What is it like having a catheter?

[PixieCake]

Can someone tell me about urinary catheters with a c-section.

Why do you need one? Does everyone have to have one or can I just hobble to the loo instead?
When do they put them in? During the op or afterwards?
Who puts it in and does it hurt?
Does it go straight into your urethra? How big is it?
How often does the urine bag need emptying and can visitors see it?
How long does it stay in for?
Does it hurt when it comes out? Do they just pull it out?

These may be obvious questions but I have no idea about this, and I'm finding it almost more worrying than the CS itself!

Thank you

was ok and I am a woos

I have had 3 now with my 3 sections and hardly noticed lol

OMG catheters are bloody brilliant, you don't even know you are going to the loo and if like me you go all the time its nice to have a day off.

It doesn't hurt at all and you really cant move much the first day anyway.

The catheter is not something to worry about.
I had EMCS and catheter so here goes with the Q's:

Why do you need one?
Can't move straight after CS due to spinal anaesthetic.

Does everyone have to have one or can I just hobble to the loo instead?

Not until they take it out so yes you do need one.

When do they put them in?

Don't even know when they put mine in everything happened so fast, so can't be that bad.

During the op or afterwards?

see above

Who puts it in and does it hurt?

One of the doctors doing the CS or a theatre nurse

Does it go straight into your urethra?

Yes

Yes How big is it?

Not very

How often does the urine bag need emptying and can visitors see it?

Depends on how much urine, not often

How long does it stay in for?

Mine came out next morning

Does it hurt when it comes out? Do they just pull it out? Yes they do just pull, but didn't really feel it as was on painkillers and other areas hurt more.

I had to have a catheter put in at the start of the second stage (normal, if very difficult delivery). I can honestly say I barely noticed, and certainly don't remember it being taken out again.

I've done a bit of a search online, and a 14fr gauge catheter (which is what I would choose for a woman) has a diameter of 47mm - approximately two-thirds the diameter of a biro.

HTH

I had a catheter with each c-section.Didn't feel it at all being put in.Afterwards I could feel it if I moved about but it wasn't painful,it was there until the next day I think-had dd2 at noon-think they took it out the next morning at some point.Yes you can see it but its reasonably discreet and as its not there for very long you will probably only have your partner with you anyway.No one wants visitors staight after major surgery do they?
Taking it out I was dreading,but it didn't hurt.Odd pulling feeling like when you take out a tampon and then a little twingey feeling and out,2 seconds in all.Then you have to hobble off to the loo very very slowly...Honestly its completely fine and I am a wuss.the line into the back of my hand was more uncomfortable,bashed it every time I breastfed.ouch.

I have had 3 sections, the first 2 went a bit tits up as I haemorraged, the last one was fine and was 11 days ago! So catheter still fresh in my mind, believe me when I say you will be fine with it. I got them to do everything when I was numb- catheter, swabs, suppositories if needed. Honestly, I am mard about things like that and it wasn't that bad. Good luck

I think your questions have been answered, but my short answer would be that catheters are ok, and they're not there long. I quite liked the fact that I didn't have to get up to do a wee when I was in pain.

The thing that got me was that bastard needle thing they put in the back of my hand (can't remember what it's called). That hurt like hell. Having that removed was utter bliss.

Canula - that's it, QTPie. Oh, happy memories.

I am a nurse and I have put hundreds of catheters in people. I hated the idea of having one but had 2 x EMCS and it was fine.

You need one so that your bladder is empty and out of the way for the op, then it stays in because you will likely have no senstaion for a while and not be able to pee on demand, plus not able to walk to toilet.

After the million wees a day at the end of pregnancy, it was oddly restful to not be getting up

No pain when it comes out but definately an odd sensation. There is a little balloon of water keeping it from falling out, they deflate the balloon and it slides out no problem. Usually put it in after you are numb/knocked out as the case may be(My last shout before Crash Section under general was Don't put it in til I'm asleep! )