Can we talk catheters?

KCBride18

First, let me say that all of the posts on this board are so helpful.  I'm 4 days away from my RCS and I'm trying to do all of the research I can so I feel at least a little prepared.

 What can you tell me about the catheter?  Both having it put in and then taken out?  What's the pain like when put in/while in/when taken out?  How were you after?  I don't even know what to imagine!

 Thanks in advance

AMK2008

My experience was painless.  They put it in after my spinal, so I didn't even know when they did it.  When they took it out it was an odd/slightly uncomfortable feeling, but definitely not painful.  It took about 3 seconds and it was done.

This was something I was originally concerned about too, but it really wasn't a big deal.

Msbean22

I was terrified of the catheter. Absolutely petrified. And you know what? The nurse that put mine in was new to the job. She mucked it all up, and it hurt very badly. All I could do was squeeze my husband's hand and have him wipe the tears from my eyes.

But then, thankfully, the anesthesiologist came in, and the very apt decision was made to wait until the epidural. I'm not sure why she didn't wait in the first place.

My experience is probably a worst case scenario, but you can probably ask to have it after the epidural. Easy peasy that way.   

Daisy22

All 3 times it was painless. It was put in after the epidural had taken effect so I didn't feel anything. It was taken out after 12hours and my hospital gives you a pain pump in your epidural spot that you keep fro 24 hours. When they pulled the cath out the nurse had me do an extra dose on the pain pump and I didnt' feel any pain with it coming out.

Zimger

AMK2008:

My experience was painless.  They put it in after my spinal, so I didn't even know when they did it.  When they took it out it was an odd/slightly uncomfortable feeling, but definitely not painful.  It took about 3 seconds and it was done.

This was something I was originally concerned about too, but it really wasn't a big deal.

This was basically my experience as well.

tawillers

Zimger:

AMK2008:

My experience was painless.  They put it in after my spinal, so I didn't even know when they did it.  When they took it out it was an odd/slightly uncomfortable feeling, but definitely not painful.  It took about 3 seconds and it was done.

This was something I was originally concerned about too, but it really wasn't a big deal.

This was basically my experience as well.

Same here.

Don't be afraid to ask the nurse about how things happen while you're getting ready.  You can confirm that the catheter will be placed after your spinal.

matt'sbride

I was really nervous about the catheter too. But, by the time they did it, I was so relieved! I was in labor for a few hrs before getting it and I kept feeling like I had to go to pee so often (DD was causing extra pressure at the time) that they finally decided to do it. I was still a little nervous, but I remember thinking "ahh, that's better", haha. For the first time in SO LONG I didn't feel like I needed to pee! haha.

I don't remember much about them removing it. I was so out of it after my cs that it's all a little foggy. I would think that I'd remember if it was painful though, so it must not have hurt.

LaineyPaney

Going in: never felt it. In the OR after I was numb.

 Coming out: stung a little, but it was so quick, that it was seriously no worse than a shot/injection. Stinging, and then it was over. 

giraffe54

tawillers:

Zimger:

AMK2008:

My experience was painless.  They put it in after my spinal, so I didn't even know when they did it.  When they took it out it was an odd/slightly uncomfortable feeling, but definitely not painful.  It took about 3 seconds and it was done.

This was something I was originally concerned about too, but it really wasn't a big deal.

This was basically my experience as well.

Same here.

Don't be afraid to ask the nurse about how things happen while you're getting ready.  You can confirm that the catheter will be placed after your spinal.

 

Same for me. 

Neener73

My catheter was placed before I went down to the OR.  The actual insertion didn't hurt, but the cleaning with the antiseptic burned for a little while.  It didn't hurt at all when it was removed. 

My c-section was at 8:45 a.m.  The nurse who inserted the catheter said that it would be removed that evening, once I could walk without assistance.  That didn't end up happening because I spent most of the day vomiting from the anesthesia used in the spinal block.  Therefore, the catheter was left in until the following morning, so my urine output could be easily monitored/measured.

jb2rn

Hi, I am a nurse. Always ask your nurse to do things like this after your epi/spinal!

Mine was after my epi so I didn't feel it (during labor, it was an unplanned c section). They are there to make things the best than they can for you.

best of luck!

pepomntpat

Mine was placed after my spinal. I don't remember what it was like coming out. The only issue was it fell out shortly after surgery and they had trouble getting it back in. From what I gathered from the conversation was that since my bladder was empty it didn't draw any urine immediately upon placement. Thank goodness my nurse anesthetist was not an idiot.

cherrycobbler

I guess my experience was a little bizarre.  I had no pain meds when it was inserted.  I was about to have an emergency c/s, I was given magnesium sulfate, then the catheter.  It did not hurt at all.  If anything it tickled-in that weird way when you have a UTI and you pee and it just feels funny, kinda tingly.  It was weird because I could feel the catheter snake it's way up to my bladder, but it did not hurt in any way.  Removal was somewhat similar.  I had it removed 24hr later and I was only on Motrin at this point.  The nurse had me in the bathroom on the toilet and she just told me to push like I was peeing.  She pulled it out then.  It didn't hurt, but it was slightly more uncomfortable than going in.  But it seems like my experience is in the minority here.

HarrietNJMommy

People make such a big deal about the catheter going in AFTER the spinal, but I don't think it's a big deal AT ALL. Maybe it's just me.

I have had the catheter put in BEFORE my spinal all 3 times so far and while it "tickled" (for lack of a better word", it wasn't painful at all. When they took it out it was a little weird since I had gotten used to it, but not painful.

I had a similar experience to cherrycobbler.

I'm going to have my 4th c-section end of next month and the request to have the catheter put in after my spinal isn't even on my radar. 

RayRay007

I think I already had the spinal in when they put it in... I don't know. I had an emergency c/s. Once the craziness calmed down and they realized they could do the spinal instead of knocking me out, I remember asking if we could wait for DH to get there and if I could at least go pee first. The anesthetist laughed and said I wouldn't have to worry about peeing. Oh. Yeah.

They took it out around 20 hours later. It was a little uncomfortable, but really quick and NBD.

I often see a lot of comments on here that people were stuck in bed for 24hrs because of the cath and IV. I was up walking around w/in 6 hours - the cath bag and IV on a pole. Don't let the cath keep you from getting up and moving.

ETA: Also, when they took it out I was afraid it would be like opening a flood gate and I would pee all over the place. Don't worry about that - your bladder is empty b/c of the cath!

JG362009

It was by far the worst part for me!  Getting it in is not painful but both times having it taken out was very painful.  I had a UTI after my first and it was probably the hardest part of recovery for me.  I wanted to avoid another UTI after my RCS so I asked to have it taken out ASAP, which unfortunately was still 12 long hours post op.  It's really hard to pee after it's taken out for me too.  I think a lot of this is in my head -- being able to go to the bathroom on my own is a huge control thing for me and when I can't do that it makes me so uncomfortable.  Oh, but I didn't get a UTI my second one although I almost had to have a bladder ultrasound because it felt like I couldn't void my urine at first.  I really hate catheters but I know you have to have them for c-sections.  

stepht514

Putting it in I didnt notice too much because I already had the spinal. I felt them touching me which was odd and I was spralled out on the table again odd but thats it. Taking it out...not trying to scare you but my lady parts were super swollen after the csection. I am not sure why. It hurt to sit up on them and everything. So, when they took out the catheter...well it hurt a lot. Thankfully it was quick but it stung pretty bad. I did scream. I wished someone had told me that this could happen. The nurse said she had never seen someone swell up so bad in that area like that after the csection and thats probably why it hurt so bad. So, not trying to scare you but wanted to let you know the possibilites that I didnt know about.

jjhp2018

If you have it done before the spinal it's not "supposed" to hurt - maybe be a little comfortable but for the most part they are supposed to be pretty painless. BUT the last 2 times i've had caths - and this last weekend I only did a cath sample for being admitted - they hurt me bad.  

With DD2 it was more of an emergency c-section and they gave me the cath before going in the OR during horrible contractions - I screamed out but it was pretty quick. It felt like they were scraping me all the way up inside to place it.

During the samle they took with a cath last weekend - OMG. They said I was so swollen in there they couldn't get to my bladder. They did the cath 5 different times with 3 nurses. One nurse literally held me open with both of her hands while another tried different tubes. My body was shaking from pain and I had tears. Once they finally got the sample they came and checked on me 2 different times. I was bleeding from it all.

My RCS is on Tues and I already told them I refuse to allow them to put it in until after my spinal. Especially still being swollen in there. I had no idea I was swollen at all - they were the ones who told me that. So, if you have a situation like mine, you will definetly want to ask for it after the spinal is placed!

 

vanitylalala

It wasn't bad at all. I didn't get it inserted until after the epidural, so I didn't feel a thing. The removal wasn't bad either. I guess I'd heard so many horror stories I just expected it to be worse.

xXLissettXx

I had a pretty good experience, no pain and the nurse did a great job. Only thing is I was very paranoid about the line getting caught on something accidentally, so I grabbed about a foot of the line and held to it tight. I had my epidural first, and then the catheter. My CS had to be an emergency since baby's cord came out when my water broke so I'm glad I held on to the line, or it might have been yanked out!! >_< I know it probably wouldn't have happened but you never know, and I'd rather be safe than sorry and make sure it stays in instead of bleeding out, blowing up, and then having it placed on my other hand instead....

solsburyhill

I was really nervous about it but both were no big deal, at all.

jullybean

Zimger:

AMK2008:

My experience was painless.  They put it in after my spinal, so I didn't even know when they did it.  When they took it out it was an odd/slightly uncomfortable feeling, but definitely not painful.  It took about 3 seconds and it was done.

This was something I was originally concerned about too, but it really wasn't a big deal.

This was basically my experience as well.

Same here. I had the anesthesia before the catheter and never felt it. The nurse who removed it told me to take a deep breath in and then out as she removed it. Honestly didn't hurt at all.

stemms8810

Mine was put in after my spinal and I felt nothing.  I also felt nothing when it came out even though the spinal had wore off by then.  I had no pain just a little difficulty peeing myself afterwards but that was only the first time I tired to pee.

Soon2BMrsN

AMK2008:

My experience was painless.  They put it in after my spinal, so I didn't even know when they did it.  When they took it out it was an odd/slightly uncomfortable feeling, but definitely not painful.  It took about 3 seconds and it was done.

This was something I was originally concerned about too, but it really wasn't a big deal.

word-for-word... this

mommytoconnor

I am an OB nurse and at our hospital we place catheters after you are numb.  So you don't feel anything.  When we take them out there is the tiniest little pull, but it is super fast and really isn't a big deal.Good luck

purpleXdandelion

LaineyPaney:

Going in: never felt it. In the OR after I was numb.

 Coming out: stung a little, but it was so quick, that it was seriously no worse than a shot/injection. Stinging, and then it was over. 

This.

MariJ1008

I didn't feel anything. They put in catheter after my spinal. And when they took it out, I didn't feel much either, and it was so fast.

I was really worried about peeing on myself after it was taken out...but I never did, I felt the sensation whenever I had to go to the bathroom. But the first time I did have to get up walk to bathroom, I needed help. I couldn't walk on my own, and for some reason I got very dizzy.

mest1215

i never felt them put it in (other than just pressure down there when they were poking/prodding). I was such a lazy butt after my RCS that i asked the nurse "oh do i have to have it out...its so nice to not have to get up to go to the bathroom lol" and she said "EVERYONE asks me that...lol"

earthmama2011

AMK2008:

My experience was painless.  They put it in after my spinal, so I didn't even know when they did it.  When they took it out it was an odd/slightly uncomfortable feeling, but definitely not painful.  It took about 3 seconds and it was done.

This was something I was originally concerned about too, but it really wasn't a big deal.

 

Yes, this exactly. I was really worried about it too but honestly it wasn't bad at all. 

mrsmklynch

With my first, they put it in before the spinal. That was not a fun experience. With the second, it was done after the spinal. Honestly, the iv in my hand was the most painful thing that was done to me that day. When they took it out, it was uncomfortable but only for a few seconds. No big deal.