What is a drip?
A drip is a generic term used for fluids, salt or sugar water, which is injected directly into a superficial blood vein, and which can be mixed with medicaments, which are medicines or remedies, if necessary. It is dosed as drops and can be supplied slowly or quickly according to the specific need. Drips are typically used during childbirth in cases where it becomes necessary to start the birth or in order to stimulate a labour that is considered too weak.

What does it consist of?
A drip consists of 1L of salt or glucose water, to which may be added drugs such as oxytocin, a labour provoking medicament. Pure salt or sugar water is used in order to regulate the fluid balance.

Labour-stimulating medication
It is normal to start with a very small dose, which is then gradually increased. The amount is regulated, depending on how easily the woman is affected by the dosage, and how well the baby can tolerate the artificial contractions in the uterus. If an oxytocin-drip is used, it always runs until approximately one hour after the placenta has come out, and the woman no longer bleeds any more than would be expected after an ordinary birth.

Under what other circumstances is it used?
A drip is also used in pregnancy if there are other complications, such as:

dehydration

risk of premature birth

pregnancy poisoning.

Dehydration

Dehydration is typically seen in connection with vomiting at the beginning of pregnancy. The woman has to be actually sick and vomit frequently, suffer from weight loss or be in a generally bad condition - not just suffer from nausea or morning sickness. This condition is called hyperemesis. Here the drip is used to regulate the fluid balance.

Risk of premature birth
There is a risk of premature birth if the woman goes into labour or the water starts running before the 37th week of pregnancy. A labour-repressing medication is added to the drip, and this can be dosed in the exact amount that is required to stop the labour. The drip typically runs for 24 hours, and after this the treatment continues with pills.

Pregnancy poisoning
In cases of pregnancy poisoning (pre-eclampsia or eclampsia), the blood pressure may rise, the pregnant woman may accumulate fluids in the body and there may be albumin in the urine. Here, a drip with blood pressure reducing medication is used whereas in some cases diuretic medicine may be useful.

BACK

How to give up smoking

The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use