Refusing a picc while pregnant

[Blue]

I'm 26 weeks pregnant and my lung functions have dropped 40% so we're looking at a 14 day IV cycle. My doctor mentioned getting a picc and I'm terrified. I haven't been hospitalized since I was 2 (I'm 29) but back then they used IV's and it worked just fine. I'm assuming the worst that can happen with an IV is needing to replace it every 5 days or so?

Has anyone opted for an IV over picc line? A picc just seems so excessive considering the term I'll need it.

My other question for you mommies is about doing a round of IV's while pregnant. Have you? What were you on? Were you at home/hospital?

 

[Blue]

I'm 26 weeks pregnant and my lung functions have dropped 40% so we're looking at a 14 day IV cycle. My doctor mentioned getting a picc and I'm terrified. I haven't been hospitalized since I was 2 (I'm 29) but back then they used IV's and it worked just fine. I'm assuming the worst that can happen with an IV is needing to replace it every 5 days or so?

Has anyone opted for an IV over picc line? A picc just seems so excessive considering the term I'll need it.

My other question for you mommies is about doing a round of IV's while pregnant. Have you? What were you on? Were you at home/hospital?

 

[Blue]

I'm 26 weeks pregnant and my lung functions have dropped 40% so we're looking at a 14 day IV cycle. My doctor mentioned getting a picc and I'm terrified. I haven't been hospitalized since I was 2 (I'm 29) but back then they used IV's and it worked just fine. I'm assuming the worst that can happen with an IV is needing to replace it every 5 days or so?
<br />
<br />Has anyone opted for an IV over picc line? A picc just seems so excessive considering the term I'll need it.
<br />
<br />My other question for you mommies is about doing a round of IV's while pregnant. Have you? What were you on? Were you at home/hospital?

 

[LouLou]

IVs don't last long because of the strength of our antibiotics which tend to blow out veins. I'd get the PICC. Get it placed in interventional radiology and it will likely be easy, breezy. More importantly have they decided which medications to put you on and do you consent?

I did not have to do IVs while pregnant. I also hadn't had them much before pregnancy. Since giving birth I have been on them countless times. In fact I am on them right now. I have a port now and don't even go to the hospital to get started. The whole thing is done at home.

I hope you caught the infection early enough that you are able to regain all 40% of your FEV1.

 

[LouLou]

IVs don't last long because of the strength of our antibiotics which tend to blow out veins. I'd get the PICC. Get it placed in interventional radiology and it will likely be easy, breezy. More importantly have they decided which medications to put you on and do you consent?

I did not have to do IVs while pregnant. I also hadn't had them much before pregnancy. Since giving birth I have been on them countless times. In fact I am on them right now. I have a port now and don't even go to the hospital to get started. The whole thing is done at home.

I hope you caught the infection early enough that you are able to regain all 40% of your FEV1.

 

[LouLou]

IVs don't last long because of the strength of our antibiotics which tend to blow out veins. I'd get the PICC. Get it placed in interventional radiology and it will likely be easy, breezy. More importantly have they decided which medications to put you on and do you consent?
<br />
<br />I did not have to do IVs while pregnant. I also hadn't had them much before pregnancy. Since giving birth I have been on them countless times. In fact I am on them right now. I have a port now and don't even go to the hospital to get started. The whole thing is done at home.
<br />
<br />I hope you caught the infection early enough that you are able to regain all 40% of your FEV1.

 

[rubyroselee]

Hi there,

I'm in the same boat as you...I haven't had IV antibiotics since I was a baby. However, I know the standard treatment for 2-week IV's is getting a PICC. And honestly, I'm not sure that the doctors would even go for you getting a regular IV nowadays knowing that it's not the best route to take. The IV site will have to be changed numerous times and the PICC will be fine for the whole 2 weeks. Plus, you could do the IV's at home with a PICC and you have to stay inpatient for an IV.

There are definitely some antibiotics that are safe during pregnancy, so talk to you doctors to figure out what's best for you and baby.

Good luck!

 

[rubyroselee]

Hi there,

I'm in the same boat as you...I haven't had IV antibiotics since I was a baby. However, I know the standard treatment for 2-week IV's is getting a PICC. And honestly, I'm not sure that the doctors would even go for you getting a regular IV nowadays knowing that it's not the best route to take. The IV site will have to be changed numerous times and the PICC will be fine for the whole 2 weeks. Plus, you could do the IV's at home with a PICC and you have to stay inpatient for an IV.

There are definitely some antibiotics that are safe during pregnancy, so talk to you doctors to figure out what's best for you and baby.

Good luck!

 

[rubyroselee]

Hi there,
<br />
<br />I'm in the same boat as you...I haven't had IV antibiotics since I was a baby. However, I know the standard treatment for 2-week IV's is getting a PICC. And honestly, I'm not sure that the doctors would even go for you getting a regular IV nowadays knowing that it's not the best route to take. The IV site will have to be changed numerous times and the PICC will be fine for the whole 2 weeks. Plus, you could do the IV's at home with a PICC and you have to stay inpatient for an IV.
<br />
<br />There are definitely some antibiotics that are safe during pregnancy, so talk to you doctors to figure out what's best for you and baby.
<br />
<br />Good luck!

 

[hbollotte]

i'd go for the picc. i didn't have one while i was pregnant, but i had one with a two month old and when she was one. picc's aren't bad at all! when i was younger i always got mid-lines, but i've had three or four piccs. everything was done outpatient and then at home for two weeks.

 

[hbollotte]

i'd go for the picc. i didn't have one while i was pregnant, but i had one with a two month old and when she was one. picc's aren't bad at all! when i was younger i always got mid-lines, but i've had three or four piccs. everything was done outpatient and then at home for two weeks.

 

[hbollotte]

i'd go for the picc. i didn't have one while i was pregnant, but i had one with a two month old and when she was one. picc's aren't bad at all! when i was younger i always got mid-lines, but i've had three or four piccs. everything was done outpatient and then at home for two weeks.

 

[mamaScarlett]

I would do the picc too. Its scary to you probably bc you haven't had one, but if they are put in the correct way (assuming you are at a up to date hospital with good picc docs), they are no worse than an iv insert. Now they have all kinds of techniques for picc insert-interventional radiology which uses different methods so they can get to the exact vein making an easy insert, and they can use ultrasound too to get to the right vein.
A peripheral (regular) iv has its risks too, just like a picc. Its not the easy way out.
On a side note, are you sure that your 40% drop is from illness? You should realize that at 26 wks of pregnancy, there is usually a very big drop in pfts that occurs naturally bc of the pressure from the baby on the diaphragm. (a typical non cf woman that does pfts pre pregnancy and again halfway through her pregnancy would have a huge drop if pfts) Although 40% would be alot for just being from the pregnancy. I figure its infection, but just wanted to mention it.

 

[mamaScarlett]

I would do the picc too. Its scary to you probably bc you haven't had one, but if they are put in the correct way (assuming you are at a up to date hospital with good picc docs), they are no worse than an iv insert. Now they have all kinds of techniques for picc insert-interventional radiology which uses different methods so they can get to the exact vein making an easy insert, and they can use ultrasound too to get to the right vein.
A peripheral (regular) iv has its risks too, just like a picc. Its not the easy way out.
On a side note, are you sure that your 40% drop is from illness? You should realize that at 26 wks of pregnancy, there is usually a very big drop in pfts that occurs naturally bc of the pressure from the baby on the diaphragm. (a typical non cf woman that does pfts pre pregnancy and again halfway through her pregnancy would have a huge drop if pfts) Although 40% would be alot for just being from the pregnancy. I figure its infection, but just wanted to mention it.

 

[mamaScarlett]

I would do the picc too. Its scary to you probably bc you haven't had one, but if they are put in the correct way (assuming you are at a up to date hospital with good picc docs), they are no worse than an iv insert. Now they have all kinds of techniques for picc insert-interventional radiology which uses different methods so they can get to the exact vein making an easy insert, and they can use ultrasound too to get to the right vein.
<br />A peripheral (regular) iv has its risks too, just like a picc. Its not the easy way out.
<br />On a side note, are you sure that your 40% drop is from illness? You should realize that at 26 wks of pregnancy, there is usually a very big drop in pfts that occurs naturally bc of the pressure from the baby on the diaphragm. (a typical non cf woman that does pfts pre pregnancy and again halfway through her pregnancy would have a huge drop if pfts) Although 40% would be alot for just being from the pregnancy. I figure its infection, but just wanted to mention it.

 

[Blue]

MamaScarlett - That is the big question, how much of my pft drop is pregnancy related? My ob works with the Cf team and they will be meeting this week to determine how aggressive they think they should be since at least a portion of the decrease is due to lack of space. I asked if we could wait until the baby was born to do IV's (assuming I'm stable for the remainder of the pregnancy) but they feel I will just be too exhausted to take care of a baby and myself with the IV's.

 

[Blue]

MamaScarlett - That is the big question, how much of my pft drop is pregnancy related? My ob works with the Cf team and they will be meeting this week to determine how aggressive they think they should be since at least a portion of the decrease is due to lack of space. I asked if we could wait until the baby was born to do IV's (assuming I'm stable for the remainder of the pregnancy) but they feel I will just be too exhausted to take care of a baby and myself with the IV's.

 

[Blue]

MamaScarlett - That is the big question, how much of my pft drop is pregnancy related? My ob works with the Cf team and they will be meeting this week to determine how aggressive they think they should be since at least a portion of the decrease is due to lack of space. I asked if we could wait until the baby was born to do IV's (assuming I'm stable for the remainder of the pregnancy) but they feel I will just be too exhausted to take care of a baby and myself with the IV's.

 

[mamaScarlett]

How are you feeling? Besides your pfts, are you coughing more, more mucusy..etc?
The thing is, and I would never say this lightly to anyone!-But at your stage of pregnancy, IVs are not going to hurt your baby. I totally understand the overwhelming concern you probably have. I get it 100%. Been there.
But the docs are right about waiting till after you deliver. Not only will it be too much for you to do both, but do you really want to remember the most incredible time of your life-with your newborn-as being so stressful bc you need to stop everything to do IVs? I mean, if you have to be in that situation, you have to, and you'll be fine. But if you can avoid it, try to.
The other thing I'm thinking is that a huge plus to trying to treat your lungs now would be it will increase your chances of being able to breastfeed and that is the best thing for the baby! (and for you too)
I would never tell someone what to do, but having been through this 2x already, this is what I would do-I'd treat as much as you can now. If it does little or nothing then you know that this is only from pregnancy, which would be great to know! And you'll have a little extra boost to help you through those first few months with a newborn.
If it helps your lungs then thank goodness you caught it and you can rest assured the rest of the pregnancy and enjoy your newborn.

 

[mamaScarlett]

How are you feeling? Besides your pfts, are you coughing more, more mucusy..etc?
The thing is, and I would never say this lightly to anyone!-But at your stage of pregnancy, IVs are not going to hurt your baby. I totally understand the overwhelming concern you probably have. I get it 100%. Been there.
But the docs are right about waiting till after you deliver. Not only will it be too much for you to do both, but do you really want to remember the most incredible time of your life-with your newborn-as being so stressful bc you need to stop everything to do IVs? I mean, if you have to be in that situation, you have to, and you'll be fine. But if you can avoid it, try to.
The other thing I'm thinking is that a huge plus to trying to treat your lungs now would be it will increase your chances of being able to breastfeed and that is the best thing for the baby! (and for you too)
I would never tell someone what to do, but having been through this 2x already, this is what I would do-I'd treat as much as you can now. If it does little or nothing then you know that this is only from pregnancy, which would be great to know! And you'll have a little extra boost to help you through those first few months with a newborn.
If it helps your lungs then thank goodness you caught it and you can rest assured the rest of the pregnancy and enjoy your newborn.