My daughter got her picc inserted today and everything went fine. Tonight it seems to be bleeding a little from the insertion sight. The pad that is covering it is not soaked in blood, but it has blood on it.
I'm just a mom freaking out because we've never had this before. Is this normal and when should I be concerned? Thanks.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
It's normal to have a little bit of bleeding. The nurse will probably need to change the dressing tomorrow.
It might help to have your daughter try to baby her arm for a couple days. I know when I had mine placed they always bled if I did too much at first.
Posted by rosebuds mom (Member # 17435) on :
When my daughter had some bleeding I learned that a little bleeding is ok but if it gets larger than a quarter in size then the dressing needs to be changed.
She still has a little bleeding from time to time but the nurse just cleans it up at her regular visits and everything has been fine.
Hope this helps.
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
A little bleeding within the first couple days is normal. The dressing should be changed soon (within ideally, within 24 hrs. of PICC placement, and then probably again in 2-3 days, and then you can go to once a week...depending on the dressing type).
Babying the arm for a few days is good. Being gentle after that for at least 3 weeks is also important. I've had arm pain occur if I am too vigorous with my arm within a few weeks of getting my PICC changed out for a new line. If pain does occur from over-activity, then a heating pad or hot pack on the arm for 20-30 minutes feels pretty good.
Posted by tls122269 (Member # 23200) on :