How soon do they give you an iv drip?

[flaxen]

Im just wondering how soon they put an iv line in your hand when you go into hospital?

The reason I'm asking is because Im severly needle phobic and have to have local anaesthetic ( lidocaine ) cream and funny plastic plasters put over the top for them to get a needle within 50yrds of me. I have to have this on for a minimum of an hour for it to have a half effect, I can still feel them stabbing me and they still have to pin me down to keep me still.

My problem is I dont really know when to put my cream on and there is no way that they will be able to get a line in with out it. It has been written in all my notes so that they should all be aware.

Im also concerned as to how they are supposed to do an epidural on someone who has to be pinned down?
This is really worrying me.

 

[misscrazycooki]

you don't feel the epidural hun you have to be sat up and then hunch over so they can get a space in your spine, sorry to say but thats how it was done with me, plus its in your back you can;t see it going in so you can't antisipate pain. Also I had a IV put in once I was induced with the drip saline. Are you being induced? or just normal labour x

 

[katietateypot]

i didn't have any needles so can't answer that, i would guess they would do it as needed though?

If you are really worried about needles maybe speak to our MW about different kinds of pain relief, i had this with a consultant last time as i wasn't allowed an epidural due to back problems so was advised to have other types which are simple injections.

Sorry im not much help but didn't want to read and run xx

 

[Iriki]

Are you having a c- section???? Sorry, have probably missed the post somewhere but do do you HAVE to have an epidural?? If you're as needle phobic as that maybe you're better off going for alternative pain relief or just gas and air??

 

[Dragonfly Fi]

I am also needle phobic, i just did it on gas n air

i would rather deal with labour than with needles.

I did find though that they could do an IV with me when i had my stillborn baby (and therefore wanted all the smack) with just the gas n air and a local anaesthetic

 

[Sam's Mum]

Why do you need an IV drip? There are a few different reasons for them but the time at which they're put in are different x

 

[jojo_2012]

You'll have time unless there's some massive emergency. I see no reason why you couldn't put the cream on your back if it psychologically helps you cope with the idea for an epidural. Just ask them when you arrive and get started applying everywhere, hands and inside of elbows just in case.

No denying a cannula in the hand/arm is sore. But looking back on my epidural I found trying to bend over with a big tummy and keep still the worst part of an epidural.

 

[Pudds86]

They dont always put them in? Is there a reason you think you need one? I had one, but I was induced...

 

[don-don]

Yes it def all varies depending on each situation, ie premature births, c- sections, epidurals etc. I personally had a cannula put into my wrist, I'm assuming this was because my LO was pre term. I had a natural birth and didn't have an epidural xxxx

 

[flaxen]

I have an appointment with the consultant on wednesday to discuss early induction ( am now 37 wks ) as my body cant cope any more and ive been in hospital twice in a week. Im basically stuck in bed, have lost lots of weight, am in a lot of pain from my chest and back and am now getting sores on my hips where my femoral head joins my pelvis, despite lying on a matress, matress cover and 3x duvets all under the sheet. I just dont have enough fat left on my body to protect my bones.

I know I will need an epidural for the pain and have been told that I will need a cannula or more but they have written in my notes that emla cream needs applying as soon as I get to hospital to give it chance to work ( it takes minimum of an hour on me ) and that once it has worked then the cannula/ epidural tubes are to be put in so they are all ready to go and set up. I have my own supply to take with me and have a box for each hand, arm and 2 for back. Id rather have too much than not enough.
Thanks for your replies.

 

[Pudds86]

Oh I see. Well i was induced, I didnt have gel and i went in 2cm dilated. I had IV as soon as I was put onto delivery ward. In all honesty, and I dont mean to scare you but it was very painful. They were going to numb it, but the midwives changed shift and in the end it was just put in. I remember complaining about it for ages until my contractions started. I know that numbing cream isnt always great. My little boy has had a few canulas. He had cream last time and when the nurse was doing it, she said the cream will only stop the pain of the needle going in but will still hurt once in. Sorry not a very positive post but wanted to give you my experience. xx

 

[cosmicgirl]

I think with cannulas it's about the placement. If someone does it well you can go for days without feeling it (unless you knock it) and some are just irritating from the start.
Emla does work well for cannulas IF it's left a good long while to take effect. Distraction techniques are good too, maybe try that as well?
Good luck hun xx

 

[misscrazycooki]

in all honestly I had one put in when I was induced I had it it for a week total. to them taking it out then putting another one in same day for no reason well pissed me off. it did hurt when knocked and it would as its in a damn vein. no worse that a bruised feeling really.

 

[babyem]

I'm needle phobic too.. how long is it until your due?

If you have a while yet, you could go to the drs and asked to be referred for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. I had this, and it has helped ease my phobia. I am now doing my nurse training thanks to the CBT! Hope it all goes ok xx

 

[flaxen]

Im having a c section next week instead now as consultant was concerned that Im now to weak and wobbly to have an induction ( been in hospital twice in 2 weeks ) and would end up having to have an emergency section, ive got a booking in appointment on wednesday and have to have steroids for 2 days as baby will still only be 38wks.
They are going to apply my emla cream when I get to hospital so that it will have 1.5hrs to work. If there is any emergencies then they will top my cream up so that it keeps working til I go to theatre or they will put my catheters in early and leave them in.

 

[misscrazycooki]

Im having a c section next week instead now as consultant was concerned that Im now to weak and wobbly to have an induction ( been in hospital twice in 2 weeks ) and would end up having to have an emergency section, ive got a booking in appointment on wednesday and have to have steroids for 2 days as baby will still only be 38wks.
They are going to apply my emla cream when I get to hospital so that it will have 1.5hrs to work. If there is any emergencies then they will top my cream up so that it keeps working til I go to theatre or they will put my catheters in early and leave them in.

I had my son at 38 weeks and 2 days and I never had steriods? is it because your baby is on the small side x

 

[flaxen]

Yes, she is measuring 3 to 4 weeks behind.