Foley Catheter/Transvaginal Ultrasound

LTH11307

Hi ladies - I'm 28, and about 6w3d pregnant. I've been lurking but have yet to introduce myself. I had a bit of a scare last night - light spotting of red blood, with a medium sized clot. I called the doctor this morning and they recommended that I go to the ER to get checked. The hospital tested my urine and blood, and also did a transvaginal ultrasound. I was thrilled to see my tiny baby on the ultrasound, with it's fluttering heartbeat. As of now, things seem to be OK. I'm very grateful, and very relieved.

My question is: The hospital used a Foley catheter to perform the transvaginal ultrasound. Now when I use the bathroom at home, it really burns/stings! Has anyone experienced this, or is this normal?

RadicalDreamer143

Congrats and welcome!

Eesh!  No, my doctor did not come anywhere near me during my 6w5d u/s with a catheter - I don't understand why they had to use one at all!  However, since you had one, the stinging doesn't surprise me.

greenclown

I've had a Foley catheter twice, and both times, I felt like I had a UTI for a couple of days afterwards.  Sorry, that sucks.

I've never heard of them being used with transvag ultrasounds, though.  Interesting. 

rhannan

It is competely normal to have a little burning/stinging after having a cathether.  The urethra is just a bit irritated.  I've had them before and that feeling goes away within 24 hrs or so. If, however, this continues beyond a couple days or you develop a fever, call your dr to make sure it's not an infection.  I'm sure its fine tho.

I am an US tech and have been for several years. Many hospitals when you go to the ER will cath you for a TV ultrasound.  They do this mainly as 1) if there were to be something dangerous, like a ruptured ectopic, where they needed to do surgery or something fast, you have to not eaten/drank for the anaesthesia.  It could delay these treatments by hours if they were to fill your bladder by allowing you to drink water (if they want to look transabdominally first before the TV us).  Also, 2) they will cath as if you were at risk of falls--dizzy, low BP, etc--they do not want to risk you falling or passing out by getting you up to go walk to the bathroom to keep you safe. While most mommies cringe at the thought of a catheter, it's for the best in emergency situations!

I am so glad that you got good news and a heartbeat on your US!!

GreekyPie

I had an internal U/S at 9 weeks.... I have NO idea why they used a catheter on you!! It certainly wasn't necessary with me.

doyous&idos

I have had (what feels like) a billion TV ultrasounds and have never had a catheter.

I did have one for my D&C and it did burn to pee for 24-48 hours after it was removed. Sorry, but it heals quickly! Feel better!

RedHeadedLeo85

Im wondering if they were using the cath to find out if you had a UTI and not for the ultrasound. Since you are/were passing blood, it could have been in your urine and they wanted a clean specimen to test for a UTI. I have had to have this when I had kidney stones. It sucked!  GL!