Catheter during c-section

Calysto999 · May 2013

Hi Ladies, I am going in for a scheduled CS in 6 weeks. I am terrified about the catheter and wondering if they put it in after you receive the spinal block or before? Does it hurt or am I just freaking myself out?

amb04006 · May 2013

They put it in after the spinal with me, and I didn't feel a thing. I had a different experience with it coming out than the PP. I didn't think it was painful at all. It just felt like I had to pee really badly for a second, then it was over.

Cristine · May 2013

Both of mine were put in after I had an epidural/spinal block. I didn't feel a think. Coming out didn't really bother me, other than I was sad to see it go since it meant I was going to have to start getting up regularly.

mariahrb · May 2013

I had two catheters, both went in after epidural. They took it out the next morning, didnt hurt at all. Trust me, it's so nice not having to worry about peeing every 2 min like when I was prego. I loved the catheter. Lol.

NicoleWI · May 2013

After, and it is totally fine--you won't even know, really. BUT, I had a problem after they removed it and couldn't pee, which I guess is semi-common, and had to have it re-inserted the next night. Ugh!!! It was uncomfortable but really not painful. It was more just humiliating, even though the nurse was super nice.

Runaway22 · May 2013

I had an emergency c/s and had to go under general - so no epi, no spinal, nothing. If I'd had time to think about it before hand, I'd probably have freaked out, but it went so quickly the pain only lasted a couple seconds - kind of a sharp "ouch!" but nothing to cry over. I also had a million distractions around me from the surgery prep to the anesthesiologist explaining things to me... So, even if for some reason you don't get it after your spinal block, it's not as bad as it sounds.

HarrietNJMommy · May 2013

I've had 4 c-sections. The first 3 - the catheter was put in BEFORE the spinal. Yes, BEFORE. And it was no big deal. Uncomfortable? Yes, but not super painful.

The 4th c-section, they changed the rules in my hospital and put it in after the spinal.

Dolls2011 · May 2013

I had a catheter put in without an epidural for medical reasons and it honestly didn't hurt at all. It was just an awkward uncomfortable feeling.

rockyrollgirl · May 2013

I had an emergency c-section. The catheter was given after I got the epidural and I didn't feel it. It didn't really bother me until I was in recovery and I hated it when they had me walk to the bathroom for the first time to clean myself. It was very uncomfortable and I was thankful when they finally took it out. I had a hard labor so this is probably contributed to the fact that I was very swollen down there to begin with. The IV was the worst though.

Neener73 · May 2013

They inserted mine after the spinal block. I've had catheters put in for other procedures that I wasn't given pain meds for. The catheters really didn't hurt. The antiseptic used to clean the area just burned for a little while.

isacdimi10 · May 2013

They gave me an option with #3. I was like "Seriously you think I'm going to want it BEFORE?" Mine have all be after.

Except with #1 and #3 the epidural and spinal (Respectively: had different anesthesia for them) I wasn't "numb" enough and could feel them putting it in but it didn't hurt but I did know it was going in.

#2 I had not a clue as to what was going on when.

ETA: I should add that the reason I wasn't numb enough with #3 was because it had JUST been placed.

Ooglybear · May 2013

bdcram:
... She said that if I did it in the triage room then it would just be me and her but if I did it in the OR it would be 10 people. I didn't really care and did it after my spinal anyway...

LOL everyone in the OR is going to see your naked hoo-hah anyway! I agree with you, its weird that they even offered...

WhitWed · May 2013

Mine was put in after the spinal block set and I was laid down on the operating table. It had to be readjusted once when the medicine was wearing off and that was uncomfortable, but not too painful. Pulling it out was quick. Nothing about it was painful, in my opinion, just awkward.

Bookwormyone · May 2013

Mine was done before the spinal. When the nurse told me they had to do it first I was freaking out, but it really wasn't that bad. Just a little uncomfortable.

Calysto999 · May 2013

Thank you ladies. I will definitely ask (bribe if I have to) to get it done post-spinal block. I just can't imagine it - still cringing a bit over here.

JG362009 · May 2013

The catheter is hands down the worst thing about c-section! I hated both of mine and got a UTI after the first. No UTIs the second time around but I almost had to have a bladder ultrasound because I wasn't able to void urine after it. My body just does not handle catheters well and mentally not being able to pee when I want in the bathroom is nightmarish. But good news is that they took mine out like 12 hours post op both times and although it took days for my bladder/peeing to feel better, I don't have permanent complications and felt better.

Lovehavinggirls · May 2013

I had an emergency csection and it was put in before. Everything was so crazy that I didn't even realize they had put one in.

capulet · May 2013

After the spinal for me for both sections. I think. Honestly, it's like getting the spinal itself, it's one of those things everyone freaks out about but I really don't even remember.

KellyAnne82 · May 2013

mariahrb:
I had two catheters, both went in after epidural. They took it out the next morning, didnt hurt at all. Trust me, it's so nice not having to worry about peeing every 2 min like when I was prego. I loved the catheter. Lol.

This. My catheter went in after my spinal (I felt some pushing but no pain. I think my Dr had it in super fast) and I couldn't feel any pain. It was really nice for about 10 hours pp being able to drink all I wanted and not worry about getting up at all. When the nurse removed it, it didnt hurt at all (definitely had the tampon feeling), but some slight swelling-and nerves-made me unable to 'void' much of anything at my first attempt. About an hour later I realized that sitting far forward on the toilet and running the water really helped!

magdalina.h · May 2013

They put mine in after both times. One emergency and one scheduled.

It only hurt when they took the 2nd one out because there was an extra air bubble in there that they didn't know about.

zbeesma86 · May 2013

You can absolutely say you want it done AFTER your pain meds are distributed. I did. When they put my IV in they made a comment about putting the catheter in and I was like no no no no.. not until I have my spinal. hahahahaha.

Don't be scared. I know it is easier said than done and I was terrified too. BUT it is so nice not to have to worry about getting up and peeing. Your scar will be tender and you will want to sit in bed and hold your beautiful LO and not worry about taking 10-15 mins to get up. Pee. Lay back down. It's a process, at first, but you will be just fine!

When they took mine out- the nurse said pretend like you are blowing out your birthday candles and I did and didn't even feel it!! I was so scared about it coming out- but it is way overworked in your head, especially if this is the first baby for you.

Good luck!!

salt78 · May 2013

I got my cath after my epidural. I didn't even feel it go in and it didn't hurt when they took it out either. It sounds way scarier than it is, I promise.

Mom38673 · May 2013

They put it in after the spinal. You will have no clue what they are up to down there! It doesn't hurt. It will be uncomfortable when they remove it, but overall it's nothing to worry about.

stemms8810 · May 2013

I got mine after my spinal.

pamelamelanie924 · May 2013

I was numb when they did mine, however, I had to have an in & out cath done because I couldn't pee after so many hours of having it out. That was a bit uncomfortable.

Calysto999 · May 2013

Thanks everyone for the comments. I will definitely ask to put it in post-spinal block.

vindaloo · May 2013

They put it in after the spinal, so I didn't feel it at all. When they took it out the next day the nurse acted like it was going to hurt but I barely felt it at all. Maybe because I was on plenty of norco at that point. Don't worry, it isn't bad at all!

gladesgrl · May 2013

I had a scheduled section for my first, but someone screwed up by not telling me the correct time to get to the hospital. I had to get my cath before by spinal and it was not pleasant! This time I know better.

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