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In this episode, I explore the latest evidence on the use of saline locks!

A saline lock - sometimes called a \\u201chep-lock\\u201d in reference to how it used to be used - is an intravenous (IV) catheter that is threaded into a peripheral vein, flushed with saline, and then capped off for later use. Nurses use saline locks to have easy access to the vein for potential injections. They can be useful in administering drugs as needed, and in the event of emergency surgery.

What is the latest research on the use of saline locks in labor and delivery? What is the evidence for the saline lock in someone who wants an un-medicated birth or wants to avoid medical interventions as much as possible? Should a saline lock be in place \\u201cjust in case\\u201d it may be needed? I\\u2019ll cover the evidence on this topic, along with the risks and benefits.

For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth\\xae, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Ready to get involved? Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) and our Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth\\xae Childbirth Class.

RESOURCES:

Bailey, J. M., C. Bell, R. Zielenski (2019). \\u201cTiming and outcomes of an indication-only use of intravenous cannulation during spontaneous labor.\\u201d J Midwifery Womens Health 00:1-7.\\xa0

Bateman, B. T., M. F. Berman, et al. (2010). \\u201cThe epidemiology of postpartum hemorrhage in a large, nationwide sample of deliveries.\\u201d Anesthesia and analgesia 110(5): 1368-1373.

Maki, D. G., D. M. Kluger, et al. (2006). \\u201cThe risk of bloodstream infection in adults with different intravascular devices: a systematic review of 200 published prospective studies.\\u201d Mayo Clin Proc 81(9): 1159-1171.

Newton, N., M. Newton, et al. (1988). \\u201cPsychologic, physical, nutritional, and technologic aspects of intravenous infusion during labor.\\u201d Birth 15(2): 67-72.

Rickard, C. M., D. McCann, et al. (2010). \\u201cRoutine resite of peripheral intravenous devices every 3 days did not reduce complications compared with clinically indicated resite: a randomised controlled trial.\\u201d BMC Med 8: 53.

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