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Original poster

Epidural during vaginal labour = catheter?

27 replies

MuddyWellyNelly · 04/06/2015 19:31

I can't believe this has only just dawned on me. I've read up heaps on labour, been to Ante-natal classes, and spoken to people in real life. But as I was reading something about ELCS and how you would have a catheter inserted to keep the bladder empty, it dawned on me that chances are you'd need one if you had an epidural during a normal labour too? But I asked my sister who'd had one, and she couldn't remember!

So is it standard, or by exception? I can't imagine I will care much if that's what happens, but I like to know what to expect and what's normal.

OP posts:

RiojaHaze · 04/06/2015 19:32

Yes you have one as the epidural numbs your bladder so you don't know if you need a wee or not. I think that can mean long term or permanent bladder damage without it.

Original poster

MuddyWellyNelly · 04/06/2015 19:34

That's what I (finally!) thought, but it's odd that in the millions of MN labour threads I've read extensive research I've done, and even ante-natal, nobody mentioned it.

OP posts:

Original poster

MuddyWellyNelly · 04/06/2015 19:35

Sorry I should say, in comparison to anything I've read on CS, which always seems to mention it.

OP posts:

Whatabout · 04/06/2015 19:35

Yes you get a catheter. I liked the not having to go for a wee!

Hellohellohowareyou · 04/06/2015 19:36

Depends....I had an epidural which I could self administer by pressing a button every ten mins max but as I still wanted to feel the contractions and know when to push I only pressed it once every 30 mins. I didn't end up having a catheter until I went into theatre as my labour ended up with an EMCS, up until then I could still sense when I needed to wee and they provided me with a bed pan

Nannynome · 04/06/2015 19:37

I didn't need one for the first few hours as I could still pee with the epidural in however later on I was catheterised when I finally couldn't pee on command

CurlsLDN · 04/06/2015 19:38

Yep, something I didn't realise but was glad of is that they get the epidural working and only then put in the catheter, I didn't even notice them doing it.
I remember having it in and having it removed the next day, I was quite scared of having it removed but it was fine, didn't hurt

ApplesTheHare · 04/06/2015 19:39

I didn't have an epidural but still had a catheter as I found it hard to wee in labour. I only just remembered because of your post though, so that gives you an idea of how big a deal it was. I wouldn't worry about it, it's helpful if you need one Good luck with it all

yummymango · 04/06/2015 19:40

Yes! I was surprised too but amongst everything that's going on it's the least of your worries (I would have been very scared of it beforehand if I'd known!)

ApplesTheHare · 04/06/2015 19:41

p.s. I'm assuming they took it out at some point as well because it's not there now (btw this was only 8 months ago, not 20 years or anything) but I don't remember so it can't have hurt. Not good with pain

foolonthehill · 04/06/2015 19:41

I didn't have one...was asked to pee before procedure. I had been in labour for 2 days.....the baby wasn't going to be allowed to stay in much longer (did deliver vaginally and unassisted but was a close thing).

Midwives can do "in/out" catheterisation if required. For vaginal delivery you wouldn't want an indwelling catheter balloon in the way as it would impede delivery. You may have a catheter put in after the birth as it can take a while to get back to weeing normally. However often the epidural is kept "light" and not all sensation is numbed these days to assist mothers in maintaining some non painful sensation and hence control

HTH

MarchLikeAnAnt · 04/06/2015 19:43

I didn't have a catheter with my epidural, though it was one of those where you press the button if that makes a difference...

ScorpioMermaid · 04/06/2015 19:43

Yep, catheter with an epidural in normal labour. I was 17 when I had an epidural and had no idea about the catheter until the midwife came at me with it.. I thought she was joking when she said it's about as thick as a little finger haha!

Buttercup27 · 04/06/2015 19:44

Do you know I honestly can't remember having a catheter . My epidural didn't work brilliantly (only deadened between by belly button to hips) no matter how much I pushed the boost button but I honestly don't know if I had a catheter.
I remember going to the loo about half hour after labour (as I fainted on the loo )

patterkiller · 04/06/2015 19:45

I had one during labour with an epidural, I then had septicemia and was out of it for ten days. I remember thinking the only bonus of all this wax not having to get out of bed to pee.

Nospringflower · 04/06/2015 19:45

I had an epidural with all 3 births but only had a Catheter with one. Not sure how they decided though ...

WorldsBiggestGrotbag · 04/06/2015 19:47

I didn't have an epidural but had a catheter in anyway, I was 10cms dilated and pushing but my bladder was full and blocking the baby from coming out. It was just an in/out one to empty it. I would much prefer it if I couldn't feel it after an epidural, it's not at all fun with no pain relief!

CPtart · 04/06/2015 19:48

I didn't have one. The midwife performed intermittent catheterisation on me (in and out) once or twice to drain bladder instead. I am a nurse and have worked with incontinence specialists who have seen people left with bladder problems caused in labour when this has been overlooked. I kept nagging her every couple of hours to do it!

Hopelass · 04/06/2015 19:59

I was catheterised twice during normal vaginal delivery and didn't even have an epidural! My bladder was so full it was blocking DS's escape route but I couldn't for the life of me go for a wee! I panicked when they mentioned a catheter because I thought it would hurt but it didn't and the sense of relief was amazing!

Original poster

MuddyWellyNelly · 04/06/2015 20:03

Ah so it's clearly not a standardised approach then! A whole range of experiences on here. Thanks everyone for sharing. At least I now know it's a possibility, with or without an epidural!!

OP posts:

K8eee · 04/06/2015 22:29

I had an epidural with dd. it started out with the midwives slowly administering it, so every half hour or when I needed it. I could still get up and pee if I needed to, but the moment I couldn't feel my legs, a catheter was going in. tbh it's not half as bad as you think. worse bit is when they remove it, but it's over in a matter of seconds. just make sure you or your birthing partner keep an eye on your bag full of pee and that it doesn't back up you'll be fine, and hopefully you'll have a great bunch of midwives to look after you

Original poster

MuddyWellyNelly · 04/06/2015 22:33

Thanks K8eee, not worried about having one as such. But it hadn't even occurred to me it might be a possibility until fairly recently, and the surprise element might have bothered me a bit. I've no issues with the procedure itself. I say, having never had one!! I do think it's strange that in 7 months of "research" I've never read about it once though - clearly not something anyone takes away from their labour experience .

OP posts:

nutelladipper · 04/06/2015 22:46

I didn't have one! Although I know they emptied my bladder for me before assisted delivery a few hrs later!
X

DramaAlpaca · 04/06/2015 22:50

I had an epidural with DC1, and I'm fairly sure I didn't have a catheter. I don't remember having one, anyway.

katiegg · 04/06/2015 22:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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