Retained urine after childbirth

[AnnaK]

After ds was born (9lbs) I suffered, and still do, from retained urine in that I often get the urge and then have to sit for ages before anything comes out. I am now pg again (ds is 19 months) and I have been told by the midwife that I need to get it seen to. How serious is this? Is the 'seeing to' unpleasant and what does it consist of? Any advice... please...

god I had this after ds1 but only for about a week. it was so frustrating. poor you, no advice I'm afraid, but sympathy!

he was 9lbs5, do you think that was why? never thought about it before...
no problems after the last one (8lbs 9), lets hope this next one is smaller too then

I went to see the GP whose response was He didn't understand how something like this could physically happent to a woman, it usually occurred in men with prostate problems.
Not helping!!

I had this for about a day after DS was born, which I think can be quite common.

No idea otherwise though, but bumping for you in case Mears or anyone who knows more than your GP(!) is here tonight.

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had a similar problem when was 14 weeks pregnant and my womb had turned - spun right round and stretched my bladder. I needed a catheter for about 2 weeks until they discovered what the problem was. Once they turned my womb bladder returned to normal but had to take antiboirics as risk of infection. Maybe your womb has tilted?

Don't know what the treatment would be Anna, but as someone who use to have recurrent infections (for a completly different reason) I would suggest that any treatment would be preferable to risking infections. Hope it works out for you.

I had this once when I was having my period - first day, v heavy - nearly crying with pain as desperately needed to go but couldnt. In the end I had to call dh to help me off the loo and tried again about 20 mins later. Doesnt your womb drop a bit which could cause an obstruction albeit temp. You had quite a heavy baby so maybe worth keeping up with pelvic floor exercise (as well as seeing midwife/doc)

I would ask to be referred to a urologist. They are more likely to treat the problem than your obstetrician. They may perform a cystoscopy under a light general anaesthetic which is quick & is only slightly uncomfortable afterwards. However, as it's not a lifesaving procedure, they are unlikely to give you a GA whilst pg. It's still worth seeing a urologist anyway. HTH

Thanks everyone. Will speak to the consultant when I go in for my 20 week scan and see what happens. Tilting womb...? Must do more pelvic floor exercises!!