Epidural question

LargeMargeSentMe

Quick question-- Of all the things I'm terrified the most of during labor (besides the baby being healthy of course), I'm most scared of getting a catheter.  Can someone explain this to me? How does it work? 

WorkinWeezel

I got one bc I couldn't Pee on my own and I didn't feel it at all.

allokar

Didn't feel a thing with mine. I was scared about that and the IV, but compared to contractions, I didn't even know anything else hurt. 

crunchymnm

The catheter was a big reason I didn't want an epidural with DS, the idea freaked me out. Plus I'd heard UTIs are common after them (could be false tho, I didn't get one then). Honestly, I was in SOOO much pain and thankful for the epidural that I didn't even care. I remember them saying they were going to put in the catheter, but I don't remember them doing it, and I'm pretty sure I didn't feel it either. I never felt them take out either.

KMLilly143

I had an epi so I guess I had a cath! Shows how much it bothered me! I want to say they did it after the epi kicked in so I didn't feel a thing. I don't remember it at all. And I am a huge chicken. The epi was what I was scared of and that too was a piece of cake. 

libfish825

Yeah I'm sure I got the "this is what's about to happen" rundown, but it went in after my epi had taken affect and I had a million other thoughts and emotions crowding out any care about the catheter.  I do remember a bit of a pinching feeling when it was removed because they waited until the epi had worn off enough for me to walk to the bathroom. Even then, I was happily post-partum and didn't care a bit.

 

I remember discussing it in our birth class before DD was born and the instructor made such a small deal of it that I hadn't given it a second thought until I got one. 

NativeFloridian

They'll insert it after you're numb, and you can ask them to take it out before the epi wears off.  With my first, I don't even remember it going in, and they removed the catheter shortly after I delivered, before the epi wore off.  With my second they put it in as soon as I got my epi, then waited until the epi wore off before they removed it (either that or the tiny dose I was given didn't last long enough to get me through that part).  It was a bit uncomfortable, but overwith quickly.  Either way it's not a huge deal.

krissymac

I totally had no idea thy would cath me after my epidural. I think I had been working so hard thru the contractions that I didn't even know what they were doing, I was just trying to relax and enjoy the break the epidural gave me. I don't recall when it was taken out either. MH doesn't recall the catheter part at all...

Monsieur_et_Madame_Ha

WorkinWeezel:

I got one bc I couldn't Pee on my own and I didn't feel it at all.

Same here.

I had to pee REALLy bad, but I just wasn't able to. I don't know if getting a catheter usually is painless or if it was because of the epi, but I didn't feel a thing when they put it in - except the sweet relief of an empty bladder  

OhSewCrafty

I had an epi, but didn't have a constant cath. Once they helped me to pee and another time they quickly cathed me to empty my bladder.

BoatsNHoes

I freaking loved it. Never had to get up and pee. They put it in after my epi so I didn't feel anything and it took like 2 seconds. The removal (after epi) was equally as quick and painless. Getting up to pee was way worse than the cath.

Trish&Pete07

With DD1 I had an epi that didn't kick in and they still cathed me. I have a very mild sensitivity to latex, something I hardly ever thing of, but I sure noticed that, even with the contractions. I made them take it out and they reinserted every 45 mins to an hour to empty my bladder (with a non-latex alternative).

With DD2 I don't even remember having one. Come to think of it I don't remember explaining the cath from the 1st time and my reaction to it. I guess DH must have said something, he kind of took over all the talking stuff once we got to the hospital

mollyskywalker

You won't even know it's there if you get an epi.

agytay

The catheter was my BFF. I loved not having to get up to pee. After a vaginal delivery, getting up was the very last thing I wanted to do.

nyki06

I had to get one when I had my epi. I couldn't feel it during the process but I did have pain from it afterwards. I thought I had a bladder infection but then found out that when you have a catheter it can take time to heal in some women, which can be uncomfortable/painful.