Can’t pee after birth

[Clothbum]

I had my second baby a week ago. It was a quick birth and the midwives were unable to put a catheter in before baby’s head was too low. As a result my bladder went into a kind of shock and I was unable too pee in the 24 hours after the birth.

I had a catheter fitted and left in place for 24 hours to try and rest my bladder however, this didn’t work and I was still unable to go. I had another catheter fitted and told to have it in place for just over a week. I’m due to go back to the hospital in a few days to have the catheter removed and I’m worried I’m still going to have issues with going to the loo. I must admit that the whole thing has started to get me down.

Has anyone else had this issue post birth? How long did it take before your bladder returned to normal function and you were able to have the catheter removed?

[PrettyPurse]

I have had two children and never had a catheter to drain my bladder prior to delivery.

Sorry l can't offer any advice

[AppropriateAdult]

It’s not too unusual, OP; I used to work in obstetrics and would have seen this happen to women post-partum. Had the opposite experience myself when, after having a catheter in for 24 hours, I was completely incontinent for the next three days I’d expect it will all settle down pretty quickly for you now.

[Amimissingsomethinghere]

Oh OP that sounds really horrid - poor you.

I had to have a catheter after my c section and it was taken out that day. Was sore but okay. I'm sure you'll be absolutely fine. Don't worry!! The more you worry the less likely you are to go. Sounds weird but when you try and go after removal try holding a very warm damp cloth over your vagina, the warmth can help stimulate you to pee and it may just help. Xxx

[whatswithtodaytoday]

When I had my c section my catheter was removed the same day. I could pee, but couldn't really control it and couldn't feel I needed to go at all. It gradually improved - I'd say at least 6 weeks to be back to normal. I hope it doesn't last too long for you. It seemed to be pretty common.

[Aquamarine1029]

Get peppermint oil and smell it while on the loo. It helps with release. Google it, it honestly works. One of my nurses had some after the birth of my first. I was having a terrible time urinating and she put some drops on a cotton pad for me to sniff. Worked like a charm.

[cookielove]

@PrettyPurse how is your comment at all helpful 🤨

@Clothbum i had a catheter put in as my ds was crushing my bladder and i was actually unable to wee for a period of time before his birth, i had in it for 4 days i think. I struggled slightly after it was removed but it all went back to normal in the end.

[Clothbum]

Thank you for sharing your experiences. I’m really hoping that when I go back to the hospital to have the catheter removed, things will be back to normal 🤞🏼

I’ll have a look into the peppermint oil. I’m willing to try anything if it means I don’t have to have a catheter any longer.

[blahblahblahblahhh]

This is my story exactly. Bladder retention! Awful!

[QforCucumber]

I had mine for about 6 days after birth, was a forceps delivery and I was apparently quite 'bruised' and didnt have the need to go sensation. Similar to you first one removed and I couldn't go, when they removed it I drank a jug of water and had to pee most of it out before I was allowed home. Was fine 2nd time round.

[Babyfg]

I had this too with my second- I was fine after the second catheter. I found it hard explaining why I was kept in to people as as far as I was aware I had a shocked bladder which does sound mad doesn't it?!

Actually (and I'm not sure if it's at all related but I feel it is) I don't have a weak bladder at all after two children and can do trampolines, don't have to cross my legs when I sneeze, etc. The only thing I've noticed (again I have no scientific answers but I feel its related) is I either need a wee or a don't, in the sense that before my second I would be like I need a wee but I can hold it until I get home or until this meeting is over etc, but now I'm like oooh I quite need a wee. But not in a way that it's a real inconvenience to my life.

[Ostanovka]

I had a catheter in for 10 days and had so many bladder scans. It was still difficult after that but got better. I was miserable about it too, as I didn't need something extra to worry about, and I hid it from my toddler. Just one of those things, try not to worry! Congratulations on your baby!

[Clothbum]

Thank you @QforCucumber, @Babyfg and @Ostanovka you’ve given me hope that I’ll be catheter free second time around 🤞🏼 It’s been quite hard on my toddler who loves to sit in my lap to watch tv and read books etc but hasn’t been able to because of the catheter. It’s amazing how quickly something like this can bring your mood down.

Here’s hoping for second time lucky!

[Winterdaysarehere]

Post speedy delivery-2 hours from being asleep to holding ds - I had to self catheterise for a year. Bladder returned to full ability after that. Never happened again after further births.

[OneHanded]

I remember not being able to go on the bed pan after a major accident despite being medicated enough to get up and onto it and being busting! It’s a horrible feeling like your brain is screaming JUST PEE ALREADY! but it’s not getting to the bladder - you have my sympathy on that one.
Shock of any kind and adrenaline cause that though, and after having the catheter in for a week, once I was on my feet it was fine. TMI but are you going to the loo for bm okay? That’s normally the only thing that can be a problem otherwise?

[MsChatterbox]

I went home with a cathetor too for the same reasoning. It was terrifying pushing to pee and nothing coming out. And then the pain of needing to pee and waiting for a cathetor to be put back in! If I remneber correctly it resolved itself on day 4.

[Inthemoment38]

OP here's my post birth catheter story (spoiler alert- it has a happy ending)

Planned C sec. Catheter put in before spinal block.
Catheter removed after 24hrs for "TWOC" (Trial Without Catheter)- I had to prove I could pee a certain amount into a cardboard bedpan within a certain timeframe, I think it was 6 hours.
I could not! All I could collect in the bedpan was blood from vagina.
Catheter put back in and not allowed home from hospital for another night.
Next day- TWOC 2. Could only produce a bit of wee. Midwives scanned my bladder with a mini scanner machine and were not fully convinced I was emptying enough although I was passing small amounts.
I begged to be allowed home, and they let me go home without a catheter- this was a mistake!
I had a horrid few days at home constantly feeling desperate for a wee but only able to wee tiny amounts. Tummy swelling up from massive bladder.
Eventually DP took me back to hospital on a Saturday night and a midwife scanned and found over a litre in my bladder! Catheterised me- oh the relief!
Then like with you they said keep it in for a week to give your bladder a proper rest and try the TWOC again. I spent all week thinking what if this is it now and I'm on a catheter and bag for life!
But after the week it was absolutely fine. As good as new. I am pretty certain this will happen with you. It's v common.