Labor Lens presents information neutrally. Choices belong to you and your care team.
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What is it
A small IV catheter is placed in your hand or arm and capped off — ready for medication or fluids if needed, but without the pole and tubing. You can drink to thirst and move freely.
How your body works here
Being tethered to an IV pole discourages movement and position change (which shorten labor and help babies rotate). Continuous IV fluids also give the baby extra weight at birth, which then registers as bigger 'weight loss' in the first days — sometimes triggering unneeded supplementation. A saline lock keeps the medical access without those trade-offs.
Benefits (B)
- Preserves freedom of movement in labor.Review sources ↓
- Avoids fluid overload for parent and baby.Review sources ↓
- Access is immediately available if fluids, antibiotics, or an epidural become needed.Review sources ↓
Risks (R)
- Not appropriate if you're actively receiving pitocin, magnesium, GBS antibiotics, or an epidural, all of which need continuous access.Review sources ↓
- Some units default to continuous fluids by protocol; a written preference and a conversation with the nurse help.Review sources ↓
Alternatives (A)
- Continuous IV fluids (standard in many hospitals).Review sources ↓
- No IV access at all (some birth centers and home births with low-risk labor).Review sources ↓
Evidence summary
ACOG Committee Opinion 766 lists routine continuous IV fluids as an intervention that can be safely limited in uncomplicated labor. Restricting IV fluids does not worsen maternal or neonatal outcomes in the studies that have looked at it.
Sources
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Questions to ask your provider
- Can I have a saline lock instead of continuous fluids?
- Under what circumstances would you want to switch to running fluids?
- Can I drink and eat lightly as I feel like it?
Intuition & Nothing/Wait (the I and N in BRAIN)
What is your gut telling you? What happens if you do nothing or wait?
Add to my birth plan
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This is a personal preference, not a decision. Final choices happen in conversation with your care team.
After you talk it through
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