Dear Chanita,

IV fluids definately lead to retained fluid (edema) in laboring women when
they are recieving it for epidurals or C/S.  The purpose of the IV's is not
for dehydration but to maintain her blood volume to prevent hypotention.
 There is no way for the body to accomadate the amount of fluid without some
third spacing.  But before it moves into the third space it starts in the
blood where now circulates in the placenta.  Also pitocin is an antidiuretic
which contributes to the third spacing and accurate I&O does not always tell
you how much is being retained especially if any to the fetus.

There is literature to back up all of the above, what is not out there yet is
the affect on the fetus.  At the ILCA conf. Dr. Ruth Lawerence did admit that
the IV fluids could contribute to some extra fluid wt on the fetus.

Someone else posted about fat loss of babies and this is not what is
happening (hopefully) but water loss.  Also at the ILCA conf.  there was
discussion of the 35-37 weeker who is more suceptable to greater wt loss
because of their larger surface area and not concentrating of the urine.

Studies in these areas would be great.  Meanwhile we need to encourage
frequent feedings from the beging of life and close monitoring.

Ann Perry RN IBCLC