I am due any day now and I am petrified of the IV. Any suggestions to help me get through the process?

Answer 1

I never had a IV in my life until I had my baby so I was worried about it too but let me tell you it was a breeze. It didn't even hurt like I thought it would. Also, it is a easy step compared to what you will go through having your baby. Hope this helps.....

Answer 2

Tell the nurses you have an extreme fear and ask them to call anesthesia to place it for you. They can give you a local before placing the IV and you won't feel it. I am not scared of getting an IV but I have small veins that "blow" and an IV is extremely hard to place...it normally takes three or four tries. The nurses called anesthesia to come place the IV and he came, gave me a local, and placed the IV with no pain at all. If they won't do that, ask them to get the nurse that always starts the IV on people who are considered hard sticks, as these nurses often can place them quickly and painlessly. I just had a baby via c-section, had numerous hospital stays and lots of IV's...hope this helps!

Answer 3

If you have had any blood drawn during the course of this pregnancy (and I am sure you have), It is really no different from that as far as the prick of the needle is concerned.
After the fluid starts to move through your veins you will get a nice cool sensation. It is kind of relaxing.
I do recommend you informing them if you are left or right handed so they can place the IV on the opposite side. That will make it easier to use your dominant arm/hand

Answer 4

I am a hard stick and my veins roll I have learned after two children that if you tell them that you really have issues with needles (or problems with getting needles into the vein like I have) they can numb the area.
so I would talk to the nurse and ask if they can numb it since you really need an IV for saline and in case something serious happens in child birth, lets hope for the best but things still happen and its good to be prepared.
Congratulations and hoping all works out well.

Answer 5

IVs only hurt for a second when they are put in.
You can ask to be put on a Hep Lock (they put it in your arm without the IV and if you start to become dehydrated/need an IV, they'll be able to put it in right away as it hooks up to the IV).
Really, IVs don't hurt- a little uncomfortable, yes- but they don't hurt.

Answer 6

Refuse it. you don't have to have an IV. Are you sick? Why would you need one? Even if you are GBS positive you can have antibiotics orally. If you choose to let yourself become a patient, you can still refuse any "treatment" that the hospitla considers routine.

Hospitals are for sick people. You could avoid the whole debacle by having your baby at home.

Another important note. if you are afraid of the pain, please consider the pain if you let them treat your baby as a piece of meat. http://www.circumstitions.com/Itsaboy.html

Answer 7

Have someone there to distract you from it. It's actually not that bad. I kind of like it, really. :) It made my arm feel all cold when the fluid went in. Try to look at it as something that's going to help you- and squeeze the bajeezus out of whoever's hand you can!

Answer 8

Well, don't watch it that is for sure...but if you are in labor there are different pains you might end up being more concerned about. Try to find something to focus on to help take the edge off the needle...

Answer 9

dont worry i hate it too...i have never had an IV only when i had my daughter...whoaaa that hurts like hell! but we will get through it ...on friday is the BIG DAY for me and baby so im trying very hard not thinking about the iv good luck...

Answer 10

i really wish i had a answer for you because i am the SAME WAY to am extreamly scared and I DONT KNOW what i am going to do you could possibly talk to your doctor and see what he/she can provide other than an iv until or if you absolutly need one