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Original poster

Refusing catheter with c section

95 replies

lollydrop · 14/05/2020 23:49

I know this might sound silly but this is the bit I’m dreading the most with having a planned c section.

Can I refuse to have one? Is that even an option?

OP posts:
AllyBamma · 15/05/2020 00:25

You would be extremely silly to not have one. The epidural is going to remove your ability to be able to know when your bladder is full so you risk either just weeing all over yourself - not a good move in a sterile theatre with your abdomen open, you’re risking infection there. Or alternatively you won’t know when your bladder is very full and you’ll risk over stretching your bladder, leading to incontinence issues later on. Not to mention that you won’t exactly be leaping out of bed and just going to the toilet as normal, certainly not for the first day at least. Even getting on and off a bed pan with a fresh c section wound would be murder. Trust me, you want the catheter, they put it in after the epidural and it will be the least interesting thing that happens to you that day. The anesthetist would also be well within his rights to refuse the epidural without the catheter as he/she wouldn’t want the above complications associated with their care.

Original poster
lollydrop · 15/05/2020 00:39

I had a catheter fitted when I had surgery a few years ago and it was the most awful experience of my life 😭 As another poster said the thought of having one again makes me shudder!!!!

Good to know that it will be done after the spinal, I didn’t think of that. The thought of one still fills me with dread :(

OP posts:
Original poster
lollydrop · 15/05/2020 00:41

I honestly would rather piss myself in theatre than ever have one again 😂🙈

OP posts:
allfurcoatnoknickers · 15/05/2020 00:43

I didn't even feel the catheter going in or coming out. I'd had the spinal, I'd pretty much forgotten about it until this thread.

I get how you feel though, I HATED the cannula in my wrist so much, the thought of it still makes my skin crawl.

Runkle · 15/05/2020 00:53

It wouldn't be very nice for the poor theatre staff in that case.

SleepingStandingUp · 15/05/2020 00:59

You might rather piss yourself op but are you happy once you're in recovery to lie in a puddle of it cuddling your baby? You happy to be in a ward with other Mom's in your puddle of piss? Not being harsh, I hate the damn things too, but you need to think it through

Shanster · 15/05/2020 01:04

I loved being able to sleep all day after my c section with the catheter in! One of the only upsides!

SleepingStandingUp · 15/05/2020 01:08

@Shanster how??

cannotmakemymindup · 15/05/2020 01:12

I had one for my emergency C-section definitely didn't feel it going in due to the spinal. Even when removed the next morning it didn't hurt, wasn't uncomfortable and like others I was glad to have not needed a wee for twelve hours straight. Longest time in my entire pregnancy I hadn't needed a wee. Plus my spinal took that long to wear off and I definitely don't think I could have walked after the surgery to the loo at any point in the night.

Original poster
lollydrop · 15/05/2020 01:25

Thank you for all of the replies. I know I’ll need one now 😢 Was hoping it would just be an option. 🤞🏼 the experience won’t be as bad as last time.

@allfurcoatnoknickers Oh no I forgot that I would need a cannula as well 😫! That’s another one I hateeee. Had one when I was admitted for sickness early on and it was so painful I refused a second bag of fluids because of the pain and just wanted it out.

As you can all tell I’m just a big wimp 😂 probably best I’m not giving birth naturally!

OP posts:
Greenmarmalade · 15/05/2020 01:32

You’re not a wimp, it’s all very overwhelming. I have had 3 csections, and I didn’t feel the catheter going in at all. I’m sorry you’ve had such a scary experience.

allfurcoatnoknickers · 15/05/2020 01:33

@lollydrop I am the most pathetic wuss, and I found the cannula the most painful part. I actually cried from the pain when the nurse put it in. Catheter didn't even register, I swear :)

The rest of the c-section was a doddle compared to that. Probably for the best I didn't attempt natural birth since I couldn't handle a needle going into my wrist. Next time I'm demanding the numbing cream they have in pediatrics Grin.

Purpleartichoke · 15/05/2020 01:55

They didn’t put mine in until after I had the spinal meds put in.
I made them take it out very soon after surgery. I could feel it very intensely and got quite vocal about it being removed ASAP. They did take it out, but made a big fuss about it not being standard procedure.

Purpleartichoke · 15/05/2020 01:59

No puddle of pee, I just got up and went to the bathroom, but I had modified anesthesia for my csection because of allergies so I had full use of my limbs again within 2 hours.

If you need the catheter removed and can’t walk yet, bed pans are an option.

TinRoofRusty · 15/05/2020 02:08

I had one with no anaesthetic. What happened was that I'd had a GA for a long operation, and then a couple of days later, my bladder wouldn't work! I'd feel like I needed to pee and not be able to void. It was agony! I rang my surgeon's office was told I needed to go to A&E and get it emptied. The HCP must have been really good because I honestly didn't feel it (I was also in mega pain from not being able to empty my bladder). Didn't hurt coming out, either. It's not the worst thing I've gone through. They took it out after I filled a bag or more and then I had to stay in hospital until I could prove I could pee again.

Mymomsbetterthanyomom · 15/05/2020 02:17

I TOLD my nurses that I wanted the cath done after the epidural was placed.
All three times they did as I requested.
I also told them in a respectful manner and didn't go at them like they were there to do anything other than support and care for myself and our unborn baby.

LadyDoc1 · 15/05/2020 02:17

The setting is completely different from your surgery experience so hopefully it won't even register. If you're nervous about it, or the cannula, please tell the doctors and nurses.
It's easy to forget how frightening hospital can be when you work in one all the time, so if you feel able to say then that should help!
All the best

DamnYankee · 15/05/2020 02:36

I thought it was weird see my bag of urine and not having had any memory of going. However, epi had kicked in.
Seems ickier if you're a man

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 15/05/2020 02:47

I had one in when I had surgery after my birth of my baby. Had surgery 2 hrs after he was born due to a third degree tear in labour. I don’t remember it going in, they did it once the spinal was in. I didn’t notice it when it was in as the spinal was still there when coming round. They took it out when i went for a shower and I don’t remember it being a problem then either. I think it’s a necessary part of the surgery. You won’t want to be laying there in a puddle of your own wee.

1300cakes · 15/05/2020 02:55

You can't refuse but you won't want to. I was also dreading it, but I'm not kidding, it was the best bit (after the baby of course). After 9 months of constantly needing to pee, the relief was incredible! To lay in bed drinking as much water as I wanted and not needing to get up or being uncomfortable was heaven. My second pregnancy I looked forward to it.

overtly · 15/05/2020 05:20

I'v had a catheter a few times and agree that it's removal often isn't pleased. However last time I had one, the lady removing it did is so quickly that I barely noticed. As with bloods etc the experience is all to do with the skill of the hcp.

ZenDay · 15/05/2020 05:55

I've had two C sections. The first is a blur - it was too long ago. The most recent one was 32 years ago and I didn't have a catheter. I'm in the US and they get you up and moving as soon as they close the incision it seems like. If your peeing into a bag there's more chance your going to lie around in bed I suppose.

mrsjg · 15/05/2020 06:23

I had to have a catheter when ds was born. I initially refused it as I had a traumatic experience with one when I was 10. I eventually agreed to one, they let me have gas and air while it was being done. I do remember it not being as bad as I thought it would be.

However I had mine done a good 8ish hours before the c section. This was 17 years ago so it sounds as though things have changed.

DobbyTheHouseElk · 15/05/2020 06:29

I had forceps. They didn’t tell me they’d put a catheter in. I was recovering in bed and wondered what the uncomfortable tube was in be with me. So I pulled it. Nothing happened and I fell asleep. In the morning I saw an “old lady wee bag” hanging down from the bed and was horrified!!
I asked the next nurse why I had it, she said didn’t they tell you, you had one. I said no. Cried a bit. She said it needs to come out, won’t hurt. Ouch it did. She smiled and said sorry, I know it does. She was the kindest nurse I had in the hell that is the post natal ward. Helped me put my pants back on too.

userabcname · 15/05/2020 06:39

You'll be fine OP! Didn't even notice my catheter when I had a c section. In fact I was quite sad when they took it out as it meant I had to start traipsing to the loo. Good luck with everything!

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