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Childbirth

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

Original poster

C section catheter

61 replies

Novella12 · 15/10/2022 12:42

It's looking very likely that I'll be having a c section as my little girl is stubbornly breech. I'm trying to prepare myself as much as possible for it (want it to be as calm as possible and hate the unknown) so I've been reading as much as I can about the procedure.

One thing I can't picture is the catheter. Where does it go in and how does it come out??

OP posts:
cookiecreammmpie · 15/10/2022 13:11

I've had four sections. You won't feel the catheter going in but might feel it coming out. It's not painful, just a bit uncomfortable but it's over very quick. With my third baby I had to keep my catheter in for 2 days which was a pain in the arse, because they scratched my bladder slightly and wanted it to rest. Usually they take it out after a few hours when you're about to get up and mobile.

blebbleb · 15/10/2022 13:12

I had mine in for several days as I had litres of fluid in me due to preeclampsia. Mine was attached to a massive plastic box. Sounds a bit gross but it was satisfying to see how much was coming out. My husband couldn't believe it! Different situation though.

Original poster
Novella12 · 15/10/2022 13:19

Thanks everyone, you've all been so helpful. Feeling much more relaxed about it now!

OP posts:
WaltzingWaters · 15/10/2022 13:20

dried Apricots really helped me with the first poo.
the catheter was fine, didn’t hurt at all.

PrueHalliwell · 15/10/2022 13:21

It's really not bad - the worst thing I found was trying to have a wee after it was removed, I just couldn't for hours after and they nearly had to put it back in but luckily o managed to wee before that happened - the post poo wasn't bad either because sorry for TMI but it was soft, I don't know why but it came out fine (sorry for tmi but it might help)

mondaytosunday · 15/10/2022 13:26

You won't feel it going in. When they take it out it's a little uncomfortable but just a split second.

CookPassBabtridge · 15/10/2022 13:33

I had to look after my baby as soon as I was out of recovery, it was very hard but having to get myself up made recovery faster.. moving my body and being able to get rid of the painful trapped wind etc.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 15/10/2022 13:50

I've had 2 cs. The catheter is about the least concerning bit!

Sparklythings1 · 15/10/2022 16:06

Honestly it was the best experience ever. The catheter and the spinal I had really got myself worked up over. They were both completely fine! I had the spinal then while lying down the nurse asked the doctors if I was ready to have the catheter, they said yes, she reached under the sheet I had over my lower half and put it in really quickly. Where it actually goes in I have no clue 🤣 I was really dreading that bit but it really didn’t feel like anything at all, maybe just a bit of pressure. Then after that you’re in bed until you get up to check if you can walk, at that point or a few hours after they will take your catheter out. I dreaded that as well since I was no longer numb but she just went under the blanket and pulled it out, I remember expecting it to hurt then it didn’t so it obviously wasn’t sore. The cannula in your hand in the only bit that nips!

Sparklythings1 · 15/10/2022 16:09

I would agree with above comments about not being able to wee when it comes out. I had tried and tried. I’d read a comment that says if you can’t go you should stand up and sit down again. It’s like a mind over matter thing. I had to pee in one of those paper sick bowls and they needed so much before you were ready to go home. I would say drink a lot while the catheter is still in and itl reduce your chances of a uti as well

OverArmour · 15/10/2022 16:13

I didn’t have any help with any nappy changes any of the times, would have been nice! My advice is put the things you need for the changes in a plastic bag so you can easily pull it all towards you when you need it. Baby will be on your lap. Same for snacks and with a bottle of water / drinks in there in case you can’t reach your table water.

Yes, the catheter is quite nice, one less thing to deal
with!

OliveOyl321 · 15/10/2022 16:26

I had a section with my second child because he was breech. Catheter went in as part of surgery prep so I didn’t notice. When it was removed I had 12 hours to pee and collect the output. Like PP said I actually found this the hardest. Whether it was due to numbness or too much focus on it, I couldn’t go and ended up having to have it reinserted. That was hard (sore because I wasn’t numbed but also very annoying!)

I felt like I needed to go but nothing was happening.
I peed when it came out straight away.

This made me very conscious of it for my third baby. I almost had the same thing happen again but the midwife said to go and have a shower and pee there if I could. I said I’d give the toilet one last shot without the measuring jug before and it worked. I was delighted! Not sure if it was psychological or physiological! She said peeing into the container was a factor.

I didn’t have any issues with poo really, worse after natural birth. Like a PP advised, holding the pad to your wound helps.

As for minding baby. I hated pressing the buzzer so I kept the crib beside the bed and worked out my own method for taking them out.

Good luck!! It’s all worth it when you have bubs

MrsSamR · 15/10/2022 17:51

I was actually a bit gutted when they took my catheter out after my c-section as I had to get up and walk to the loo myself!

Newuser82 · 15/10/2022 17:52

MrsSamR · 15/10/2022 17:51

I was actually a bit gutted when they took my catheter out after my c-section as I had to get up and walk to the loo myself!

😂. Me too!!

Nat6999 · 15/10/2022 18:48

I had mine in 3 days as I was in HDU, they didn't stop myepidural for 36 hours afterwards to try & keep my BP down & for pain relief as I was so poorly.

MummyJ36 · 15/10/2022 20:07

I had an ELCS very recently and remember looking down momentarily before they put the sheet up and saw a doctor/midwife going to insert the catheter. It was actually quite amusing, such a bizarre situ seeing someone casually spreading your legs when you can’t feel them! I had it in for 24 hours and was very grateful as I absolutely didn’t want to get up in that time. It was fine and when they took it out it kind of felt like a balloon coming out? Bit odd but so quick and I weed afterwards no problem.
I did a poo within 48 hours too. I was given regular lactulose before and after so do ask for this if they don’t give you it. The midwife said it’s important not to force out the first poo after a c-section. Wait until you’re basically on the verge of crapping yourself and then just let it slide out 😂Not glamorous but I genuinely found it fine! If it’s coming it’s coming !!

ShowOfHands · 15/10/2022 20:14

Drbrowns · 15/10/2022 13:05

No you have to stay in bed. If you need help to lift the baby to feed, you ring the bell and a midwife or care assistant comes to help.

I had my catheter out 3hrs post surgery and was up and out of bed at the same point. Went for a shower in fact. I was only in bed to sleep. I went home the following morning (DC born late evening).

You won't necessarily be bed bound and tbh, getting up asap will aid recovery.

otherusername · 15/10/2022 20:21

I had my section at 11am and by the time visiting hours ended I was able to get out of bed myself and change nappies in the little box/crib thing babies have in hospital. Hopefully you can manage by yourself but if not just buzz the staff to help you.

ChickpeaPie · 15/10/2022 20:23

Stool softeners aren’t routinely given so you’ll need to ask for them. You won’t be given them to go home with as that would be a massive resource for the nhs, same with pain relief. The only thing we routinely send you home with is clexane injections. Everything else you need to buy yourself

KitchenSupper · 15/10/2022 20:26

The bladder issues can be a post-partum thing rather than a specifically post-section thing. It takes a while for your insides to settle down somehow.
Don’t worry too much about pooing, mine couldn’t have been more normal post-section. It’s not inevitable.

WalkingOnMarshmallow · 15/10/2022 20:32

Mine was very painful to insert, hurt while it was there (for several days) and blood came out when they took it out. I think the nurse who inserted it didn't do it properly...

jd88123 · 15/10/2022 20:39

First poo after vaginal birth is way worse!!

oopsnowits4 · 15/10/2022 20:41

You can buy lactulose over the counter at any chemist so you can get it in advance. Not expensive. Worth doing for convenience of having it when you need it.

surreygirl1987 · 15/10/2022 20:53

It didn't feel weird urinating in my experience. It's the first poo after a c-section that is horrific.

Just to add, you might not find this. My first poo after my first (vaginal) birth was indeed horrific. But my first poo after c section was absolutely fine. I'd learned from the first time and taken loads of laculose and also drank a ton of peppermint tea (helps wind) and also had a step in bathroom to put my feet on (can't remember why helped but did) - oh and drank so much water, constantly.

The catheter was fine. Mine kept completely filling though (was on SO much water!). Doing first wee after c section was fine in itself, but walking to the toilet was probably the most painful thing I've ever experienced, and following my epic wee (biggest one I've ever done - filled up one of those cardboard things they put in the toilet to make sure you're doing enough so had to whip it out to stop it from overflowing), I very nearly fainted. Prepare to feel pretty awful and weak when the painkillers staet wearing off- but honestly it's fine. I much preferred my c section birth to my vaginal birth. Recovery was slower and more painful, but was fine and SO worth it (my baby was breech as well as enormous!).

Remember to buzz as much as it takes when you need help from a midwife- you won't be able to look after the baby on your own. You really are incapacitated.

surreygirl1987 · 15/10/2022 20:54

First poo after vaginal birth is way worse!

Yup!