BTDT moms: How long do they keep the IV catheter in?

Honestly, that has been my biggest concern with delivery. I know its irrational, but when I was just in the hospital getting my appendix out, I couldn't stand the IV, and they kept the catheter in the whole time I was in the hospital. I couldn't put my hair back, I couldn't bend my arm straight, and I feel like if they keep it in me the entire time I'm in the hospital, I won't be able to hold the baby. This is a legitimate concern for me.

Does anyone know if they can remove the catheter after delivery?

Re: BTDT moms: How long do they keep the IV catheter in?

Not positive but I think my catheter came out on day 2. The iv was so annoying and I think I had that taken out on discharge day and I believe they told me they keep it in case they need to give u something .
I had a c-section and was there 5 days.

Re: BTDT moms: How long do they keep the IV catheter in?

its in your back not your arm, so you dont notice it as much.

Re: BTDT moms: How long do they keep the IV catheter in?

The catheter came out when I was ready to push and was only in when I had the epi. The IV stayed in till about 3am. I had her at 5:11pm and they gave me 1 more bag of pitocin after I delivered her.When the bag was empty they took the IV out of my arm.
I feel your pain about the IV because they had a really hard time finding my veins and they had to put it in where your elbow bends. It bothered me the whole night of the induction so i didnt really sleep. I didnt notice it when I was in labor though.

Re: BTDT moms: How long do they keep the IV catheter in?

mine came out after i was able to pee 2x when i got to my room after delivery.

it was higher on my forearm so i had no problems holding the baby, etc

Message edited 2/8/2011 10:19:29 PM.

Re: BTDT moms: How long do they keep the IV catheter in?

My catheter didn't come out until late on the second day but I was on magnesium and they didn't want me up an around.

I had 2 ivs at both elbow for 4 days and then 1 for the last day. I think the second iv was because of the magnesium. I was able to bend my arms though so it wasn't bad.

I was nervous about the catheter too but honestly once I was there I didn't care at all!

Re: BTDT moms: How long do they keep the IV catheter in?

Catheter came out before I started pushing. IV came out the day after I had DS.

Re: BTDT moms: How long do they keep the IV catheter in?

My IV was out a few hours after I delivered. Before I left L&D for the maternity floor.

Re: BTDT moms: How long do they keep the IV catheter in?

I had a c-section.

Catheter came out about 30 hours after delivery.

IV remained in due to some blood pressure issues, they were giving me magnesium, and I think it came out once I was able to get out of bed to go to the bathroom...but I don't really remember.

Re: BTDT moms: How long do they keep the IV catheter in?

I had an emergency C-section, so I don't know if this is true for everyone.

Mine went in when I go the epi (around 5am Tuesday. DD was born at 7am). It didn't come out until 10ish am Weds. I forgot it was there. The c-section was a bigger impediment than the catheter. The IV was a PITA also - esp when DD tried to lay on the IV lock. OUCH.

Re: BTDT moms: How long do they keep the IV catheter in?

The IV and catheter are two different things, aren't they?

During delivery, the IV went into the back of my hand (that's what they did at SB where I delivered) and it came out right after delivery. The catheter went in after I got my epi and came out right before I started pushing.

Re: BTDT moms: How long do they keep the IV catheter in?

Depends on how you deliver. I had a crash c so had it in me for 2 days. Honestly, I was fine with it. I pee a lot and it was nice not to get up every 5 mins. LOL!
The IV wasn't bad. Had it out day 2 as well.

Re: BTDT moms: How long do they keep the IV catheter in?

iv-once i peed after delivery

catheter-right before i was ready to push and deliver

Re: BTDT moms: How long do they keep the IV catheter in?

My IV stayed in the whole time and was removed before I was released. I required lots of fluids though and antibiotics after I delivered (positive strep b, manual placenta delivery and blood clot in my uterus). The IV itself didn't bother me but I had to wait to shower bc I was hooked up to all those bags. That was a little irritating.

Re: BTDT moms: How long do they keep the IV catheter in?

it's your body - tell them to take it out when you're ready to have it out .

I did - even though they thought I was crazy - I wanted the pain drip gone, the cath gone, everything attached to me I wanted GONE so I could get up and pee like a human and take a shower. -

I got into my room after my C section at about 4:30 AM - so I had to wait, but by 8 AM after my Dr. checked me out - everything was gone and I was in the shower ...........

Re: BTDT moms: How long do they keep the IV catheter in?

They had to do mine in arm as well (couldnt get the vein in my hand) and I hated it. After I delivered they put up the bag of pitocin and it was going so slow because I couldn't keep my arm straight. I told the nurse that it hurt and I was having a hard time trying to breastfeed DS so she said ok and took it out. I told her that if they needed to keep it in, I would let them try my hand again, but the one in arm had to come out. so I think it was out with 3 hours of giving birth.

Re: BTDT moms: How long do they keep the IV catheter in?

I had 2 c/s. Both catheter came out the next morning (10-15 hours after birth)


IV came out that day but later.

Re: BTDT moms: How long do they keep the IV catheter in?

I never had a catheter at all.

IV I had because I bled a lot so they gave me oxytocin and fluids. It was in my wrist, was tiny, and I think it was in a total of 6 hours, from after I delivered until 7 am the next morning.

Re: BTDT moms: How long do they keep the IV catheter in?

Mine came out the morning after I delivered. I delivered at 11:37pm at Winthrop.

My DS was in the NICU and I needed it out so I could go visit him because they couldn't wheel him to me.

The IV I had for a few days, because I spiked a fever during labor so I was on IV Antibiotics. DS was as well so he had an IV for a few days (that's why he initially went to the NICU).

Message edited 2/9/2011 4:47:24 PM.