Catheterised following childbirth

LouiseS05 · 2024-02-24T21:16:32+00:00

Hello, I went into retention 3 days after childbirth- diagnosed with a UTI. I ended up with a catheter for one week and went for the TWOC today but unfortunately failed therefore I have now been referred to urology and have another catheter in place. Has anyone experienced something similar post birth? I just need some positive outcomes! The doctor told me today how "uncommon" it is... which just isn't what I wanted to hear. Thank you in advance x

Nmvasey85 · 26/02/2024 03:51

Hi

I had a similar situation. Gave birth and was struggling to urinate. They said this can be quite common as your bladder can go into shock. They put a catheter in to empty my bladder and my bladder had retained something like 3 times its capacity and they were worried I'd stretched it. I went home with a catheter and came back after a week, I too was still retaining too much fluid. I was sent home with a catheter for a further week and returned for another round of tests, I failed the first and passed the second so they allowed a third whereby I passed and the catheter was removed. I was terrified going home as they said I must ensure I empty my bladder, easier said than done when you can't see in there - I've had no issues since. Due to have my second baby this week and hoping I don't have a repeat experience.

They were saying if I'd failed that second round of tests the catheter would have been left in for 6 weeks. I don't know if it helped but I found drinking less water during the tests worked, rather than downing the whole jug.

Sorry this is happening to you, it really is stressful and not what you need with a newborn. I'd not heard about this issue before amongst my friends etc.

Original poster

LouiseS05 · 26/02/2024 05:08

Nmvasey85 · 26/02/2024 03:51

Hi

I had a similar situation. Gave birth and was struggling to urinate. They said this can be quite common as your bladder can go into shock. They put a catheter in to empty my bladder and my bladder had retained something like 3 times its capacity and they were worried I'd stretched it. I went home with a catheter and came back after a week, I too was still retaining too much fluid. I was sent home with a catheter for a further week and returned for another round of tests, I failed the first and passed the second so they allowed a third whereby I passed and the catheter was removed. I was terrified going home as they said I must ensure I empty my bladder, easier said than done when you can't see in there - I've had no issues since. Due to have my second baby this week and hoping I don't have a repeat experience.

They were saying if I'd failed that second round of tests the catheter would have been left in for 6 weeks. I don't know if it helped but I found drinking less water during the tests worked, rather than downing the whole jug.

Sorry this is happening to you, it really is stressful and not what you need with a newborn. I'd not heard about this issue before amongst my friends etc.

Thank you so much! It really is not spoken about enough.
& some clinicians also don't know enough about it either. Some specialist centres have information but still it's quite limited.

This has reassured me so much - I am waiting to find out when my appointment is for the second TWOC but it will be sometime this week! Thank you again & congratulations on baby number 2 - wishing you lots of luck ☺️

OP posts:

ThemysteriousH · 26/02/2024 05:15

Did you have an epidural OP?
I did with DS2 and this happened to me!

Since then every time I’ve had an anesthetic (I’ve had a few operations), this happens to me!
They don’t know why it happens.
Sorry it’s not an answer, just wanted to let you know you’re not alone in it.

Keeping everything crossed it was a “one off” for you. Sorry it’s not a positive one.

Original poster

LouiseS05 · 28/02/2024 10:34

ThemysteriousH · 26/02/2024 05:15

Did you have an epidural OP?
I did with DS2 and this happened to me!

Since then every time I’ve had an anesthetic (I’ve had a few operations), this happens to me!
They don’t know why it happens.
Sorry it’s not an answer, just wanted to let you know you’re not alone in it.

Keeping everything crossed it was a “one off” for you. Sorry it’s not a positive one.

Yes I did have an epidural. Do you have to self catheterise all the time or does it ease?

Thank you for sharing it's nice to know I'm not alone. I think that's been the hardest part - doctors saying it's uncommon - which I know it is but it does happen now I have found out by doing my own research. That's something they don't tell you! Thank you again x

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2mumlife · 12/03/2024 12:23

@LouiseS05 Trying to offer some reassurance. I had a catheter put in during pushing stage of labour as was having difficulty moving baby and senior midwife discovered that my midwife hadn't encouraged me to urinate during labour. Ended up with a forceps delivery requiring a spinal anaesthesia after having laboured naturally until that point. They tried removing the catheter twice whilst I was in hospital, and I couldn't urinate either time. I got discharged home with the catheter. A week after birth I went back in and was (very thankfully) able to pass the urine test (just). I don't think my bladder was actually quite working properly to be honest, but after a bit of time and lots of pelvic exercises and making sure I was fully emptying bladder and things, I now have no issues. I'd never heard of being catheterised after birth either, but was told its quite common.

Nmvasey85 · 12/03/2024 12:27

Baby number 2 has arrived and I was very conscious about going to the toilet lots throughout labour. After the birth again I felt like I wanted to go and couldn't - I thought here we go again! I had an in/out catheter in to empty bladder and thankfully this time it was just a normal amount. I was able to go to the toilet normally within the next 12 hours or so, I say normal 🙈 but strangely for the next 2-3 days I could only wee standing up, or at least to get things going and then I could sit. I think my bladder just goes into shock, after last time I was putting a lot of pressure on myself to go, thankfully things seem to be back to normal.

Nmvasey85 · 12/03/2024 12:28

@LouiseS05 how are things?

2mumlife · 12/03/2024 14:12

@Nmvasey85 Congratulations! And really reassuring to know you didn't have nearly the same issues with bay 2 as I'm also pregnant with baby 2 and this is one of the things that's on my mind to!

Nmvasey85 · 12/03/2024 14:57

@2mumlife congratulations on your pregnancy. Fingers crossed more of the same for you too xx

Original poster

LouiseS05 · 12/03/2024 18:16

Nmvasey85 · 12/03/2024 12:27

Baby number 2 has arrived and I was very conscious about going to the toilet lots throughout labour. After the birth again I felt like I wanted to go and couldn't - I thought here we go again! I had an in/out catheter in to empty bladder and thankfully this time it was just a normal amount. I was able to go to the toilet normally within the next 12 hours or so, I say normal 🙈 but strangely for the next 2-3 days I could only wee standing up, or at least to get things going and then I could sit. I think my bladder just goes into shock, after last time I was putting a lot of pressure on myself to go, thankfully things seem to be back to normal.

Congratulations!!! 🥰
I'm so pleased you didn't have the same issues this time round - thank goodness!!

OP posts:

Original poster

LouiseS05 · 12/03/2024 18:17

2mumlife · 12/03/2024 12:23

@LouiseS05 Trying to offer some reassurance. I had a catheter put in during pushing stage of labour as was having difficulty moving baby and senior midwife discovered that my midwife hadn't encouraged me to urinate during labour. Ended up with a forceps delivery requiring a spinal anaesthesia after having laboured naturally until that point. They tried removing the catheter twice whilst I was in hospital, and I couldn't urinate either time. I got discharged home with the catheter. A week after birth I went back in and was (very thankfully) able to pass the urine test (just). I don't think my bladder was actually quite working properly to be honest, but after a bit of time and lots of pelvic exercises and making sure I was fully emptying bladder and things, I now have no issues. I'd never heard of being catheterised after birth either, but was told its quite common.

Thank you - that is reassuring! I think mine is finally getting back to normal - I have to self catheterise twice a day but it's so much better than having one all the time!
Thank you for taking the time to message xx

OP posts: