Unable to wee during last labour - will it happen again?

[PutThatInYourPipeandSmokeIt]

I have a DD and am PG again and starting to think about the birth . I had no urge to wee last time and from frist twinge to delivery, it was 12 hours. My bladder was so full that it stopped the placenta from coming out and despite trying very hard, I had urine retention and had to be catheterised. Has anyone else had this and did it happen again?

[Aero]

I had to be catheterised too for my first birth, but tbh, I didn't really notice it happening. The midwife assured me my bladder was full and I needed to wee. I assured her I did not. She was right! I was astounded. It wasn't painful though (not compared to labour anyway), so I didn't really worry about it second time round and it didn't happen again anyway. Third time I gave birth at home and again, no need for catheter.

I wouldn't worry too much about this at this stage, but mention it to your midwife next time you see her and I'm sure she'll reassure you.

[SlightlyMadSweet]

Yes

aand

Yes...

First time unexpected labour (27wks) so strapped to bed and weeing was the last thing on my mind. Retained placenta (although it was still firmly embedded to my uterus because it was still trying to function at 27wks). They drained 2litres of urine in teh 2hrs after I delivered babys & placenta. Cathether left in place for a couple of days and I was fine.

Second time. Mad an effort to go wee regularly - which was fine - but stopped about 4hrs before birth as contractions got so intense and long that I didn't want/think about going to teh loo. PLacenta delivered fine but 4hrs after birth I still hadn't wee'd despite trying my hardest and had to have nearly 1litre of urine drained with an in and out catheter. For a couple of days iI had to consciousely force myself to wee - but otherwise fine.

[WombFor1More]

I had this with my 1st. I was telling the mw I needed to go but couldn't and she wouldn't believe me. In the end I was catheterised and only then she believed me!

2nd and 3rd times were fine though and as they say, every birth is different. Good luck though and hope it's more straight forward this time.

[fledtoscotland]

i was catheterized when i had DS but i had a very medical birth as nothing went according to plan. also was being sick with every contraction so they were monitoring my fluid output and intake. am hopeing this time around will be a bit more natural but tbh i wasnt really aware of much last time so it didnt hurt or anything.

[middymee]

SlightlyMadSweet....the maximum capacity of your bladder is 500ml! You received sub-standard care!! Ladies...PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE make sure your midwife is watching your urine output during delivery! Bladder care during labour is soooooo important, if your bladder is full it can stop descent of the head and the baby's head can SERIOUSLY damage your bladder.

[SlightlyMadSweet]

middymee.

I should have made it clear that with DTDs they didn't drain 2l in 1 go.

I had ~800ml drained after delivering babies with an in and out catheter. I then had a proper catheter put in in theatre (for retained placenta) which drained the rest.