There are many procedures that a laboring woman’s physician or hospital may offer or even insist upon, varying from seemingly benign monitoring procedures to analgesia and anesthesia to birthing position. Here we will take a look at some of the more routine procedures and their risks, benefits and reasons for being performed. My purpose here is not to say that any of these procedures do not have their place in certain birthing situations, only to point out what possible risks and side-affects their routine use can lead to.
What it is: A flexible catheter placed in a vein to drip in fluids and medication.
When they are used: It varies. Some hospitals and physicians require them routinely upon admittance to the hospital. Others do not use them until they are medically indicated to treat a specific condition.
Why they may be used as a matter of routine: The logic here is that it is better to have a vein open ‘just in case’ there is an emergency, however this logic is flawed because the administering of an I.V. by a trained professional takes only seconds. Also, there is another option viable for keeping a vein open, a heparin lock (a catheter is placed in the vein then a drop of heparin is added to prevent blood clotting and the catheter is locked off).
Drawbacks to having a routine I.V.: Well, first off, the laboring woman is tethered to either the bed or a rolling I.V. stand. This limits her movement and her comfort. I.V.’s are a medical procedure and just their presence can make a laboring woman apprehensive or anxious (which can slow labor). I.V.’s are also where any medication the laboring mother will receive are administered. These medications are not always asked for by the mother and are not always thoroughly discussed with her & her partner. If the laboring woman and her partner have decided they want to avoid drugs during childbirth, the best way to do this is to avoid a having an I.V. already in place.
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