C-section inquiry

snowbabies1012 · February 2017

Doctor says I'll likely have a scheduled C-section because we're having twins. I was reading a little bit about the post-op care and how they give the mothers catheters. Is it possible to refuse this?

I mean, I refuse it regardless but I'm curious if that's something I would have to argue with the doctors over. Any personal experiences?

(I'm terrified of catheters in case that wasn't clear)

DDRGirlie · February 2017

I guess it depends on the hospital's policies. Many hospitals have moved away from catheters because if the patient gets an infection, the insurance companies will not pay the hospital for that patient's care. I know if we do put a catheter in it does not stay in, it is just to empty the bladder before the procedure. And that is usually if the mom has had an epidural before the c-section. Again, this is just one humble nurse's perspective from one particular hospital.

Lauradi1010 · February 2017

You should talk with you doctor or get a second opinion if you feel it isn't necessary. For what medical reason is your C-section needed? I definitely discuss pros and cons with a medical professional. I know a few people who have had twins and haven't needed a C-section.

SouthernMama15 · February 2017

I had a c section and they put the catheter in pre-op and I had it in till the next morning when they took the epidural out. I got my morphine through the epidural. You can't walk for a bit with the epidural, so you have to have the catheter to empty your bladder.

hupp0013 · February 2017

I also have had 2 c sections. I have had a catheter both times. The most uncomfortable part was getting it put in from what I remember anyway. Like @SouthernMama15, I also had it in until the next morning.

OTmom3 · February 2017

I had a catheter with my c-section but I really think they took it out later that day. She was born at 2am, and I feel like I had the catheter out by afternoon. I'm not 100% though.

Delphianraven · February 2017

What part of it scares you? I was really upset last birth when I had to have one. It wasn't near as uncomfortable as I thought it would be and didn't notice it after a time. It didn't hurt getting it in either.

PinkPrincessPiper · February 2017

This will be my 4th c-section. I've had a catheter each time, but only for about 24 hours. I've been medicated each time during placement & removal, so I had no problems with it (zero pain/discomfort).

I would suggest researching your hospital's policies. Good luck.

Lauradi1010 · February 2017

Btw, I am terrified of catheters, needles, IVs, etc. I ended up having a C-section (emergency type situation) for my so s birth. I can honestly say the catheter wasn't terrible.

snowbabies1012 · February 2017

I'm considered high risk because I'm carrying multiples and hopefully I can just have them naturally but who knows. I simply cannot get over my fear of catheters and I don't plan to. I guess I'm just freaking myself out!

brookeelyse527 · February 2017

I had an epidural and the straight cathed me during labor to empty my bladder. I guess because I couldn't feel my full bladder and couldn't walk, I had to have it done. Distended bladders can be dangerous. I didn't ask any questions because I'm a nurse and know it's often medically needed and will do what's recommended by providers. Not relevant but after birth while I was being stitched up, I was incontinent and it felt like I would never stop peeing, I was embarrassed lol
For what it's worth, I am told being cathed is uncomfortable, not necessarily painful. It definitely won't be the worst experience of your life.

taylormarie923 · February 2017

I'm pretty sure I was cathed before my vaginal delivery for the same reasons already mentioned. I would discuss further with your doctor about the need for scheduled C-sec. From everything I am reading, twin births only require a c-sec off the bat if both babies are breech or transverse. It is common practice to perform vaginal delivery in the OR just in case baby B needs to be removed quickly via Cesarean. But often times, both babies can be successfully delivered vaginally.

mamaof2hopefully · February 2017

I don't think it's something you can choose not to do with a csection. You have no feeling therefore your body cannot tell you your bladder is full and can rupture causing a much bigger issue. Not to mention you won't be able to get up and walk for hours after your csection. I am assuming this is fear of the unknown? But considering everything else that goes on with a birth and a csection a catheter would be the least of my concerns

Nxy · February 2017

I think it's pretty standard practice if you have any drugs that stop you from feeling your bladder. I had one when I got my epidural because I couldn't get up to pee and I couldn't tell my bladder was full. They had me go pee before they did up the epi so I was numb when they put in the catheter, didn't feel a thing.
I agree with the previous posts. If your doctor is pushing for a c-section just because you're having twins I'd push back. I know several moms of twins who delivered vaginally. If they have some legitimate concerns then obviously that's a different conversation.

dmbfan46835 · February 2017

Agree with previous posters that it's medically necessary during a c section and some time during immediate recovery. I also was cathed for my vaginal birth. It wasn't bad at all. I didn't even notice it was there to be honest. And they pumped me so full of fluids that I couldn't imagine not being cathed during the labor process. I recommend doing some homework on it. But not Dr Google

maybe you will feel more at ease with the process then.

a2003tiger · February 2017

You are talking urinary Catheter, not IV catheter, right? I doubt you'd want to refuse it. You won't be able to get out of bed initially to empty your bladder and it would get extremely uncomfortable, especially since you'll be getting IV fluids.

You dont have to necessarily have a csection just because it's twins. Maybe that's something you should research and talk to your doctor about first.

bumpybump · February 2017

I 100% agree with what @mamaof2hopefully said. Catheters are not the worst thing in the world. I'd rather have one in than pee myself and the doctors/nurses.

FWIW, I spend a lot of my younger years with bladder issues that required eventual surgery to correct. I was getting catheters during every doctor's visit for X-rays and such (for over three years). It wasn't a pleasant experience but it wasn't the end of the world either.

middy411 · February 2017

I didn't feel the catheter at all. I was worried it would be painful but I was already on medication and numb when they did it. I probably wouldn't have known if they didn't tell me. Then when they took it out I was nervous again and one little painless yank later, it was all done lol (in my memory). The nurse neglected to inform me that if I didn't pee enough into this little bucket in the toilet, they were going to put it back in. So before my deadline I was guzzling water and having DH escort me to the restroom so I could pee my brains out. Not sure how they could tell I peed enough since probably half of the bucket was full of... other fluids. Lol but it wasn't bad at all and I was afraid of that!

neludelu · February 2017

I'm a lurker from June 16. I had a csection and trust me the cath is the least of your worries. I didn't even realize I was getting one.

taylormarie923 · February 2017

I had to sit and think really hard about if I had a catheter in place or not. I do remember my husband making a 5yo joke about seeing my pee so I know I had one, but aside from that I don't remember a thing about it. There's nothing quite like the pain of contractions to make you not care about anything else in the world but getting through the next wave.

SouthernMama15 · February 2017

Lauradi1010 said:

Btw, I am terrified of catheters, needles, IVs, etc. I ended up having a C-section (emergency type situation) for my so s birth. I can honestly say the catheter wasn't terrible.

Stuck in box:

I'm not scared of these things, but I definitely did not want an epidural or catheter. When I found out that ds was breech and I needed a c section I was devastated. It wasn't bad, though. I know it sounds cliche, but in the long run, healthy babies and Mamas are the only thing that matter.

MetsGirl18 · February 2017

I had a catheter both times. The first time, I had the epidural in already and couldn't feel anything. The second time, it was slightly uncomfortable. The catheter was removed later that day when I went to the bathroom for the first time. I'm not sure how you could refuse it when you can't feel anything and will need to empty your bladder.

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