Epidural/catheter question/no epidural

jadiereu@yahoo.com · December 2013

So... I am planning on not having an epidural. I am a FTM and I don't really don't want to expect so it could change.
But I have had 20+ major and minor surgeries in the past on my kidneys where some I could opt out of certain drugs because I always had a weird reaction/allergic reaction to them.
Anyway... While I was having this conversation I said hopefully if I don't get a epidural I won't get a catheter and someone told me I will anyways...
So what happened with you guys?
I thought if you didn't get one you wouldn't have to since you can still stand up, keep your balance, etc.
I could be very wrong but just thought I would see...
I'm being induced tomorrow and tried to call and ask but they said they would call me back....
Thanks in advance . (:

FutureMrsCaesar · December 2013

I think you are correct in that no epidural = no need for the catheter. I mean if they want to give you one you can just say no, I'll get up and pee thanks. Hopefully for your sake I am correct!

mavgirl_73 · December 2013

Catheters are not necessary unless you don't have use of your legs. Even if you decide to have an epi you can request that the catheter be removed during the pushi phase. If I were delivering in a hospital I would refuse it unless medically necessary. I have horrible urinary retention when a cath is placed so for me it's more of a hinderence. I'd be upfront with the nurses about your desires and advocate for yourself if you don't want one. Bedpans aren't fun but I'd take one over a cath any day of the week

KelseyKetchum · December 2013

This is the exact reason I want to try without an epi. I don't want a catheter at all

blainethetrain · December 2013

I had no epidural and no catheter last time. I also got to take a shower immediately after delivery (before I even went to my recovery room). There are a few perks to going med-free.

BootsOrHearts · December 2013

I had one because I was a C and got a UTI (albeit an asymtomatic one) I'm assuming as a result. So yeah they suck.

jamrosj · December 2013

I had an epidural and they only inserted a catheter once. They didn't mention it until I got the epi after 12 hours.

Skylight21 · December 2013

I had an epi and a catheter because my leg went so numb I couldn't move it.

I agree though, if you have use of your legs then you can say no the the catheter.

grannyweatherwax · December 2013

I didn't have an epi or a cath. There was no time for that and I refused to sit or lay in the bed until the nurse basically made me because I had the ring of fire...

vande2006 · December 2013

I didn't need a catheter with both my epi free births.

leahraewku · December 2013

I've had an epi every time, but I've never had the catheter put in until after I've had the epi. I'd assume they're not necessary if you have use of your legs.

MissyC979 · December 2013

I had an epi then the catheter was placed after that. They took it out for the pushing.

Brandi81012 · December 2013

I had an epidural and did not have a catheter placed, they straight cathed me after getting the epidural inserted then again after birth then by the time I went to post partum I was able/had to walk/shuffle to the bathroom with stand-by assistance by a nurse twice.

secret214uWed28879 · December 2013

last pregnancy I had to pee really bad and the anesthesiologist came and was in a crabby mood so the nurses told me to wait and I got the epi, then after that they have me a catheter just to drain my bladder and then they took it out. they didn't leave it in because I didn't want it in the first place.

azmama20 · December 2013

I had an epi, and the catheter was only placed in every couple hours to drain my bladder, and drained again before pushing. So I think it depends on your hospital. But I would think worst case scenario for you would be they drain your bladder right before pushing so you don't have to walk around with baby's head basically hanging out of you.

thetheisens · December 2013

I was honestly happy to get the catheter in when I got my epi. I might be weird. I had an IV with antibiotics in it and a fluid dip and pitocin, my water had broke already and I was gushing every where every time I stood up. Getting up to pee (which I did often) was a miserable ordeal. I also had the monitors on for the baby and the put the one up my vag too that the nurse had to disconnect so I could pee. But I would not of had to have one if I hadn't gotten the epi.

Jenniferomeo · December 2013

I had an epidural and DIDN'T get a catheter. They said it was a "walking epi" as in I never lost feeling in my legs. I will say though... I peed all over the place while I was pushing!

Whitterpow · December 2013

thetheisens said:
I was honestly happy to get the catheter in when I got my epi. I might be weird. I had an IV with antibiotics in it and a fluid dip and pitocin, my water had broke already and I was gushing every where every time I stood up. Getting up to pee (which I did often) was a miserable ordeal. I also had the monitors on for the baby and the put the one up my vag too that the nurse had to disconnect so I could pee. But I would not of had to have one if I hadn't gotten the epi.

Same here. I was hooked up to so much I was glad once I didn't have to walk that far to pee anymore. They put it in after my epi and took it out before pushing time.

MGalles · December 2013

I had an epi and they gave me a choice for the catheter. They let me try peeing on my own with a bed pan since I wasn't horribly numb. They didn't use the catheter until I asked them to and it let me dilate from 6 to 9 by just emptying my bladder.

swirl25 · December 2013

I didn't have an epi with DD and did not have a catheter. Oddly, I don't remember having to pee much while in labor (I obviously must have though, especially having an IV), but I do recall having to pee SO badly right after she was out and they stitched me up...had to wait for the nurse to go with me so she could check the toilet for clots, etc. I seriously was this.close to wetting myself.

lp0 · December 2013

With DS I had an epi can they had to insert the catheter once to drain my bladder because it was so full that DS couldn't drop. This time DD came so fast and unexpected that there was no time for the epi and they didn't mention a catheter at all.