https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 09 Apr 2026 23:08:52 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-you-get-an-iv-during-labor#post-143370 Tue, 01 May 2012 09:56:48 +0000 volksgirl64 143370@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got an IV of magnesium because my BP was through the roof. Then later with the epidural. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-you-get-an-iv-during-labor#post-143349 Tue, 01 May 2012 09:49:38 +0000 purrpletulips 143349@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was induced and my IV was put on a pole that I could bring along with me when I walked around. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-you-get-an-iv-during-labor#post-139791 Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:31:49 +0000 MegWag 139791@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I ended up with 2. One with 2 ports for pitocin and antibiotics because I spiked a fever after my waters had been broken for about 30 hours. I think I also had saline at some point through one of those ports, but don't really remember. The other port was for Remifentanil, the drug I ended up having at 35 hours when I couldn't have an edpidural due to risk of paralysis.<br /> If things had gone as planned, I wouldn't have had an IV at all... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-you-get-an-iv-during-labor#post-139770 Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:12:35 +0000 pelikila 139770@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a hep lock put in so if during labor something went wrong and they quickly needed to give me something they already had access to a vein but I didn't get hooked up to anything until after delivery when I got some pitocin to help my uterus contract during recovery. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-you-get-an-iv-during-labor#post-139652 Thu, 26 Apr 2012 23:27:33 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 139652@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@runsyellowlites: i have snacks and juice packed in my hospital bag!! I am totally going to sneak it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-you-get-an-iv-during-labor#post-139607 Thu, 26 Apr 2012 22:03:13 +0000 Mrs. Pen 139607@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was induced, but they also used my IV for a saline drip (for hydration) although I was allowed to drink and eat as much as I wanted.</p> <p>I think that as long as you have no risks, you CAN get up and move. I actually received a pamphlet from my midwife that lists the rights of women in labor/delivery and one of them is the freedom to move around as they please as long as there is no medical reason to keep them confined to a bed. You can look it up if you're worried about the hospital not allowing it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-you-get-an-iv-during-labor#post-139604 Thu, 26 Apr 2012 22:01:03 +0000 regberadaisy 139604@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You can still walk around with a IV...at least at my hospital. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-you-get-an-iv-during-labor#post-139601 Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:55:55 +0000 skibobrown 139601@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it depends on the hospital. They weren't going to give me an IV at my hospital due to my natural birth plan. When that went completely out the window, then I ended up with an IV so I could have a pitocin drip. ...and yes, I ended up massively swollen after I gave birth, even though I didn't have any swelling during pregnancy. It took a few days, but the swelling did go down pretty quickly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-you-get-an-iv-during-labor#post-139537 Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:00:21 +0000 runsyellowlites 139537@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's standard so that in case of emergency they already have a "line"...</p> <p>You can request a heplock so that they have they're access but you aren't bound to the bed....</p> <p>You can also ask about staying hydrated yourself, or just sneak it. Eating &amp; drinking in labor are so important for natural progression &amp; so that you have the energy needed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-you-get-an-iv-during-labor#post-139525 Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:37:36 +0000 Mrsbells 139525@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Because they dont want you to eat or drink during labor and after several hours of not eating or drinking you get dehydrated. If u really dont want the fluids they still put a heplock in your arm just in case you need fluids later in an emergency. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-you-get-an-iv-during-labor#post-139512 Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:33:02 +0000 mrs. wagon 139512@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm pretty sure if you don't need fluids you can request to have the IV unattached so you can walk around. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-you-get-an-iv-during-labor#post-139510 Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:32:50 +0000 Minnie_Girl 139510@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My understanding is that most hospitals do it because it's the standard procedure and could be convenient later in the birth, not necessarily because there is any medical reason. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-you-get-an-iv-during-labor#post-139462 Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:08:33 +0000 Mrs. Bee 139462@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>they had to give me antibiotics for group b strep because i went into labor the day before i was supposed to take the test. i would have gotten an iv anyway because i wanted an epidural!</p> <p>but an iv administers fluids and easy administering of meds if needed in an emergency. i think most women also come in knowing they are going to get an epidural. if you're going to get one, i think it's standard procedure to get an iv. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-you-get-an-iv-during-labor#post-139443 Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:00:55 +0000 regberadaisy 139443@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I will have an IV because I tested positive for Group B Strep.</p> <p>I believe if there's no medical reason you can deny the IV? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-you-get-an-iv-during-labor#post-139436 Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:57:56 +0000 prettylizy 139436@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't have an I'VE until they needed to give me antibiotics (my water had broken over 36 hours at that point). They may want to put in a heplock, but you can request to keep hydrated by drinking clear fluids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-you-get-an-iv-during-labor#post-139424 Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:53:02 +0000 heffalump 139424@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know they at least want the thing stuck in you in case of emergency so they don't have to worry about sticking you and finding a vein, but I don't know if they actually require things to be attached to it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-you-get-an-iv-during-labor#post-139420 Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:51:48 +0000 chopsuey 139420@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsdaredevil: found this!<br /> <a href="http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/labor-and-delivery/procedures-and-interventions/routine-iv.aspx" rel="nofollow">http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/labor-and-delivery/procedures-and-interventions/routine-iv.aspx</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-you-get-an-iv-during-labor#post-139417 Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:50:41 +0000 chopsuey 139417@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>To keep you hydrated? I have no idea! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/why-do-you-get-an-iv-during-labor#post-139413 Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:49:48 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 139413@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was wondering if getting an IV is standard during labor. If you don't want an epidural, aren't on Pitocin, and don't need any antibiotics during labor, do you still get an IV?<br /> I keep reading stories about people being swollen from being on a constant IV drip of fluids--what is this for?<br /> Who got an IV/didn't get an IV?</p> <p>I want to be able to move around as much as possible during labor, so I don't want to be on an IV!! </p>