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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Catheters during labour - does it hurt?

33 replies

ParisPreMom · 14/05/2011 15:13

Hi everyone,

I'm doing my prenatal classes at the moment at the British Hospital here in Paris where I live, and the midwife doing the class says that they empty our bladders with a catheter systematically when we arrive in the birthing room, when we get an epidural, and on a regular basis throughout the delivery (to prevent the bladder from getting in the way when baby comes out).

At an epidural information session, the anesthesiologist mentioned the same thing but said we're given a pan to try to pee in and if we CAN'T then they use a catheter.

From how they describe it, it doesn't seem to be the same kind of catheter you have for a c-section, which stays in place.

For some reason, the idea of a catheter freaks me out more than giving birth! and I was wondering if it hurt - what are people's experiences with this?
Thanks in advance!

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OppositeOfBlooming · 14/05/2011 15:16

I'd refuse personally. Presumably they can't force you?

I had a catheter through necessity when in labour with dd and it didn't hurt a bit but I still wouldn't accept it as routine.

Georgimama · 14/05/2011 15:16

I don't think they are likely to insert catheter, empty bladder, remove catheter, empty bladder, remove catheter etc etc three or four times. Seems rather pointlessly involved.

I haven't had a catheter in childbirth but I have had one and they don't hurt either to be inserted or removed. Once in you aren't aware of it at all unless the bag starts to get full and then your bladder starts to fill up and you feel like you need to wee. Of course you are weeing continually.

ng1412 · 14/05/2011 15:34

I have had one in childbirth and it bloody hurt to insert it. Once it's in of course there is no problem....

LostInTransmogrification · 14/05/2011 15:43

I had one (there was so much going on down there I couldn't work my wee muscles and was also in no state to waddle down the corridor to the nearest loo) and it didn't hurt.

Ushy · 14/05/2011 15:47

This isn't UK practice and not in NICE guidance - catheters only used if the woman cannot go to the loo afterwards. Nothing to do with the bladder getting in the way - it is to prevent the bladder getting overextended and causing pee problems later on. Catheters sometimes have to be used for this reason whether or not you have an epidural. If it is a practice in Paris, why not ask for it to be placed AFTER the epidural is set up.

RitaMorgan · 14/05/2011 15:49

I had one because of an epidural, so I didn't feel it.

I think I'd refuse one routinely unless there's a specific need.

Plasticandpaste · 14/05/2011 15:50

This will probably be the least of your worries at the time! So don't worry now. You may even appreciate it's there directly after birth, as it can really hurt to wee at first, and you'll have had quite enough of pain, thank you.

supadupapupascupa · 14/05/2011 15:52

i had one because i tore near the spot you pee from and they thought it would be very painful.

i had had an epidural so didn't feel it going in. was very apprehensive having it reoved, but they were quick and no, it didn't hurt

Georgimama · 14/05/2011 15:53

Actually they did say to me after having DS that if I hadn't peed within a certain timescale (5 hours? Can't remember) I would have to have a catheter put in.

ChunkyPickle · 14/05/2011 15:55

I had one with my epidural, so I have no idea if it hurt going in. I do know that after my EMCS I was very, very grateful to have it so wasn't desparate to get up to pee.

It didn't hurt coming out at all - in fact I could feel the nurses fingers, but not the catheter coming out.

I can't see why they'd increase the risk infection by putting it in (at all unless they had to) and taking it out repeatedly.

Why wouldn't they just ask you to go and pee? I was perfectly capable of waddling to the toilet (pausing for contractions) until I had the epidural..

LoveBeingAbleToNamechange · 14/05/2011 15:56

I was asked to wee and I just couldn't, I tried but couldn't seem to work right so they put on in, must admit like you it's always freaked me out. I did not feel a thing, and I had not had a epidural.

emsyj · 14/05/2011 17:11

They gave me one in theatre before I was knocked out (had very emergency c-section with general anaesthetic). I was fully conscious and had not been given any pain relief when they put it in and it didn't hurt at all. Didn't hurt when it was removed either.

stoatie · 14/05/2011 18:08

You can have "in/out" catheter passed- this is normally when concerned that you haven't passed urine for a while - which can cause bladder overextension. However if you are having an epidural, in the UK this is normally sited before the catheter insertion so you hopefully won't feel it (and it will remain in situ)

cece · 14/05/2011 18:13

What is wrong with just going to the loo?!

I had one with DC3 when he seemed a bit stuck at the final pushing stage and they thought it might be a full baldder. TBH I barely noticed it being used. Honestly don't worry about it...

HauntedLittleLunatic · 14/05/2011 18:14

I have had an "in/out" one twice, both times cos I couldn't wee after birth, once was because they thought that bladder distension could be blocking delivery of what what turned out to be a retained placenta, so I can see some logic to that.

However, if you can get to a toilet to keep your bladder empty regularly there is surely no need. Different if you have a epidural sited though cos you won't be able to sense when you need to go.

mousymouse · 14/05/2011 18:16

I had a catheter during birth and it didnt hurt at all. just a weird peeing sensation iyswim but no pain at all.
I also was asked to pee but couldnt (pushing stage) and dd was a big 9 pounds.

shmoz · 14/05/2011 18:20

Didn't feel it going in, was a nice sensation when the wee came out actually (mind you I was off my face on gas and air)

DooinMeCleanin · 14/05/2011 18:24

What shmoz said. I was adamant that I did not need the toilet. The midwife disagreed. I was wrong I blame the gas and air

Original poster

ParisPreMom · 15/05/2011 15:37

Thanks everyone for these reassuring posts!

OP posts:

aliceliddell · 15/05/2011 15:45

It has neverr hurt, but ALWAYS gave me bladder infections. If you're prone to UTI's, get some antibiotics prescribed before you have the catheter. If you're not prone, you'll be fine. Congratulations btw!

Poppet45 · 15/05/2011 20:25

I don't remember mine going in, and I didn't even notice I had one in for 24 hours. Had quite a surprise when I followed the tube.

NorthernGobshite · 15/05/2011 20:32

Don't remember it hurting but do remember being in agony from not being able to wee because dd was squashed onto my bladder. I felt so much relief once catheter was in, so try not to worry.

springbokscantjump · 15/05/2011 20:46

I (think) mine was placed after my epidural (put in by the most wonderful anaesthetist - first time, didn't hurt at all). TBH after the delivery in which I had episiotomy and forceps (unexpected large baby) I was so thankful for it as it meant I didn't have to get up to go pee. So although the feeling to my legs returned pretty rapidly and I could get up I was really really thankful I din't have to as it took me about 10 mins to get to the loo with dh in tow.

bilblio · 15/05/2011 20:59

I was hooked up to monitors during my first labour (DD's heart rate kept dropping) so I couldn't go to the toilet and they did an in/out catheter at least 3 times.
It felt a bit wierd the first time, but didn't hurt at all. I barely noticed it the 2nd and 3rd time I was too distracted by the contractions. :)

peachyuk · 16/05/2011 13:47

i had one, the only thing i can remember is them telling me how much they managed to get out lol

god bless gas and air

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