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Original poster

Catheter After Birth Please Read

26 replies

sm1984 · 13/10/2020 09:20

Hi, I had my son Friday he was big 9lb 6oz, they did an in our catheter as thought bladder was hindering labour and barely anything came out. Following delivery they then drained 1900ml and have said guidelines now are I need to have a catheter in at home for 2 weeks before going back to gynaecology to have it removed and a twoc ( trial without catheter done) I hate the catheter it’s really hindering me even though is a leg bag one. Has anyone had similar I’m really worried this is going to be permanent! Thanks

OP posts:
Dowser · 13/10/2020 09:28

It’s very easy to remove a cath with a syringe.
Just stick it in the valve and allow the water to drain into its tube

If you can empty your bladder as normal, then I can’t see a problem.
Just be sure to drink pLenty of water.
If you’re having a problems give it a good wash with soap and water or sterilise it in Milton and reuse
No doubt you only have one.
There’s loads of videos on YouTube how to do it.

Sunnydaysstillhere · 13/10/2020 09:33

After a fast labour (2 hours), my bladder suffered trauma.. I had to self catheterise at home for a year. Wasn't anywhere near as bad as I thought... I was on a week with a catheter in like you, shown how to do it and went home when ds was a week old. No issue with the next dc less than 2 years later.

Mydogisagentleman · 13/10/2020 09:36

Make sure you find out how to clamp and release it.
I had a longish term (3 weeks) catheter and still have urge incontinence

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AndWhat · 13/10/2020 09:45

Definitely do not remove yourself or reuse it Shock sure fire way to give yourself sepsis!!

Your bladder can sometimes need a bit of recovery time following some trauma. If you had no urinary problems before there’s every reason to believe your twoc will go smoothly.

whatsthestoryinbalamory · 13/10/2020 09:48

I self catheterise (permanent), have had dozens of bags as well .

I’m not sure if the aim is to give your bladder a rest and keep it empty but I’m guessing not - it might help to ask if you can get a flip flo, that’s like a small tap instead of having a bag . Allows your bladder to still fill, promotes normal contraction of the bladder muscle and you’re not needing to drag around a bag constantly . You just need to remember to empty it eg six-eight times a day .

If you do keep the bag and can’t get a flip flo instead, worth trying to strap the bag at a level that’s more comfortable - sometimes too low or too high and it can hurt more . You can get a stat lock online that will hold the tube much more firmly in place . Can get more discreet sleeves and all sorts too but maybe not worth it if you’re only facing two weeks.

Also I find it so much comfier at night or when on sofa to not place the catheter on a stand or strap - less pulling, less painful just to lie it flat on the bed or floor - but am always told off for that in hospital ...

Plus I found stuff like going out for walks absolutely hell . Supposedly you can do all manner with an indwelling catheter in place - I remember one nurse telling me you can even bungee jump, but I found having a bad hellish painful and considering you’ve just given birth too you’re more than entitled to sit on the sofa having new baby snuggles ...

Make sure you drink plenty too . You can bath with them in (unless you’ve been told not to for other reasons) .

whatsthestoryinbalamory · 13/10/2020 09:51

And yes - please don’t remove and wash with anything (as per previous posts) . I’m trained to catheterise myself but that’s an altogether different thing from using a (longer) catheter with a balloon attached . If you did it wrong you can cause all manner of injury to your bladder/urethra not to mention infection .

You can wash in the bath with normal soap and water (gently), that would be enough to keep it clean .

Weenurse · 13/10/2020 09:58

You have had an over stretch injury that usually takes 1-2 weeks to resolve.
Your bladder has stretched, like a day old balloon after a party, so there is no strength in the bladder to push the urine out.
The catheter keeps the bladder empty to allow for the bladder muscle to get the strength back as it shrinks back down.
Very occasionally we need to teach intermittent catheterisation after the catheter is removed. That is usually short term only.

MaudTheInvincible · 13/10/2020 10:02

I had to have a catheter in for 10 days, the twoc went well and once it was removed that was the end of it for me. I hope yours goes well too Thanks

goldopals · 13/10/2020 10:05

I had one for two weeks after birth and it was horrible. They were meant to leave a catheter in overnight after I gave birth but didn't so after the emptied it they got one litre.

Original poster
sm1984 · 13/10/2020 10:20

Thank you, I really hope so. I’m so anxious that this will be a permanent thing.

OP posts:
Original poster
sm1984 · 13/10/2020 10:22

Thank you, yeah it’s made to seem like you can just get on as normal but you can’t. When I walk only around the house I can feel it slipping and not easy looking after a new born at the same time.

OP posts:
Dowermouse · 13/10/2020 10:42

No direct experience, although needed several in-out catheters during labour, but just wanted to wish you well and hope for a speedy recovery Flowers

Original poster
sm1984 · 13/10/2020 11:00

Thank you 😊

OP posts:
AsMuchUseAsAMarzipanDildo · 13/10/2020 11:02

As others have said, it’s intended as a temporary measure until your bladder gets some “tone” (muscle strength) back. PLEASE PLEASE don’t remove and reinsert it yourself. There are some circumstances where self-catheterisation is needed - this isn’t one of them. The overwhelming likelihood is you’ll have it taken out in a fortnight without any issues. If it really feels uncomfortable, contact your midwife.

CaptainCaveMum · 13/10/2020 11:10

@sm1984

Hi, I had my son Friday he was big 9lb 6oz, they did an in our catheter as thought bladder was hindering labour and barely anything came out. Following delivery they then drained 1900ml and have said guidelines now are I need to have a catheter in at home for 2 weeks before going back to gynaecology to have it removed and a twoc ( trial without catheter done) I hate the catheter it’s really hindering me even though is a leg bag one. Has anyone had similar I’m really worried this is going to be permanent! Thanks
Wow I could have written this a few years ago @sm1984

Same baby weight. Same issue. Hated the catheter but after 2 anxious uncomfortable weeks my urodynamics were tested and everything was healed and working fine. This is much more common than FTMs are told but generally it is temporary. Fingers crossed it goes the same way for you. Flowers

Original poster
sm1984 · 13/10/2020 11:10

Thank you, no I wouldn’t remove it. I’m just getting myself so anxious that I won’t be normal again 😓

OP posts:
foodtoorder · 13/10/2020 11:12

Ask for a flip flow valve rather than a bag.
Some trauma is normal after birth, it's not uncommon just not always talked about.

Original poster
sm1984 · 13/10/2020 11:16

Thank you, having the bag and a newborn especially at night when having to carry a night bag around just makes it so difficult I’m desperate to walk and pick my other son up from school. Anything that makes it easier if can’t get rid of it completely at my next Appt would help. Hopefully my hospital offers all these things

OP posts:
Emmasims2 · 07/02/2021 08:47

I have currently got the same issue but catheter has been in for three weeks now after two failed TWOCs. Are you all resolved now? Again I’m worried I will have a catheter for life and juggling with a newborn isn’t hard

OhToBeASeahorse · 07/02/2021 09:20

I've no experience with the catheter but I also had post partum complications - they feel like the end of the world at the time but they do usually get better x

LouiseS05 · 25/02/2024 17:16

sm1984 · 13/10/2020 09:20

Hi, I had my son Friday he was big 9lb 6oz, they did an in our catheter as thought bladder was hindering labour and barely anything came out. Following delivery they then drained 1900ml and have said guidelines now are I need to have a catheter in at home for 2 weeks before going back to gynaecology to have it removed and a twoc ( trial without catheter done) I hate the catheter it’s really hindering me even though is a leg bag one. Has anyone had similar I’m really worried this is going to be permanent! Thanks

Hello, I just wondered how things went & if they resolved? Currently have a catheter and had a failed TWOC 😟
Thank you x

Serencwtch · 25/02/2024 17:52

Ask if you can have a tap rather than leg bag so there's a small tube (that fits in your knickers) and you turn the valve to release the urine. Its really discrete & you hardly notice it. It also helps retain normal bladder sensation.

It definitely won't be a permanent thing as it's very easy to learn intermittent self catheterization (the in out ones) so even if it's not back to normal at the TWOC you won't be left with an indwelling catheter

I have to self catheterize twice a day (as do many people for different reasons) I don't see it as any different to using tampons.

The vast majority of women go back to normal following child birth so try not to worry.

Serencwtch · 25/02/2024 17:58

LouiseS05 · 25/02/2024 17:16

Hello, I just wondered how things went & if they resolved? Currently have a catheter and had a failed TWOC 😟
Thank you x

Show quote history

I'm not the OP but been through the same. Happy to answer any questions .

LouiseS05 · 25/02/2024 18:10

Serencwtch · 25/02/2024 17:52

Ask if you can have a tap rather than leg bag so there's a small tube (that fits in your knickers) and you turn the valve to release the urine. Its really discrete & you hardly notice it. It also helps retain normal bladder sensation.

It definitely won't be a permanent thing as it's very easy to learn intermittent self catheterization (the in out ones) so even if it's not back to normal at the TWOC you won't be left with an indwelling catheter

I have to self catheterize twice a day (as do many people for different reasons) I don't see it as any different to using tampons.

The vast majority of women go back to normal following child birth so try not to worry.

Thank you this is really reassuring!
It's the fear that it won't go back to normal. Do you have to catheterise following child birth?

Xx

Serencwtch · 25/02/2024 19:42

LouiseS05 · 25/02/2024 18:10

Thank you this is really reassuring!
It's the fear that it won't go back to normal. Do you have to catheterise following child birth?

Xx

Show quote history

Mine was nerve damage not related to child birth. It's common to have retention problems following any surgery most of the time it resolved.
I felt sick at the thought of catheterization every day but now don't think about it at all. It was more a relief to be free of the indwelling catheters, retention, infection etc .
Anxiety also makes retention worse so try not to worry. Most likely you will completely go back to normal & worst case intermittent self catheterization (ISC) is actually really easy. They don't look anything like the hospital ones .