picc line?!

Question

Has anyone had to have a picc line during pregnancy?! I'm close to having it done and I'm wondering about how it all works... I won't talk to my doc again til Friday so I'm curious about it All. Hospital stay? How it goes in? Will it be sore? Anything you can tell me helps!

Edited to Add: I am 13 weeks along and cannot stop vomiting to the point I've lost nearly 30 lbs. no medicines are helping so my doctor is going to have me on one to give nutrients to the baby and hydration to me.

Answer

I had to get one done for the same reason. They do numb the area. It doesn't hurt it just feels uncomfortable as they put it into your vein, but not painful. I'm a very petite woman and I'm 20. The lady who attempted my pic line has been doing them for years and many patients and I'm the only patient she was unable to perform on because my veins are so small genetically, they couldn't get it to work after 3 attempts. But nothing to be afraid of/ I was so so scared I cried for days before getting it because I was terrified but I can honestly say it's not that bad.

Answer

A PICC  line is inserted just above the elbow on the upper arm. It's a long catheter that is inserted straight into the heart. The IVS in the groin and neck are central lines. I have seen several PICC lines being inserted. They used to put them in in the OR but they just have to have a sterile environment. I saw several be done in a normal patient room with sterile drapes. I don't remember if they numbed the area first or not. They will use an ultrasound like machine to look at your veins to decide which vein to insert it into. Then they will thread the catheter in until the end is just inside the right atrium of your heart. They will then check for placement and remove the needle. They last for several weeks if taken care of properly (flushed, heperanized, dressing change). They are usually inserted for people who need long term iv therapy or for nutritional purposes.

Answer

What're you getting picc line for??? I mean depending on where they put it in it'll hurt. I see them done in emergency situations so there's not time to administer a local anesthetic, but if you're getting one done for a certain reason ask them if they can numb the area first. Most picc lines I've seen are through the neck and the inner thigh. Two largest veins to pump through.

picc line?!

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