Tip for those considering an epidural
So a post on this board prompted me to say something. Anyone considering in an epidural - yes they do give you a catheter when you get an epi. They are SUPPOSED to take it out before you start pushing. I would encourage everyone to DEMAND that they take it out first.
I remember asking one of my nurses if they would take it out before I started the pushing process and she told me they would. For some stupid reason they didn't and I ended up pushing it out of my urethra on my own, before I pushed my daughter out. And let me just tell you it F'ed ME UP. It is like this balloon thing that they inflate in your bladder and the massive thing came out whole. I lost all bladder control for weeks and weeks afterward. (Any time I stood up I would pee my pants)
So it was absolutely awful and I believe it contributed to my 2nd degree perineal tear. Please learn from me and be your own advocate - it is not worth the damage, and all it takes is for you to tell someone (like your husband or whoever is in the room) to remind the staff that is what you want.
Good luck to you all!
Re: Tip for those considering an epidural
Great tip. Most nurses and doctors WILL remember to take it out, but it's a good thing to know that they are supposed to. Advocate for yourself!
Also, be aware that you may have some bladder control issues either way. I had an epi and I had two times that I stood up out of my hospital bed and peed everywhere! I had no clue I even had to go. It was mortifying. But it was fine by the time I went home. Just don't be shocked if it happens once or twice!
Something else to consider: getting a cath increases your chances of getting a UTI. I am VERY prone to UTI's and sometimes I need to take several courses of antibiotics to get it to go away.
One of the reasons I am not planning on getting an epidural.
Hi Ladies,
I am an L&D nurse and we do not leave foley catheters in patients while they are in labor at my hospital. We straight cath them. I would ask if you can be straight cathed rather then having a foley left in to eliminate any issues. For those that don't know, a straight cath is when we empty the bladder via catheter, but remove it immediately once the bladder is drained. Let me know if you have any questions.
Francesca
Thank you so much! I'll be sure to ask about that, just jotted it down, lol.
This was the exact procedure they used with DS and I had no issues.