Unmedicated Birth

This may sound strange, but I really hate getting and having the IV in my arm so much when I am laboring, that in some ways it's almost worse than the labor.  I think part of it is psychological, but why does hospital staff insist that I have it?

My last delivery, I had to "convince" the nurse to take the IV out earlier than she was "supposed" to after the delivery.

Can they "make" me have it? The last thing I want to deal with while I am laboring is an arguement with the docs and staff as to why I do not want an IV.  Isn't it my body, my choice?

Thanks!

They can't *make* you do anything - just be prepared for an argument. It might help if you walk in with a signed document that states something like "I decline a routine IV/heplock during labor" for your file. When are you due? Can you ask your doc at the next appointment about it? Maybe there's something you can sign in advance to "waive" it.

You're right - it's your birth/body, so its your choice, no matter what the staff thinks.

 

Make a pregnancy ticker

I think that talking to your doctor about it in advance is absolutely the thing to do. Ask if they feel it's necessary for you to have, and why. If it's just a routine deal, then just say you'd like to decline it. If things are going normally, then there is no reason to have a routine IV. When you go in when you are in labor, tell the staff you've talked about it with your Dr. and he/she agreed that you did not have to have one. Then they can call the Dr. with questions, which is much better--you don't make enemies of the nurses, which they really shouldn't be.

If they feel you DO need an IV, ask why. It may be that there is a reason, and then you can consider that. For example, if you'd had hemorrhages with your previous babies, or are at high risk for a hemorrhage for some reason, that's a good reason to have a saline lock. If it's just routine, and not needed, then great, say no. If it's to be able to give you drugs to stop bleeding that you are likely to need, just be aware of what the course of action would be if you don't have the IV, and what they would be able to do for you. It's not fair to expect the Dr. to be able to fix a problem if you have chosen to take away the tools they have to do that, you know? So ask why they think you need it, and what would be the consequences of not having it, and then decide what you want to do.

Annie

Hi there-

ITA with the PPs. In most cases, it's not necessary. How far alon in your pg are you? Can you find a hospital or birth center that won't push for teh IV unless it's necessary (in the cases like Annie gave)?

GL!