Really random question but........

[brandon_jess2015]

I'm wondering why they put the I.V in the back of your hand when you go in to labor?? When i had my daughter my I.V was falling out from scooping her head when i would pick her up. Just curious if anyone knows why? And if we can ask for them to put it somewhere else???

[babytwice]

Im a nurse too and we usually start distal to proximal when starting IVs. Hands then going upwards to the forearm. Ive been a patient many times and i request to be inserted at the outer forearm.it stays longer unlike on the back of my hand which only lasts a day. I have very small fragile veins and my IVs usually is "out" in less than 24 hours

[Mrs_English2]

Never thought about it. Good info folks. Never had a problem with iv ever.

[RippedonScotch]

it took 4 nurses to get my needle in.. and the one that got it finally had to have me put my hand hanging off the bed side while he was layin on the floor for my wrist.   no one can ever find my viens so i know it's hard but that was a little crazy!   The wrist was a horrible spot , i'm hoping for this pregnancy they can get it in the top of my hand like normal and a can move my hand without it being taped and wrapped like crazy so it didn't move.  

[curly_carly_RN]

When I was in nursing school and on the L&D unit I started to ask a patient where she wanted her IV. The nurse stopped me and said "it's nice to ask but you get it in where you can". I guess they just go for the most obvious vein. You do have the right to ask for it to be somewhere else. We can always attempt other places that aren't so obvious!

[kate042015]

My first they put it in my wrist..it was horrid. I couldn't even bend my wrist.

[Claytonsmomkmr]

Working on an induction now.. my iv is just above my wrist

[Momtothesecondpower]

It is to keep you hydrated and I am going to refuse mine after I get treat for the group b I want to be able to walk around

[GeekMom1213]

I didn't have an IV during labor - I refused it and they tried to insist, so I refused again and they said okay. If they'd had to place one later I understand it would've been a little tougher but I was having a med-free birth and had no need of access. Being able to self-advocate as a well-informed patient made my birthing center experience much less invasive.

[pourmycoffee]

They put the IV in to keep you hydrated and full of electrolytes. Sone times women may not want to eat or drink before
Or after so its a way to prevent dehydration.

Also, if something goes wrong and they need to get you medicine its the fastest way

[survivalmode]

Yes start in the hand and move up arm if veins in hand dont work because once they are used you have to move up. Easier to tape and stabilze a hand and cover for a shower too. At the hospital we say that the er should get the easier ac vein in elbow for emergencies. Med surg floor i can take my time and warm a hand easily where its easy to see them popping up usually

[ajaynes84]

I'm a nurse too and although that is true we usually draw all the labs needed for having a baby on the same stick as the iv and therefore I religiously AVOID the hands. They hurt more and seem to want to wriggle out. I love the middle of the arm and have gotten quite good at getting it on the first attempt. Patients are always skeptical that the have a vein there but a lot of times on 5hose you have to go by feel bc you can't always see them. Ask for it in a different spot. I would! !

[aburgess06]

I'm a nurse! It's because we always start low in the arm, the hand being the lowest part because if u miss or if the I.v. goes interstitial (out of the vein) you can only move up, not down. So if you started higher up you couldn't start a new I.v. lower. Also we want to stay away from where phlebotomy needs to draw blood from! And the veins in the hand are normally the easiest,  but I will sometimes go for the side of the wrist there is sometimes a good one there too!

[Julianne88]

Also easier to put it there for the IV machines. They go off every time you move on other places of your body

[trishay82]

Its your body and if you dont want it in your hand tell them where else to put it. I always hated them in my hands and prefered fourarm and only in my right arm because every time they tried to stick my left they just hit a tinden (sp?) And my arm got all crazy tight. But now, the veins in my arms cant be found at all. I suspect its due to having phenergan in ivs too much and also my hands. I have to be stuck in my wrists. Hurts like hell too. :/

[pypersmommy]

I have a degree in phlebotomy (person who takes blood from you in a lab) and the reason why they do it in the back of the hand is because the veins are bigger and easier to get to and there is a less chance of hitting an artery which is bad. And it's easier for the nurses to get to the iv if something was to go wrong.

[pauline77]

This will be my fourth baby only had it in my hand with my first with my other two it was on the side of my wrist personally that hurt way more im hoping for my hand or arm this time

[Lilmummyems]

It goes in in case there's an emergency or you need medicine

[jenniannthompson]

I have had them in my hand and in my forearm.  I think it depends on nurse/doctor/hospital on a preferred method.  I don't believe it actually matters.  I prefer the forearm.

[britt2241]

Yeah I found out the hard way! And every time i tell a doc they think that they are special and they can do it, next thing i know they are snapping their fingers in my face trying to wake me up! Lol

[Novembermommy1104]

I just asked my best friend today if there was a reason she had hers in her hand....she said it was protocol :/  *****!!

[brandon_jess2015]

Omg! Thats horrible. i didnt notice it until after i had my baby and it kept falling out, it hurt. I just wanted it out, Worst place ever for an I.V!

[britt2241]

Would like to know this too! Every time they put a needle in my hand i pass out! Never fails!