01:28:49 +0000 MamaCate 78132@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just one other IV experience to share: I had to be induced since i went pasr my due date so i got set up with the iv for the pitocin and fluids when i got there. However, i was still able to move around with the pole like someone described above, so i walked the halls and spent some time on the birth ball too. So you getting the IV doesnt mean you cant move during labor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-ivs#post-78123 Sun, 19 Feb 2012 00:33:14 +0000 mrs. wagon 78123@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: I know how you feel, I really do. To this day one of the worst memories I have of labor and delivery was the IV. I hated the feeling of it taped to my hand. I also have small veins and have to get stuck many times to get blood drawn. I spiked a fever during labor so I had to get blood drawn during labor and that sucked... I think I threw up after getting stuck many times and then after they took six or seven tubes of blood.</p> <p>The only reason you'd need an IV is if you get an epidural or if you need antibiotics. I had both during labor. </p> <p>The good news is that if you get an epidural you shouldn't be afraid of that needle at all. I actually had to get 3 epidurals (long story) but I never saw a needle or felt anything in my back other than the tape, but they tape up your entire back so it didn't bother me nearly as much as the IV in the back of my hand. They give you a numbing shot before actually administering the epidural, and that kind of stings, but again, nothing like the constant IV. The worst part of the epidural was having to stay in the curled-up position while having contractions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-ivs#post-78117 Sat, 18 Feb 2012 23:57:14 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 78117@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: Your veins will be much easier to get when you are pregnant because of the increased blood flow. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-ivs#post-78114 Sat, 18 Feb 2012 23:45:54 +0000 policewife10811 78114@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hep locks don't have you tied to anything. Just there for easy access in an emergency. Trust me when you and/or your baby are at risk that's not when you want anyone starting your IV. It will most likely be rushed and not as gentle ( just my opinion as an LD RN). Most Drs require iv access once actual labor has started (which means your cervix is changing). Having fluids running is also helpful for babies who are having decelerations of the heart rate. Just some extra info. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-ivs#post-76883 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:10:41 +0000 chopsuey 76883@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>They put a really thick IV needle in my arm early on. I still have a little scar 11 months later! I was too distracted by everything else that was going on to feel the pain though. Not sure what the IV was for, but I'm guessing it was to keep me hydrated. I also got some pain meds through my IV before asking for my epidural. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-ivs#post-76692 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:37:09 +0000 MrsBrewer 76692@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sloaneandpuffy: I guess I have been really trying hard lately too to "toughen up" but I think my problem is, is that I have incredibly small veins and they are apparently really hard to find. So when I need blood tests done all I can think of is them digging around in my arm looking for my vein! Once they tried both of my arms, on top of both of my hands, then they finally gave up and put an IV on the top of my foot because they could see it the best (that was when I had my MRI done) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-ivs#post-76691 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:36:28 +0000 lemondrop 76691@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a terrible fear of needles prior to pregnancy, during pregnancy you get over it. I used to be a sobbing mess, but now as long as I don't look, I'm fine. </p> <p>My hospital required a heparin lock to be put in once I was admitted- not hooked up to fluids, but they could quickly if there was an emergency. </p> <p>Once I decided to get the epidural, they required a liter of fluids to be given before they could give the epidural. The nurse was squeezing the bag to get it in as quickly as possible since I was in so much pain. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-ivs#post-76690 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:36:18 +0000 daniellemybelle 76690@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You can refuse almost anything you want at the hospital. They may just give you a hard time and make you sign a release, but they aren't going to turn you away because you refuse the IV. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-ivs#post-76686 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:35:10 +0000 MrsBrewer 76686@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yin: Oh no! That's kind of that I am afraid of. When I was at my friends home birth, it was amazing she got up labored in the pool for awhile, sat on her bed, a ball, anything and everything to help her cope. I just hope that I will get that same kind of freedom when the time comes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-ivs#post-76679 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:27:44 +0000 mamimami 76679@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with @mrsbells and @artbee. Needles will be nothing by the time you get to childbirth. I used to hate needles but I womaned up really quickly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-ivs#post-76677 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:27:05 +0000 yin 76677@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: I was pretty much limited to staying in bed, and I absolutely hated it. If I could do it all over again I would have requested for them to delay it until absolutely necessary. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-ivs#post-76674 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:25:32 +0000 MrsBrewer 76674@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Great information everyone.....I really appreciate it. I just like to be well informed before anything! So knowing all this to prepare myself is great! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-ivs#post-76658 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:19:33 +0000 SAHM0811 76658@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>IV's provide access for you to get fluids intravenously during labor. It will keep you hydrated. As a heplock, it will provide doctors and nurses with quick access to give you medications should you need them (a huge benefit in case of an emergency). If you get a heplock, you aren't tied to anything unless you need to be. If you have fluids running and want to walk, you could walk around while the fluids are hanging on a pole that you would push with you as you walk (or your partner can help with this). You will need an IV if you get an epidural or a CSection. I would advise that if this problem with IVs is huge enough, that you try to labor at home as much as possible before going to the hospital. Or find a birthing center that has more flexible policies re: IV fluids during labor. Talk with your doc or midwife about it, of course too.</p> <p>ETA: sorry I repeated lots of the replies that were already given! I also wanted to tell you that if the fear is about needles alone, know that the only use a needle to insert the IV. Once it's in place, the needle is retracted and thrown out. Think of the IV as just a small plastic tube.. That's all it is really! Hope that helps!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-ivs#post-76657 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:19:28 +0000 LivsMama 76657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: its not so bad. Like I said, just a little needle they tape down until they need it to administer fluids or antibiotics or meds. if you dont need any of that you are usually free to walk around </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-ivs#post-76648 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:16:58 +0000 Mrsbells 76648@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i think by the time you get to labor your fear of needles would have calmed down a bit considering how much blood work you have to do during pregnancy. I started out being terrified of needles and now I dont even flinch when they mention that more blood work is needed.<br /> On the flip side you dont have to hooked to an IV unless you are taking meds such as the antibiotics for those who have Strep etc. I know people who had hospital births and were free to walk around and werent hooked up to anything.. I hope to do the same </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-ivs#post-76643 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:16:31 +0000 MrsBrewer 76643@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LivsMama: Very interesting! I didn't know what I was picturing it with that huge pole of bags. Alright well that wouldn't be horrible then </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-ivs#post-76641 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:15:41 +0000 MrsBrewer 76641@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I could just be naive since I've never been through this before....but it just sounds unnecessary? Isn't it good for the mother to be walking around during labor if they can that is! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-ivs#post-76640 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:14:57 +0000 LivsMama 76640@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>you arent confined to the bed with a hep-lock. Its basically a rubber needle they leave in the vein with a piece of rubber tubing with heparin (an anti-coagulant) in it, then its clamped off. its not attached to the pole or a bag of fluids or anything until they set that up. If you need hydration/quick meds, they can very quickly attach it to the hep-lock and get it to you immediately. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-ivs#post-76639 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:14:05 +0000 heffalump 76639@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: They like to have it there in case there's an emergency, so they don't have to take the time to find a vein and prick you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-ivs#post-76638 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:13:08 +0000 prettylizy 76638@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it depends on the hospital/dr, but I've discussed with my doula and she said I could just refust the IV if it's not medically necessary. No reason to hook me up to anything unless I need it, she just said "You have to be firm" I want to be able to move around as much as possible, so the IV would be a pain. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-ivs#post-76635 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:12:20 +0000 MrsBrewer 76635@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Why do you have to be hooked up to an IV? What is the point of that if everything is going ok? When we decide to have children I am like you YIN, I will want to go as long as I can naturally.....but with the IV in me, aren't you constrained to the bed then? Can you walk around still? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-ivs#post-76628 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:09:49 +0000 LivsMama 76628@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>a Hep-Lock was mandatory in my hopsital as well, vaginal or c-section (I had a c-sec, so I knew needles would be involved.) my hep-lock was in my arm though, just above my wrist. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-ivs#post-76627 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:09:24 +0000 yin 76627@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My birth plan was to go naturally for as long as possible. The hospital required me to have an IV in as soon as I was admitted. I didn't mind the needle, but I hated being hooked up without actually needing it in the beginning. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-ivs#post-76607 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:58:13 +0000 MrsBrewer 76607@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That's what my DH has said, and I really hope that's the case! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-ivs#post-76606 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:57:40 +0000 looch 76606@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A hep-lock was mandatory in my hospital, it was inserted into my hand. It pinched going in, but I was glad I had it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hospital-birth-ivs#post-76598 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:54:04 +0000 heffalump 76598@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You'll probably be in too much pain from contractions to even realize there's an IV :) </p>