Visiting from June 2012 - ? for those who had an epidural

SummerMama12 · June 2012

I didn't have this experience with my first delivery, so I'm wondering for this time around. If you had an epidural and they put in a urinary catheter while you had the epi:

1) did they wait until you were numb to put it in?

2) at what point did they remove it?

I am terrified of this and need some reassurance here!!!

JerushaLyn · June 2012

I had one with my first and they did wait until I was numb. They also removed it just before the epi so I didn't feel anything involving the catheter.

najzomax · June 2012

I had an epidural during my delivery on Friday and was given a catheter... They did wait until it had kicked in to put the catheter in and they didn't leave it in, they just removed it as soon as my bladder was empty. They did it again after the delivery was done. I didn't even feel the catheter and have had no problems since then.

Jess & Drew · June 2012

They waited until I was numb to put it in. And they took it out about 12ish hours after my c-section. I was obviously no longer numb, but the nurse who took mine out was the best ever.

FWIW. I have also had a catheter without being numb (for other reasons) and even that wasn't so bad. The worst part of that one was them pulling it out because the didn't let all of the air out of the "bubble" that holds it in place.

chloebeth930 · June 2012

The eppi wasn't bad at all. Honestly, the contractions will hurt so bad that you won't even care, you will just want some relief. Even the shot to numb felt just like a little pinch. The IV in my hand hurt worse. I didn't even know that they were finished, all the sudden the nurse said, "we are done" and I was shocked.

They removed it after I was all stitched up from the delivery. The only advice I would have is to ask them to put the catheter in after your eppi.

cltk12 · June 2012

Jess & Drew:

They waited until I was numb to put it in. And they took it out about 12ish hours after my c-section. I was obviously no longer numb.

This. I was worried for them to take it out, but I didn't feel a thing.

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JennyJensing · June 2012

They waited until I was numb to put it in. They also took it out while I was numb. Didn't even feel it. I had a vag birth. The worse part of the epi was trying to sit still through contractions. They took 2 tries to get my epi in and I was contracting pretty hard by then. But because I knew it would take the pain away, somehow they were easier to tolerate!

elviebird · June 2012

I was terrified of the catheter too, but in the end I loved it - because I was drinking a ton (in addition to the fluids they were pumping in me) and never had to get up to pee!

1) Yes
2) The next day. I felt it but it didn't hurt. Just sort of weird feeling.

NatPhoto09 · June 2012

I didn't have a catheter put in when I got my epidural. They did drain my bladder though right before I pushed and then after I delivered they drained my bladder b/c I was too numb to pee in the bathroom. I didn't feel when they drained my bladder.

MrsC968 · June 2012

Jess & Drew:
They waited until I was numb to put it in. And they took it out about 12ish hours after my c-section. I was obviously no longer numb, but the nurse who took mine out was the best ever.

This for me too. It didn't really feel like anything coming out.

FyreFlyeRush · June 2012

They put it in shortly after the epidural. I was definitely numb, but I still felt contractions. I was on bed rest for 8.5 hours after I delivered, so they took it out at that point. I didn't feel a thing either time. The worst part was feeling my bladder get full after it was removed and being afraid to pee! That first pee after you stitches is nerve wracking.

faydre · June 2012

SummerMama12:
I didn't have this experience with my first delivery, so I'm wondering for this time around. If you had an epidural and they put in a urinary catheter while you had the epi:
1) did they wait until you were numb to put it in?
2) at what point did they remove it?
I am terrified of this and need some reassurance here!!!

Yes, they waited on the catheter, I didn't feel a thing.

They removed it after delivery, I didn't even notice really.

The epidural was the best choice I made. I really didn't want one, but once my contractions started they came fast and hard. Every 2 minutes lasting at least a minute. the epidural allowed me to get some rest, and made pushing as easy as it was going to be. I was scared too, but it wasn't as bad as I had imagined it would be. It was really easy, and the relief was awesome.

MelissaMiso · June 2012

SummerMama12:
I didn't have this experience with my first delivery, so I'm wondering for this time around. If you had an epidural and they put in a urinary catheter while you had the epi:
1) did they wait until you were numb to put it in?
2) at what point did they remove it?
I am terrified of this and need some reassurance here!!!

I had a c-section. I had the epi and was numb pretty quick. i didn't even notice when they put the urinary catheter in. They took the cath out the next day (I had the baby really late at night) and barely felt it coming out. They had to put a second catheter in bc I didn't regain the ability to squeeze my bladder muscles (don't worry, this isn't common). I felt the second one go in/out but it was more the pressure and no pain. Plus it was such a relief to get the pee out with the second cath. Whew! It's really not bad in my experience.

SummerMama12 · June 2012

Thanks for the feedback. My fears are based on a horrible experience I had years ago with an inexperienced nurse inserting a catheter incorrectly (she had to do it twice) which was so painful I screamed and freaked out. It was something that really traumatized me and I have had anxiety issues with medical stuff in that area of my body ever since. I'm terrified of that happening again but I think I will want an epidural this time so I was hoping I'd at least be numb for it.

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