Usenet Writings

IV Placement

©1992 Beth Weiss, Posted to misc.kids Usenet newsgroup, July 27, 1992

I wrote this during a discussion of IVs.  It happened to come up between the failed induction and the actual delivery.

My (unsuccessful) induction was the first time I'd been a hospital patient, and I'd never had an IV before.  My OB and I had talked about an IV for a natural birth, and he said that if a heprin (sp?) lock were put in, then I would be ready for an IV if needed, but I wouldn't have to have one "just as routine".

For induction, however, it's a different story, and the IV was part of the deal.  On Wednesday night, the nurse put the IV in my right hand.  It was horrible.  I had restricted hand movement.  Every time I bent my hand, I pulled on the tape.  I couldn't even use my hand properly after using the bathroom.   Showering was difficult (they put a glove over my hand) When it became clear that the induction was going to be discontinued and stopped the next day, I had the [different] nurse remove the IV and put in my left arm.  What a difference!

I hadn't realized that there were options on placement, so I thought I'd share this experience with others who might not have IV experience.  If the nurse tries to insert the IV in your hand, ask for it to be moved to the arm.  Make sure it's in your non-dominant arm, too--it'll be less in the way there.  If the nurse isn't cooperative, you might want to ask to speak to a supervisor--it's that uncomfortable to have it in the hand, and therefore, that important to be sure it isn't placed there. 

Another IV anecdote: the fluid IV tubing was lots longer than the pitocin tubing, and so when the pit was started, I couldn't move around as well as I could with just the fluid IV.  I asked if an extension could be added to the pit tubing, and the nurse looked at me as if I came from Mars and said she didn't think it was possible.  I insisted.  She figured out a way to do it.  (I had to repeat the request the next day when the new pit was started)

In general, I found that with half the nurses, all my requests had to be made multiple times.  (The other half were wonderful from the word go)  Be sure to ask for what you want/need--or you won't get it.  If they say "I don't think so", but you know it should be allowed, speak up (or get your coach to do it).  That's how I managed to get broth for breakfast at 4:30 am, and a liquid lunch.  It's how we managed to get hot water for our hot water bottle (we brought our own).  And, as I said, it's how we managed to get an extension for the IV tubing.

Also, I had to sign a contract with the hospital.  I was a university hospital, and the standard contract gives permission for medical and nursing students and other visitors to observe everything.  It gives the hospital permission to photograph and videotape everything for their own use.  You don't have to sign that if you don't want to--just cross out the parts you don't agree to.  (They might be annoyed if you cross out the part agreeing to pay :-)

 Tell your coach to kick out anyone you don't want there.  You're having a baby, not performing in a sideshow.

Hopefully, I'll be having a baby soon.  I had mild contractions all night, (very mild), but there's no other signs of labor.  We're scheduled to try induction again Tuesday morning.

(I'm 39 weeks, not overdue--just lots of medical nonsense type problems)