Do they insert a urinary catheter with all pain relief during labor?
Posted By Admin on November 7, 2011
I’m just about to enter my third trimester so I’ve been doing a lot of research regarding the types of pain relief available for me. I’ve noticed that everything I come upon regarding an epidural also comes with a urinary catheter and I’m super not comfortable with that. I guess what I’m wondering is if a catheter is necessary no matter what during the labor process, or if it’s only accompanied by certain types of pain relief. Thanks so much.
Chosen Answer:
I got an urinary catheter during labor, even thought I didn’t get an epidural nor any kind of pain relief. They did so because my bladder was really full and I was in active labor.
Even if I got it without any pain relief, it’s not so bad. It’s a little uncomfortable when they put it in, but really, it was the last of my concerns considering all the things that were going on, the contractions, the pushing… I much prefered having it then peeing all over myself and in the doctor’s face. Or having my bladder rupture.
by: Bhd
on: 19th June 11
Trust me, if you get an epidural the last thing you’ll think about is a catheter. They wait until after you’re numb to put it in so you don’t feel it. You’ll be way more focused on labor than peeing through a tube, trust me!
You only need a catheter if you can’t walk. With an epidural it would be necessary. If you choose IV drugs you could say no if you are able to use the bathroom on your own. If you go w/o drugs there is no need for a catheter.
I got an urinary catheter during labor, even thought I didn’t get an epidural nor any kind of pain relief. They did so because my bladder was really full and I was in active labor.
Even if I got it without any pain relief, it’s not so bad. It’s a little uncomfortable when they put it in, but really, it was the last of my concerns considering all the things that were going on, the contractions, the pushing… I much prefered having it then peeing all over myself and in the doctor’s face. Or having my bladder rupture.
Usually when you have epidural you have a catheter put in because your numb below the waist. However i had a catheter in for four days because of the fact that the baby was putting pressure on my bladder during labour whilst he was in the birth canal. Therefore it took a while for my bladder to recover, it is slightly uncomfortable and as i had stitches it can irritate them a little bit, but honestly it’s nowhere near as bad as labour you just need to go with the flow. They gave me four hours to use the toilet as i had no pain relief and because i wasn’t able to i had a catheter in for 24 hours then they take it out and yet again give you another 4 hours to use the toilet. But don’t worry about it your body will have been through alot and a tube to drain your bladder isn’t a bad thing. I hope it all goes okay for you but don’t worry about it too much when it comes to it you end up dealing with things as they come and you find everything works out fine x