cannula - why arm over hand

[Pandora]

lots of birthplans I read say something like 'if i need to go on a drip please put the cannula in my arm not my hand'

I'm getting conflicting information on this and I was wondering what the difference is?

For example I've been told in the arm is a lot more painful and you cant move your arm a lot while its in?

[Pretty Butterfly]

Ohhh, I would love to know!!!

They tried to put a canula in for my last two births, but they were so fast, they were putting them in while I was pushing!!!

They were trying to get it in my hand, and just had blood everywhere...

Is it standard to have one in??? I want them to leave me alone this time....

[Pandora]

its not standard, i didnt have one last time. But I want to know what I'm including if i put it in my birth plan.

[Beach Mama]

If it is in your arm instead of your hand it won't get knocked around so much if you are using your hand, and squeezing DH's hand etc. Either way they get a bit sore but I've had both and in the hand definitely gets sorer, especially if it's in for a few days and you are picking up and feeding bub etc. Each time you move your fingers for anything you can feel it in your hand.

[KimmyF]

I had to have one in each hand during my stay in hossy, one for sytocin drip and one for blood transfusion and antibiotics etc, they were painful and made holding DS a nightmare especially whilst trying to bf. In a previous surgery i had one it my arm and TBH i dont remember it hurting as much or getting in the way as much, but i wasnt holding a baby then so not sure if it would be easier or not.
Hopefully someone else can answer that for you but i remember that in my hand it was very painful and real pain in the a#rse. Good luck

[Pretty Butterfly]

Good point KF...

Nursing a bub would be painful and difficult if it was in your elbow....



Oops, I realised you said hand.....

[Trillian]

Yep, definately ask for it in your arm (usually about 2inches above the wrist) because every time you flex or move your hand it will pull on the cannula and it can make it really sore. Whereas if it is in your arm, then it is somewhat protected because there is less movement and they can pop a bandage over it to stop it getting caught on stuff. There is also less chance of having it pull out or the vein collapse this way too.

[Lenny]

I wish I could help - I think they both get owwies after a while. But I think the arm one gets in the way slightly less than the hand one.
It is a good idea to include it - I never thought I was going to need one but I ended up with one.

[Indadhanu]

I got one in the side of my wrist... so is that arm or hand? It hurt going in and was uncomfy and annoying but didn't hurt after they'd put it in.