Uncatheterised C Section

[MumComingSoon]

Hello ladies, my husband and I are planning to try for a baby next year. I have some huge anxieties about birth, and as well as having a medical need, will be opting for an elective C sec. However, I suffer from persistent, horrendous, debilitating UTIs. I will not be able to have a catheter, due to this. Which I feel leaves me in a catch22 and I am getting extremely anxious and upset.

Has anyone had a similar experience to me? Are doctors understanding, and able to offer uncatheterised sections? Thank you everyone. Feeling completely full of nerves

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23132469/

With my 2nd emergency section they took the catheter out as soon as I got to the postnatal ward which was around six hours post surgery. I managed to go to the toilet absolutely fine as soon as I got the feeling in my legs back.

Ask your GP if you could be referred to discuss options with a consultant obstetrician before becoming pregnant?

I fully presumed I’d get a uti after my catheter from my c-section. I get them all the time and was actually dreading it more than the recovery 🤦🏼‍♀️ The worst thing I was imagining was that I thought you couldn’t have a bath after a c-section and a bath is all I want when I have a uti. Miraculously I was completely fine and didn’t get one! Is it possible they could still give you one or have you been told they can’t?

I think a conversation with your specialist, you said there was medical need for a c section, would be a good idea and then perhaps get a referral to someone who deals with birth phobia. It may be that natural birth is possible or they can insert a catheter safely- trust the medical professionals rather than guessing yourself

And forgot to say I have interstitial cystitis and multi resistant uti's (antibiotics don't work) - so had lots of other treatment for my uti's. I had 2 sections and like I mentioned, prophylactic antibiotics throughout pregnancy as well and no infection / flare up after delivery 😁

I have enquired about no catheter for various reasons and been told its a no go.

I would say though that I've never had a uti before and have had 5 whilst being pregnant.

Theyre pretty hot on testing and giving antibiotics as soon as needed if not before.

I have also had anxiety about my section and have been able to speak to really helpful consultants throughout

I would really think about speaking to someone about your anxieties so you don't miss out on having something you want

I have tokophobia (phobia of childbirth) and suffer frequent very bad UTIs. I had elective sections due to my phobia, and although i had UTIs during pregnancy, there were no issues with the catheter at all.

I didnt think is be able to have children, but I have two, and am not sure I'm done yet.

It very much sounds like you have tokophobia too - there are support groups for this on FB etc that can really help (and I know some women have asked for sections with no catheter - I cant remember what happened in the end though)