IV & Cannula Information
Getting medicine or fluids into your body Sometimes you need medicine or fluids put directly into your veins. This is called intravenous or IV therapy. A midwife will put a small, flexible tube called a cannula into a vein in your arm. This lets them give you the medicine or fluids you need. The cannula can stay in your arm for up to 5 days. There are other types of tubes they can use that will stay in longer, like a PICC line that goes close to your heart. Keeping it safe Putting in IV lines and giving IV medicine is very carefully done. Pharmacists double check it is the right medicine and dose. Midwives administer IV fluids and medications from the prescription and perform safety checks before administering. Midwives will check the site often to avoid infection. Let them know if it is sore, red, or leaking. IV pumps make sure you get the right amount of medicine or fluids. Moving around You can still move your arm around with a cannula in it. But sometimes they may ask you to keep it still for short times. If you would like to move around, you should not disconnect your IV. You can walk around with the IV pole wheeled beside you. It is important to stay mobile if you are able. Taking the IV line out Only a trained professional can take out your IV line when you no longer need it. Please do not attempt to remove your cannula or IV line yourself. Have a concern? Always tell the a member of the Maternity Team if you have any worries about your IV therapy. They want you to feel as comfortable as possible.
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