5 Unique Ways IV Therapy Can Help Expecting Mothers

Last updated on : March 09 2023

What Is IV Treatment For Pregnant Women

An IV infusion provides an easy way for women to receive the vitamins and minerals they need during pregnancy. Moms-to-be can take advantage of a mobile IV service, where a medical professional comes to their home or office to help them feel revitalized and recharged. 

During the therapy treatment, women can relax and get some precious rest—just what they need during their pregnancy. 

IV treatment is a simple process that doesn’t require the pregnant mom to do much besides relaxing during the infusion. A medical professional gently inserts a needle into the inner arm, then connects it to a tube leading to the IV bag. 

The fluids from the bag drip down the tube and into the arm to start circulating through the bloodstream. The process typically takes 30 to 45 minutes, and during that time, moms-to-be can watch TV, read a book, listen to music—or take a well-deserved nap. 

After the session, the medical professional removes the needle and places a small bandage on the insertion point in the arm. Women can go about their normal activities post-treatment with no downtime. 

How Does IV Therapy Benefit Pregnant Women

Here are five ways that IV therapy can benefit women during their pregnancies:

1. It Helps Ease Morning Sickness.

It’s hard enough for the body to adjust to pregnancy without adding morning sickness to the mix. This nausea usually lasts through the first trimester, though it can go on longer for some women. (And it’s not always limited to morning hours—sickness can strike at any time of the day or night.)

Morning sickness can take the form of persistent nausea and may lead to vomiting. Not all women experience it; the symptoms may be mild for some moms-to-be and more intense for others. 

Some women may feel nauseous out of the blue, while others may feel their stomach-turning when they smell certain odors. There’s no specific trigger for morning sickness, although hormonal shifts may be a factor. 

An IV drip helps pregnant women combat morning sickness. The infusion can replace fluids and vitamins lost during vomiting and help energize moms who are tired from fighting off nausea. 

An IV may also be more effective for reducing nausea than oral medication because if a woman is queasy, she may vomit up the medicine before it starts to work.

2. It Offers Critical Support For Women With Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

This condition came into the spotlight when Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, revealed she suffered from it during her three pregnancies. 

Hyperemesis gravidarum is an extreme form of morning sickness. The vomiting and nausea are so severe that a woman can lose weight along with vital electrolytes. Some women may even require hospitalization to cope with the effects of hyperemesis gravidarum. 

IV therapy can offer welcome relief. In addition to helping with morning sickness, an infusion can also include an anti-nausea medication to help calm the queasy feeling. Medical professionals commonly use Zofran in the treatment because it’s safe for pregnant women.

Pregnant women need to address the symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum right away. The possible complications can be severe for both mother and baby, including malnutrition, neurological issues, renal failure, hypoglycemia, and gastrointestinal damage from vomiting, among other health issues. 

3. It Curbs Dehydration.

Dehydration can be dangerous during pregnancy. The body can’t function as it should if it doesn’t have enough fluid. 

That’s problematic for moms-to-be, as water is essential for a healthy placenta and amniotic sac. Chronic dehydration can increase risks for serious health problems, including birth and neural tube defects, low amniotic fluid, and early labor. 

Women should drink even more water than pre-pregnancy because their bodies rely on fluids during this time. It can be an even bigger issue for women with morning sickness who lose valuable fluids through vomiting. 

Water intake also becomes more crucial as the pregnancy progresses. A woman in her late-second or early-third trimester carries an extra weight that can overheat her. Feeling overheated is often a sign of dehydration.

IVs offer a valuable source of fluids that rehydrate women who are not taking in enough water or losing too much during pregnancy. IV infusions use saline solutions designed to provide those beneficial fluids, along with vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes. 

Women with severe vomiting or hyperemesis gravidarum need to keep a particular watch for the signs of dehydration. These include dry mouth, fatigue, headaches, constipation, excessive thirst, low urine output or urine that is dark in color, and feeling faint or dizzy. 

Women who lose a significant amount of weight from vomiting during the first trimester (about 5% to 10% of total body weight) and cannot gain it back will need rehydration to prevent risks to their baby’s health.

4. It Fights Fatigue.

A woman’s body works around the clock during pregnancy as new life takes shape in her womb. The tremendous amount of energy this requires may be in short supply if the expectant mom has trouble sleeping or can’t keep food down due to morning sickness. 

An IV drip with a supplement, such as a vitamin B12, provides a welcome burst of energy, so women can move on with their day feeling refreshed.

5. It Helps Sustain Mom And Baby During Pregnancy.

Fetal growth relies on a consistent supply of nourishing vitamins and minerals. An IV can help women who may have deficiencies in those areas. 

It’s also highly effective because the drip infuses the vitamins and minerals into the bloodstream for rapid absorption. 

A Recommended IV Therapy - Myers’ Cocktail for Pregnant Women

The Myers’ Cocktail is an excellent IV solution for pregnant moms. It features a blend of vitamins and minerals that boosts energy and rehydrates the body. It can help with morning sickness, dehydration, fatigue, and much more. 

The Myers’ Cocktail typically contains vitamins B12 and C, B Complex vitamins, magnesium, and the antioxidant glutathione. Some versions of the Myers’ Cocktail also have zinc. 

The B vitamins help restore energy and support blood cell and nerve health. Vitamin C, magnesium, and zinc enhance the immune system, while magnesium contributes to circulatory and cardiovascular health.

The combination of nourishing ingredients addresses the symptoms associated with dehydration, such as fatigue and nausea, making it a popular IV to help ease many medical issues, including morning sickness. 

What to Consider Before Turning to IV Therapy

It’s essential to consult with your physician before starting any course of IV therapy during pregnancy, though. 

Sometimes an IV is medically necessary. For instance, a woman with hyperemesis gravidarum who has severe, persistent vomiting may need to replace lost fluids. 

However, women looking for a vitamin or energy boost may want to consider the risks and side effects that are potentially involved in IV therapy during pregnancy.

IV treatment in general poses risks, including infection, too much of a particular vitamin or mineral that could lead to health issues, skin tissue damage, blood clots, inflammation in the veins, or an air embolism. 

While these risks aren’t common, you will want to make sure to receive IV therapy from a trained medical professional who will take your health history and check your vital signs before treatment and then monitor you throughout the process. 

Using a reliable, trusted, and experienced provider can help reduce these risks. 

Pregnant women will also want to make sure their IV fluids don’t contain benzyl alcohol. This preservative can be toxic to infants. 

Generally, women will want to talk with their doctors about their reasons for pursuing IV therapy. A physician can help women determine if the benefits outweigh any potential risks. 

How to Choose an IV Therapy Provider

If women are concerned about the severity of their morning sickness, nutritional intake, or energy levels, they may want to explore the potential relief IV therapy can bring them. 

A treatment that used to be a rarity outside of hospital emergency rooms or clinical settings has expanded to IV clinics, mobile providers, and even IV bars and lounges. Because of this widespread availability, it’s essential to check the track record of any potential IV provider and ensure they place a premium on safety and quality patient care. 

If you’re interested in IV therapy for your pregnancy and your physician has approved it, look for a reputable mobile IV company that delivers the service to you at your convenience. 

Search for an IV therapy company with medical professionals who have extensive experience administering infusions. They will understand the specific needs of pregnancy and know what questions to ask expectant moms to get a clear picture of their health history. The medical professionals will use this information to customize an IV that is ideal for mom and baby. 

You’re doing everything for two now—eating, exercising, sleeping—so why not infusing, too?

About the author

James Evans MD MBA CHCQM │ Dr. Evans is a dual board-certified internal medicine physician with 19 years of clinical and administrative experience. Dr. Evans founded and built a multi-disciplinary clinic and helped set up hospitalist programs at various rural hospitals. Dr. Evans has extensive hospitalist experience running an independent private hospitalist service for over seven years at Phoenix/St. Luke’s Medical Center. Dr. Evans also has significant leadership experience and served as the Chief Medical Officer for the Arizona Department of Economic Security. He provided oversight for the medical services of 44,000 Arizona residents with developmental disabilities. A graduate of Harvard College in physics and mechanical engineering, he earned his medical degree from the University of Michigan. He completed an internal medicine residency at Columbia University-affiliated hospitals in New York City. Dr. Evans also holds an MBA in Finance from Grand Canyon University. Dr. Evans is also Board Certified in Healthcare Quality Management by the American Board of Quality Assurance and Utilization Review Physicians. Dr. Evans is bilingual in Spanish and English. His outside hobbies include Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, golf, and international travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the questions most frequently asked by our readers.

1. What is IV therapy for expecting mothers?

IV or intravenous therapy is a medical treatment where fluids, vitamins, and minerals are delivered directly into the bloodstream through a vein.

2. Is IV therapy safe for pregnant women?

IV therapy is generally considered safe for pregnant women when administered by a trained healthcare professional. However, it is essential to consult with your healthcare provider before undergoing any medical treatment during pregnancy.

3. What are the benefits of IV therapy for pregnant women?

IV therapy can help alleviate symptoms commonly experienced by pregnant women, such as nausea, dehydration, and fatigue. It can also provide essential vitamins and minerals that may be lacking in a woman’s diet.

4. What fluids and nutrients are included in IV therapy for pregnant women?

The specific fluids and nutrients included in IV therapy for pregnant women may vary depending on their needs. Standard components may include electrolytes, vitamins B and C, and fluids to prevent dehydration.

5. How is IV therapy administered during pregnancy?

IV therapy is administered through a needle inserted into a vein, typically in the arm. The length and frequency of the treatment may vary depending on the woman’s needs.

6. Are there any potential risks associated with IV therapy during pregnancy?

While IV therapy is generally safe for pregnant women, there is always an infection or allergic reaction risk. It is essential to consult with a healthcare provider and receive IV therapy from a trained professional in a sterile environment.

7. How can I find a qualified healthcare provider to administer IV therapy during my pregnancy?

You can consult with your healthcare provider or obstetrician for a recommendation for a qualified provider. Ensuring that the provider is licensed and experienced in IV therapy is essential.

8. Does insurance cover IV therapy for pregnant women?

Insurance coverage for IV therapy during pregnancy may vary depending on the provider and the specific treatment. It is recommended to check with your insurance provider to determine coverage options.

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