Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Flip

1 2 3 4

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:

Breastfeedingworries · 15/05/2020 06:45

I’m now just remembering I had one! I literally looked back and thought how did I get up to wee? 🤣 you’re in a lot of pain and I’m very strong pain killers but still you can barely bend at all at first. You’d wet yourself. Cause w lot of extra work for nurses plus Covid 19 can be passed in your wee.

Romanticrights · 15/05/2020 06:47

This was my biggest fear about having a c-section too! But honestly I didn't feel a thing. Went in after the spinal, and I literally didn't feel a thing when it was taken out

Laney79 · 15/05/2020 07:04

In terms of the cannula buy yourself some ametop gel and put it on for 40 mins about an hour before you are due in theatre. It's brilliant as it numbs the area-I did this for both the cannula and the spinal and i didn't feel either (I'm needle phobic so use it for blood tests too-I know they do local anaesthetic first but I didn't want to feel that either!)
I was petrified of the catheter too but they put it on after the spinal had taken effect and taking it out wasn't in anyway uncomfortable just an odd sensation.

Mummyoflittledragon · 15/05/2020 07:12

My bladder was drained during an operation. This stung a lot when I came round and I remember shouting I needed the loo. I have since had surgery and needed a catheter both times, canula obviously. They’re not nice things but needs must. Just because it was horrible the first time, it doesn’t mean it will be this time. Having had both, I would prefer to have the fixed catheter. This thread is also making me feel ill. I need more surgery.

burritofan · 15/05/2020 07:13

I hated the catheter more than the drip, OP, I get where you're coming from. Let your midwife and doctors know your fears/wimpiness – I got lots of figurative hand-holding and gas and air during insertion. It was still unpleasant even with an epidural.

koffeetoast · 15/05/2020 07:14

I didnt even realise I had one until the next day and they told me they were going to remove it. I thought it was pretty cool, couldn't feel a thing.

HeadOfHomeschool · 15/05/2020 07:16

You even won't know when they put it in op. Don't worry.

OneMomentInHistory · 15/05/2020 07:23

Hope you're feeling a bit better about it now OP. Just thought I'd say it's not just that you won't feel it, you shouldn't even know it's happening! You'll go in to theatre, have the spinal/epidural, lay down with curtain up. They then do it at some point after that. Do tell the medics (there'll be someone with you at all times) that you're worried - and tell them whether or not you want to know it's happening. I was really worried about it being taken out, but I genuinely felt nothing.

Seriously79 · 15/05/2020 07:24

This was my biggest fear too! But honestly you won't feel it. I've had 2 now.

They put it in after the epidural/ spinal block, and you won't even know it's there. And when they take it out it's literally 5 seconds and it's gone.

Itoldyouiwasill · 15/05/2020 07:26

With my youngest I can remember a midwife arriving at my bed to put one in before I'd been taken to theatre. I refused, she insisted and I refused again explaining my reasons clearly that I didn't want it to be put in until I was in theatre ( I wanted to have been anaesthetised and also to be in a cleaner environment )
She was very stroppy and had to hover around while the anaesthetist was doing the spinal block.
Honestly once you're numb you don't feel a thing, however I wouldn't choose to have it put in before hand

LordOftheRingz · 15/05/2020 07:34

My section went from routine to emergency on the table and I required total anaesthesia just as the baby was emerging. I think in this case you need to go with the medical knowledge.

All this about doing c sections in a personalised way, its just not the same as a vaginal birth, its a highly medicalised major surgery, and you are totally in thier hands, you might choose a bit of music but thats the end.

Sipperskipper · 15/05/2020 07:38

I didn’t like the thought of it but they did it after the epidural went in. Didn’t feel a thing. Was also worried about it being taken out, but that was fine too.

ponchek · 15/05/2020 07:40

You need a catheter for the operation to make sure your bladder is empty, and so reduce the chance of surgical injury to the bladder. It's put in after the spinal so you can't feel it.

This.

rwalker · 15/05/2020 07:43

On a practical side how do you expect to manage gong to the toilet

strawberry2017 · 15/05/2020 07:44

They also need to measure your urine output after to make sure things are working ok.
I would rather have a catheter then spend hours lying in my own wee unable to move or clean myself.
I had blue wee after my recent section, based on where my bladder was positioned they had to make sure no damage had been caused so filled my bladder with blue dye, seeing that come out was amusing 😂
Like others have said, it goes in once your numb and it's a deep breath the next day to have it removed.
Don't refuse one, you are just making things harder for the surgeons and the staff who have to look after you after the surgery.
They have enough on without having to deal with that as well.

ivfgottostaypositive · 15/05/2020 08:17

You can't feel it and it rather the catheter than piss myself 🤷‍♀️

Raaaa · 15/05/2020 08:29

I had to have one half way through my birth (vaginal) as I couldn't go myself and it was causing issues. Barely felt it

Colouringinbook · 15/05/2020 10:16

I'd rather have a catheter than having to ask a busy nurse, HCA or cleaner to clean up my piss. I was embarrassed enough that they had to help dress me and sort out my pad without having to get a mop out as well. I didn't notice it going in and it was out in about 5 seconds.

KenDodd · 15/05/2020 10:35

Personally, yes, I would rather piss myself, then lie in a pile of piss or wear a nappy than have a catheter. I'm sure wearing a nappy would make me feel sick 14 years later. I couldn't sleep last night thinking about it and about this thread.

Ingridla · 15/05/2020 10:40

I didn't have one, I had a very pain free c section, my scar is literally invisible. Everyone is different.

MichelleOR84 · 15/05/2020 11:07

I promise you it’s not bad at all ! I was petrified of getting one , although I didn’t think I would need one as I was hoping for a natural , unmediated birth .

But when I was about 8cms they were concerned that baby was blocking my bladder so I couldn’t pee. They were worried about infection . At first I refused but eventually I gave in.I couldn’t even feel them put it in or take it out!! AT ALL! And that’s with no pain relief .

The idea of it freaked me out more than it should have ! I promise !!!!

BiscuitLover3679 · 15/05/2020 11:15

I bloody hated the catheter first time. You may be able to ask them to do it after spinal? I'm hoping for that.

BiscuitLover3679 · 15/05/2020 11:15

Amazed some people can't feel it but shows it can be done. It's very quick op.

rhowton · 15/05/2020 12:53

A catheter is the best bit of a c section! A whole 24 hours without going to the toilet. It was heaven! They had to change mine every two hours as I was downing water because in the third trimester, if I drank a whole glass of water, I would wee myself 😂

Maybelatte · 15/05/2020 14:08

If you don’t have one you’ll piss everywhere.

Flip

1 2 3 4