Why iv fluids during labor

During labor, when an IV used, it is most often used to administer fluid, Pitocin, or pain relieving medications. However, an IV is not required for many people in labor. Despite the fact that a large number of hospitals and care providers doctors and midwives routinely order an IV for people in labor, it is only truly needed in certain cases. Use of an IV in labor and birth is an intervention in the normal process of birth. When needed, it can be beneficial and even life-saving.

When used unnecessarily, it can have negative impacts. Let's look first at the different reasons why an IV would be needed during birth.

Essentially, if you have an uncomplicated or normal labor and birth, and you are allowed to drink and eat as needed, you shouldn't need an IV "just in case. Ideally, your partner or doula or both! As for alternatives to pain medicine administered by IV, there are many non-medicinal pain relieving techniques available to you that are effective in labor.

The best way to learn and use these techniques is to take a quality childbirth education class with your birth partner. Hiring a doula is another excellent way to ensure you get adequate access to a variety of coping techniques while in labor.

When it comes to the use of Pitocin for induction, have the conversation with your care provider about alternatives to Pitocin to start an induction. If Pitocin is being suggested to speed up your labor, there are alternatives to consider for that, too. Who you choose to care for you in pregnancy, labor, and birth matters, as does the location where you plan to give birth. These choices will determine the likelihood of the use of routine interventions vs.

Aim: Thus, the aim of the current study was to assess the effect of three protocols of intravenous fluids on the progress of labor and newborn weight loss during the first week post partum.

Design: A descriptive Correlation research design was adopted. In this study in order to investigate the research hypothesis. Sample: A convenient sample of laboring women divided to 50 each group was selected. Partograph, fluid chart and baby weight and diaper sheet was used to collect the data. Setting: The study was conducted at the labor room in two Egyptian governmental hospitals. Results: The current research study revealed that the mean time during active phase calculated by hours of the group receiving I.

V fluids of cc 4. Also, the newborn weight loss was reported at third and seven day after delivery, and the results revealed a significant difference to their weight loss when the mothers received ml, compared to those who received or ml. Conclusion: A significant difference between time during active phase and amount of fluid received through labor, and marked newborn weight loss at 3rd and 7th day after delivery also existed.

Many women in several countries are not allowed to drink or eat NPO during labor. However, NPO practice is not evidence based.

Also, reducing hypotension in the mother following epidurals and intrathecal anaesthesia for caesarian sections is one of the major causes for providing intravenous fluids to keep women adequately hydrated during labour [13]. Routine administration of intravenous fluids to keep women adequately hydrated during labour may reduce the period of contraction and relaxation of the uterine muscle, and may ultimately reduce the duration of the labour.

It has also been suggested that intravenous fluids may reduce Caesarean Sections CS for prolonged labour [8]. Finally, in , Kavitha et al. The women in the IV fluid groups were also allowed to have oral fluids. There were no differences between groups regarding length of labor first stage, second stage, or total length , oxytocin augmentation, or any other complications. There were no differences in complication rates, and no cases of pulmonary edema However, again, other signs and symptoms of fluid volume overload were not measured.

Intravenous therapy instead of oral hydration is common practice in labor, historically, practitioner administered high dose of glucose solution to combat the development of ketones, more commonly now are isotonic or low dose glucose as high dose and rapid infusion of glucose solution are associated with increased incidence of maternal and fetal hyperglycemia and fetal acidemia. Also, dextrose only solution caused a fall in serum osmolarity and sodium concentration [1].

Regardless of solution type, intravenous therapy predispose women to immobilization, stress, increased risk of fluid overload and does not ensure a nutrient and fluid balance for the demand of labor [24]. A study was conducted by Dawood, Dowswell and Quenby to assess the impact of administering frequent IV fluids to nulliparous women on lowering the labor duration with a random selection of cases [8].

The most important findings of this study revealed a marked reduction in labor duration among women who delivered vaginally and through C. Moreover, this study showed that higher infusion of IV fluids is associated with reduced labor duration. Additionally, women who received dextrose solution showed reduction in labor duration.

Hence, it is clear that administering moderate amounts of IV fluids during the labor process is more beneficial for decreasing the course of labor. As yet, routine administration of intravenous fluids in labor has not been evaluated sufficiently [23]. Fluid overload is one clinical factor that not only affects the mother, but the newborn infant as well. A newborn may appear bloated when the mother receives excess intravenous fluid, the proposed contributor to newborn weight loss [26].

There are also concerns that excessive fluids administered to the mother, may affect the newborn as well. Therefore, large weight losses at this time may be a normal physiologic reaction to receiving a large fluid load during labor and may not be associated with hypohydration, inadequate breast milk production, or illness [20].

The normal small volume of breast milk produced in the first 2 days following birth may raise concerns about adequate breast-fed newborns. Weight loss following birth is presumably mostly water loss that could result in hypohydration and subsequent hypernatremic dehydration.

However, excess fluid loss immediately following birth is a normal and necessary process. Therefore, hydration of the mother is recommended as a low-cost method with no complications for the fetus and the mother. Noel- Weiss found an evidence related to maternal IV fluids during parturition and related to neonatal output and newborn weight loss; specifically, a correction in fluid balance not requiring intervention [19]. The effect seems time limited, and further weight loss after the first 72 hours is not likely connected to maternal fluids and should not be dismissed as a fluid correction.

Therefore observational studies that looking at the relationship between IV fluids during labor and fluid volume overload in babies are needed [9]. Historically, midwifery is one of the oldest professions in the world. It is worth mentioning that deliveries attended by midwives in the United States doubled in the period between and from 3. At the same time, the proportion of vaginal deliveries attended by midwives in was This increasing rate is similar in other countries to a slight extent.

Based on these data, the role of midwives is very crucial. Women seek the care of physicians, midwives and nurses to ensure the safest possible experience for themselves and their babies during labour and birth [12]. Caregivers have a responsibility to provide the highest quality care and efforts should be made continuously towards improvement. One focus for improvement in perinatal care is the lack of attention given to maintaining fluid balance when intravenous therapy IV is administered during labour [26].

In spite of evidence-based approach to stop or restrain oral fluid during intrapartum, routine IV fluid management can result in fluid overload, with consequent maternal and newborn outcomes. As well, there are no published protocols or guidelines available to address IV fluid management during labor to optimize care for women and their newborn.

Research is necessary in healthy newborns to identify relationships among fluids received in utero, newborn weight loss, and hydration, as evaluated with laboratory measures, in the first 2 days following birth.

This information will guide clinicians in correctly identifying newborns with inadequate hydration who are in need of supplementary fluids versus newborns with adequate hydration for whom exclusive breast-feeding can be supported and encouraged [18]. Thus the aim of this study was to describe the relationship between the intravenous fluids received during parturition and its impact on labor progress and newborn weight loss after 6 days from delivery.

A descriptive correlation research design was used in order to answer the research questions which are: 1-What is the relationship between intravenous fluid during parturition and labor progress in? Sample: One-hundred and fifty full term mothers who had anticipated for normal vaginal delivery were included in this study.

Women, who dehydrated, augmented or induction labors, rapid flow during IV administration were excluded from the study. Also mothers who had high risk babies with Apgar score less than 7 were excluded from the study as well as those with congenital abnormalities Setting: Data for this study were collected from two governmental hospitals Al Mounira hospital, Al Amel hospital. These hospitals provide prenatal, antenatal, labor and delivery and postnatal care.

Tools for Data Collection: A data collection tools were: Maternal assessment tool: to assess the progress of labor include cervical dilatation centimeters measured against duration of labor in hours, descent of presenting part, contractions duration and Frequency, alert and action lines [27]. IV fluids chart balance, maternal fluid chart this form is used to calculate the amount of fluid intake and output for mothers recruited in the study, determined the type of fluid, rate per hour and total amount received from admission through labor and delivery.

Apgar score tool: is used for rapid evaluation of the infant cardio-respiratory adaptation after birth. Apgar score consists of five objective signs heart rate, respiratory rate, muscle tone, reflex irritability and color [4].

These signs are given a score of 0, 1, or 2 evaluated at the first and fifth minutes after delivery and receive a total scores ranging from 0 to Newborn follows up sheet and baby scales were used to follow the newborn weight changes during the study. Newborn follow up sheet: measure newborn weight starting from delivery until 7 days after. Tool Validity: Tool validity was submitted to five experts in the field of maternal and newborn health nursing and obstetric medicine to confirm its content validity.

Modification was carried out according to the panel judgment and pilot study finding on clarity of sentences and the appropriateness of contents.

After permission was sought from the directors of each selected hospital, and the consultant of each delivery department in the two selected hospitals, explained to the subjects the overall aim of the study before starting.

Permission of mothers who will give birth in the selected hospitals was obtained. After the approval being obtained, the investigator approached mothers in the selected hospitals to be invited to take part after explaining the purpose of the study.

Written consent was obtained from each laboring women who agree to be participating in this study. Procedures: Before conducting the study, written permission was obtained from each laboring women in each setting after explaining the aim of the study to be agreeing to participate in this study. After the consent form was signed form with assessment information on admission room.

Are they evidence based? Taking a childbirth class during pregnancy is a great way to learn effective communication strategies for communicating with your care provider and support staff during labor and birth, as well as learning ways to find comfort and keep labor progressing, including staying hydrated.

Lamaze Home Contact Us Login. Return to Giving Birth with Confidence. What's the big deal with inserting a routine IV and restricting fluids? Lamaze has long advised the following: Routine IV use restricts movement, decreases confidence, may over-hydrate mothers and may contribute to low blood sugar in newborns.

Restricting eating and drinking in labor depletes a woman's energy when she needs it most. Theme picker. Contact author Message sent. Name: Please enter your name.