Question about Catheter for C-Section

[Shanslee]

Hello everyone,

I have been told that I will have to have a c-section for medical reasons, all of which I agree with.

My question is about the bladder catheter they insert for the c-section.

When I had my teenagers (17 and 15 years ago), they were each by c-section. I was given the catheter before they did the spinal. The pain was enormous...I do NOT want to go through that again.

But knowing how things have changed over the long period of time since I last had a baby, I am wondering if they still do this? Did you get your catheter before they did the spinal or epidural, or did they do it after you were already numb?

I just want to know what to expect! Thanks in advance...

 

[His Princess]

I don't know if it's different in the U.S. but I'm afraid to say that when I had my c-section 9 weeks ago, they put the catheter in before giving me a spinal. It was bareable but certainly not pleasant. However, they did mention that they could wait and do it when I got into theatre although my midwife said if she did it beforehand it would only be her in the room as opposed to 10 people in theatre. I'm not sure whether that would've been before or after the spinal though.

 

[Shanslee]

Thank you! It's good to know what to expect (even if it's not what I wanted to hear!).

I wonder if they would be willing to wait until after the spinal...

 

[babybaker2011]

I'm in the U.S. and I had my catheter put in after my spinal for both of my C-sections.

 

[misspriss]

Goodness why on earth would they do it before? Done after when I got my epidural with my VBAC. With my first I got it long before, it was not painful (had to have it during labor due to mag sulfate).

 

[Shanslee]

babybaker and misspriss, that's a relief to hear!

I've always wondered why they did it before the spinal...why put someone through more pain if it is completely unnecessary to do so? After your responses I am thinking maybe the approach has changed over the years (it has been a long while since my last c-section!).

Thank you!

 

[kristy87]

I had a c section on Monday, was emergency but my catheter was put in after the spinal. Doesn't really make sense to do it before does it?! X

 

[His Princess]

I wish I'd of had mine put in after my spinal. Having to try to keep still whilst they put the spinal in, all the while feeling the catheter was one of the worst parts about the whole thing for me!

 

[TTC First]

I also had a c section last week and it was put in after so I didn't feel a thing. I worried when they were taking it out because I heard that it was painful going in. Turns out that the nurse deflated the balloon and it just fell out so I didn't feel a thing.

 

[bitethebullet]

Had mine after.

 

[george83]

I had mine after, in fact I had an emergency c section and baby went to scbu straight after and I was so out of it afterwards I didn't realise I had one in until the middle of the next day

 

[Caelli86]

Had mine put in after too

 

[nikki2512]

i have had 3 c sections 1st emergency 2nd and 3rd planned and all of them catheter was put in after spinal,didn't feel a thing just not nice having them taken out,my 3rd ds was the worst as the midwife didn't properly deflate the balloon from the uk

 

[bitethebullet]

i have had 3 c sections 1st emergency 2nd and 3rd planned and all of them catheter was put in after spinal,didn't feel a thing just not nice having them taken out,my 3rd ds was the worst as the midwife didn't properly deflate the balloon from the uk

Ah sounds horrible! I was really nervous about getting mine out but found it completely painless. Could barely feel it happening.

 

[staceymxxx]

I had emcs, catheter in after. i was baffled why i didn't need to go to the toilet (i didn't know i had one in)

 

[Shanslee]

Thanks for all the replies!

I'm now confident that if someone suggests they will put the catheter in before the spinal, I can ask (or insist!) that they do it afterward instead. It seems like having it done afterward is so common that it shouldn't be a big deal to do it that way.

So many things have changed since I had my teenagers, and most for the better...sounds like the catheter after the spinal is one of those good changes!

For what it's worth, having the catheters put in hurt like hell...but having them removed was quite easy and never painful for me. I was always very afraid of not being able to use the bathroom afterward, though, knowing that they would put the catheter back in if I didn't go soon enough.

 

[HayleyJJ]

Defo after and I was also scared about it coming out wasn't bad at all just felt yucky

That was nearly a month ago and a distant memory and many sleepless nights ago lmfao

 

[love.peace]

Omg. No way. They should do it after the spinal or you should demand it. Having the spinal is bad enough. It takes no extra time at all to fit it when you're numb

 

[love.peace]

I've also asked for mine to be removed in recovery. I'd rather use a bed pan for a while than have it taken out not numb

 

[His Princess]

After hearing everyone else's stories, I'm wondering why my mudwife advised me to have it beforehand. At least I know to say no next time!

With regards to having it taken out the next day, I barely felt it. My drain was a lot worse- that made me feel physically sick!