Please can someone reassure me?

[Worriedaboutwee]

I have lurked throughout my pregnancy and found loads of useful advice on here. I have registered to post this as I could really do with some more advice if anyone can help.

I had my second baby on Monday, second degree tear and some grazing but nothing serious. I had an epidural so was catheterised which was removed about 12 hours after delivery. I felt the need to wee but it physically wouldn't come out so after 8 hours I was re-catheterised for 24 hours to give my bladder a rest.

When that catheter came out I had the same problem, I needed to wee badly it just felt like the hole has closed up and it won't come out! My hospitals post natal ward is horrific I hated being there so the dr let me come home with a 7 day catheter on Wednesday night.

I am doing ok with the catheter at home but am worried sick about what will happen when it's removed on Wednesday. What will happen if I still can't wee?! My depression and anxiety won't cope with being re-admitted to hospital, I was on the edge after just 2 nights there.

Has anyone had a similar experience and can you tell me what happened if you were still struggling after the catheter was removed?

It was probably bruising and swelling that stopped normal service being resumed after the catheter was taken out last time. After another week I'm sure you'll be ok.

Are you having salty baths to help healing? Also get as much rest and sleep as you can (I know, not easy!) but do keep moving around and doing gentle amounts of walking (round the house, short distances). That should all help healing.

Congratulations on your new baby

Congratulations!
I work in this field so hope I can reassure you.
This is more common than you would expect and it is highly likely that when you have your TWOC (trial without catheter) everything will be fine.
If you still can't wee you may be taught how to catheterise yourself with a single use little catheter. This is called intermittent self catheterisation, ISC.

It is a really simple procedure and doesn't hurt. You do it several times a day. This may be a permanent thing it may not. Your nurse will advise you. There are loads available. If you look at Coloplast, Lofric, and Rochester websites you can see what they are like. They are very discreet, some the size of a lipstick.

It would be worth calling the ward and asking if they think a flip flow valve would be appropriate if you don't have one. I presume you are draining into a bag non stop? A valve shuts off the free flow process and allows your bladder to fill and expand as normal and you open the valve to then drain your bladder allowing the muscle to work as it would without a catheter in situ which is best practice in most cases.

Good luck

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. They have fitted me with a flip flow at the min and I just empty my bladder when I feel I need to go so the sensation is all ok so far. I have had a bit of blood in my wee this afternoon, nhs website says this is common but I will keep an eye on it and ring the ward if it gets any worse I think

Maybe too simplistic for your situation, but I was advised to lean forwards when trying to wee after catheter removal.

Will certainly give it a go when it's removed, thanks for the tip

Having the cold tap slightly running helped me wee into a bedpan which I was having trouble doing!

I know that is nothing like your problem, but may help a bit.

Best wishes to you.