catheter fear

CAB'smommy

I've seen many people mention catheters during labor the last few days and being nervous about that.  Just thought I'd tell you that just because you have an epidural, doesn't necessarily mean you have to have a catheter.  I'm going to assume it's how long you are in labor.  I never had a catheter placed after either of my epidurals.  But I delivered in less than 2 hours after my first epidural and delivered 4 hours after my second.  I have been straight catheterized before where they just empty your bladder and take it out.  It really isn't that big of a deal.  I just don't want anyone to be scared of it.  Why worry about something that might not happen.  Hope this helps.

honey740

My sister gave birth in July and they threatened her with a catheter after birth if she didn't pee, but she did and she was fine.

momo21

Thanks for posting this.  I saw someone posting about that too, like it was a definite thing.  I didn't have a catheter when I gave birth.  Or if I did, that was the least of my worries that day, and I don't even remember it!

sparklesbrooks

I had a catheter when I had surgery on my cervix and it really wasn't that bad. With all the other pain and discomfort you are going through, it's the least of the worries.

dxiechicken41

What's the deal with catheters? My mom never had one, nor has she ever heard of them being used. Is it only for epidural patients? Can you not talk to the bathroom to pee or what?

jaejaevee

I guess you can't get up to go the bathroom if your legs are numb?  I never gave it much thought.  I had one with DS, but it wasn't that big of a deal.

houndbaby

When I had my epi and needed to pee they let me try to use the bed pan and when I couldn't they did a straight catheter. It was no big deal and because I had the epi I couldn't feel it when the did the straight catheter.

NJBrit

Thanks for posting this. I did mention that I'm terribly afraid of a catheter on the epidural post the other day. I had a catheter inserted when I saw a urologist a few years ago and it was one of the most painful things I've experienced. Perhaps it will be much easier when done with an epidural, but I am glad to know it's not something I'll definitely have to use. 

NW_Clarinetist

Thank you for posting this.  I'm a FTM and thought they automatically gave you a catheter when you got an epi.  Good news.

MrsYam

I was cathed 2 times, once during pushing and once after the baby was born because I still couldn't feel if I needed to pee yet.

It was just a little hose and a baggy, she just put it in, drained my pee and pulled it out. I never felt a thing. Thanks epi!

I did however have to pee on my own before I was allowed to get up and take a shower in my postpartum room. 

Emjay221

dxiechicken41:

What's the deal with catheters? My mom never had one, nor has she ever heard of them being used. Is it only for epidural patients? Can you not talk to the bathroom to pee or what?

An epidural numbs you from the waist down.   You cannot walk.  Not at all.  You have no feeling in the lower part of your body. 

You can't go to the bathroom on your own, nor can you feel when you need to go.  If you don't have one, yes, you can just wet the bed.  They really don't care.  They have something called Chux several layers deep on the bed and they are soak proof.  Those are the quilted looking squares you see in the hospital in beds. About 2 feet by 2 feet square. 

You don't have to have a catheter.  You can refuse it.  But, sometimes they prefer it... but ultimately they will not do it if you say no, because it is considered invasive, and you have a right to say no.  You can opt for a bed pan but you won't be able to feel the urge to go if you have an epidural.  

They do insist that you void on your own after the delivery and the epidural has worn off, but I'm a terrible patient and I lied and said I did pee and that I just flushed it.  I'm a nurse now, so I know better because it's for my own good, but at that time, I didn't care.  

And, if you have an epidural, you won't care because you won't feel it at all.  With no epidural, you'll feel it, but not enough to care since you will have much worse to worry about... like the contractions and the baby.  

Things have changed from the old days.  They used to give enemas also, but again, now they don't care.  If you have a bowel movement on the bed, they wipe it out of the way and keep going.  They see it all the time.  

 

SittinUnderAPalmTree

I had a catheter put in one day at the doctor's office due to bladder spasms and not being able to go. Even without any numbness, I barely felt it and the relief it provided was definitely worth any (though little) discomfort it caused.  

Soap1

I had a catheter once at a urologist appt and it burned a little but was no big deal.  Had a catheter put in right before the epidural with DS, and I was in so much pain already I didn't notice a thing!

UrbanHippieMama

And even if you do need one with your epi, you so don't feel it!  It took a couple tries for the nurses to get mine in, and I didn't feel a thing.  Then they just deflated the balloon during pushing and I pushed it out.

After labour I pretty much got up to pee right away.  Honestly, don't worry about it either way!

cherryghost

I really should not read this kind of stuff at 11pm at night.

ekmebm

I've had one in the past during a non-pregnancy related hospitalization and it wasn't that bad. If you have an epidural, you won't feel it. If you're going natural, you'll likely be in so much other pain you won't even notice.

AppleMomma

That's true. I was in the labor bed for 3 days because they had to induce me, I had the epidural in for about 10 hours and that's why I got the catheter. Worst part was they wouldn't let me drink water just Popsicles and Ice cubes, so I had brown urine when they hooked me up. Within 6 hours after birth, I was going clear & like a horse. So ladies who end up with regular labor & short delivery you'll be fine.

KeyRyn320

If you can handle a pap smear, you can handle a catheter. Trust me!