Pre-E and C-section anxiety

mfv1204 · October 2011

Hi Gals -

After a few scary days (was told I have pre-eclampsia, admitted to labor and delivery, monitored for two days, released, now at home) my doctor is watching me daily and monitoring my blood pressure. If it gets too high, we are going in ASAP for delivery but I'm on bed rest now and trying to get to next Wed, at least 37 weeks per her recommendation.

I'm now having a hard time relaxing because I'm working myself up over the c-section. I know it sounds silly but I'm sooooo nervous about the urinary catheter. I've had a catheter try to be inserted once before for a urinary diagnostic test (I have urgency and frequency of the bladder) and it burned soooo bad. I know I'll be numb when they insert it and probably won't feel it but I'm so worried about the next couple of days and having that unbearable burning every time I pee. Will the pain meds from after the surgery dull this feeling hopefully? Any positive stories would really help put my mind at ease.

TIA

Jessicaanne_1@yahoo.com · October 2011

They had to put mine in while I could feel it the second time, because I was being put under general. The first time, I had an epidural already. I believe the first thing they do in the OR is the spinal so you shouldn't feel a thing.

lwogsland · October 2011

I could feel them touching me as mine was placed..but no pain...and zero burning with urinating afterwards..it was in for such a short time anyways.

Really, the c-section recovery was quite easy for me..as it was scheduled for pre-ec the day before..so it was a calm environment..

JG362009 · October 2011

I thought the catheter was the worst part, too. It actually doesn't hurt, I just psychologically hated the idea of having a catheter. I ended up having a UTI so mine was really painful having it in and urinating afterwards, but if you don't have an infection it probably won't hurt at all. I'm sorry -- but good luck with your c-section and hope all goes well.

cassoppea · October 2011

Don't let that catheter get you nervous. You won't even be thinking about it with that beautiful baby in your arms!

caradull · October 2011

I too am scheduled for a c-section, and I am very nervous/scared about the whole surgery. I am worried about everything lol. But like the ladies are saying that have had it, I am sure we won't feel anything with the spinal/epidural or general that we get first. Good luck to you! Smile

faith194 · October 2011

I have IC and was completely nervous about the catheter(I didn't want an epi due to needing a cath). When I had my diagnostic test for IC, the pain was awful during and after. I was literally afraid to pee for a week after the test, even with the numbing pills.

I did not feel the catheter at all for my c-section, nor was I afraid to pee due to stabbing pain(I was afraid to pee due to the pain of getting up and down from a sitting position.

Don't be afraid of the pain of the cath.

ChiTown Bridget · October 2011

I was nervous about the catheter too. I already had my spinal when it was placed so I didn't feel it but I was worried about how I would feel when the spinal wore off and I never felt a thing. And when they take it out it is so fast you normally dont feel that either.

scuba2011 · October 2011

I had pre-e but started out with induction in hopes of not needing the c-section, it didn't work out like that but I tried. Anyway, early in the day the nurse tried to put in the cath and failed- twice. She found a nurse friend who also failed. After the discomfort I said no more and "go get my doctor." When my OB came in she made them stop trying and had me wait until after the epi was in place. My OB then put the cath in and it went in with no issues on her first try. She had no idea why the nurses couldn't handle is so my advice- if the nurses struggle ask for your doctor! I had it in for almost 15 hours before delivery and another 24 after. It was no big deal to get it taken out. I also didn't have any discomfort peeing after.

stardust317 · October 2011

I had a scheduled csection due to pre-e. I had my spinal before I had the catheter put in. I could tell someone was touching me, but I couldn't feel any kind of pain from it. When the nurse pulled it the next morning, I just felt like I had to pee as she was removing it. It took me a minute to pee the first time I tried, but I turned the water on and that seemed to help.

snoopy3319 · October 2011

I had pre-e and attempted a vaginal delivery. We had to put a catheter in due to a magnesium drip to help my blood pressure. I wasn't numb, and it was not pleasant. However, if you've already got the spinal or epidural put in, no worries. You won't feel a thing. Also, when they took it out, I was terrified, but I didn't really feel anything. The freaking tape they used to secure the thing was miserable to have taken off, almost worse than having the catheter put in.

If you know you're headed for a C-section, ask them to wait to do the catheter until after the spinal. Easy as that.

I did have some lingering burning sometimes when I had to pee, but it was more of an insane urgency pee burning, rather than actual burning when I peed. I hope that makes sense. It went away after about 4 weeks pp.

RumbleLina · October 2011

You would still end up with a catheter with a vaginal delivery if you had an epidural. Whether with a vaginal epidural or c-section you should not feel it post epi/spinal. Obviously with the vaginal they do not leave it in like they do with a c-section but I could never feel it even and the sensation of them take it out wasn't too bad either. More uncomfortable than pain.

I was induced due to pre-e with a failed induction resulting in general anasethsia c-section so I had the cathether during my 3 hours of pushing and than obviously afterwards from the c-section.

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