Drips during pregnancy and labour

Written by Emilie Melchior, midwife


A drip is a generic term used for fluids (salt or sugar water) that are injected directly into a blood vein, which can be mixed with medicines, if necessary.

It is dosed as drops and can be supplied slowly or quickly according to specific need.

Drips are typically used during childbirth when it becomes necessary to start (induce) birth or to stimulate a labour that is considered too weak.

Stimulating labour
The labour provoking drug oxytocin (Syntocinon) is added to the drip, which would consist of 1L of salt or glucose water.

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 usually runs until about one hour after the placenta has been delivered. Bleeding is no 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
• pre-eclampsia.

Dehydration

Dehydration is typically seen in connection with vomiting at the beginning of pregnancy. A drip is used to regulate the fluid balance.

To need a drip, you would have to 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.

Risk of premature birth
There is a risk of premature birth if you go into labour or your waters break before the 37th week of pregnancy.

A labour-repressing medication is added to the drip. This can be dosed in the exact amount that's required to stop the labour.

The drip typically runs for 24 hours; after this, treatment continues with pills.

Pre-eclampsia
In cases of pregnancy poisoning (pre-eclampsia or eclampsia), your blood pressure may rise, you may accumulate fluids in your body (oedema) and there may be protein in your urine.

Here, a drip with blood pressure reducing medication is used.

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