Why did nobody tell me?!

GingerCupcake

I received a catheter after my epidural during labour with DD1 and I felt it and told the nurses so. It was the first sign to tell them that my epidural hadn't worked properly and had to be readjusted, so I'm actually glad I had it. It enabled me to have the epidural adjusted so that it was more effective, I'd rather find out the epi wasn't right from a little catheter jolt than from a crazy painful episode of pushing.

Livs-mama

I did not have to get one.  They gave me a bed pan to use if I needed to used the bathroom after I got my epidural.

StefanyaMarie

I am at 33 weeks and I too was not told about this by anyone I talked to. I read it on the message bored last week and started to freak out. But then after reading everyone's post on it about how it isn't that big of a deal I am started to calm down about it. Dont feel left out of the loop though, I think a lot of woman are shocked by this one.

emmyloustu

I found the cath to be very uncomfortable. I was very aware of it the entire time.

MommySteph2009

I didn't know that I would get a catheter when I had DS and got my epidural.  It was nice not having to get up and pee like I do now.  No big deal, it's painless.

tchubirubi

Kvitale87:

Oh wow... I didn't know that until you just told me. Well its that or natural and I don't know if I can handle that either!

Yes, you can handle natural birth. If you want to (unless something else happens and a c-section is somehow needed), you can, just like any other mammal female. And the way I see it, your body has been built to push a baby out of your vagina, but not to have a needle inserted in your spine, or a cath in your urethra, so those are different things and I understand how creepy they can sound (they sound really creepy to me too). But then, our bodies weren't built to take contraceptive pills, or to eat chocolate, or to parachute, or fly, either and we still do, so... I think you'll probably be ok anyway.

But if you are really, really unconfortable with the epi and the cath and all that... you do have options. Go check the natural birth board! It is never too late!

Good luck with whatever you choose! All the best!

amberdl28

I had an epidural and did NOT have a catherter in the whole time. They put it in emptied my bladder and took it out. I did not feel a thing.

J&N01.05.08

I have to disagree with people...My cath with my first was very painful and I felt it the entire time. I had another one done recently and it was only uncomfortable. The nurse said perhaps it was because I was so swollen the first time. I also have an issue with UTIs and I got one after both caths.

kbuns

I know I'm late and just lurking but when I had my baby I didn't get a cath and I had the epi. I was in labor for 18 hours and recieved the epi at 17 hours. So its not a definite. But good luck and believe me after you have that beautiful baby on your chest you truly forget about all the pain you just went through!