Trouble emptying bladder during labour

**Astrid** · April 14th, 2008, 08:48 PM

Last time once I arrived at hospital I had a lot of trouble emptying my bladder. Not good at all, I put it down to be dehyrated, but when they put in the cathiter in prep for intervention a lot of urine came out. I just could not wee

I would like to be able to wee this time around. So are there any tips to stop this from happening or even any ideas why it happened last time?

**Tobily** · April 14th, 2008, 09:44 PM

I don't know really Astrid but I'd be interested to hear...Alan??!

I had a mum recently who had a natural birth, couldn't wee during labour despite trying and when she was pushing the baby was coming but the OB commented she could see her bladder bulging (how I am NOT sure...never heard that one before). Anyway they did an in/out catheter and got 300ml of urine which is HEAPS. As soon as they did it, with the full bladder out of the way baby popped out.

I wondered at the time whether it was the lack of privacy that she couldn't wee, or perhaps whether baby was hitting a nerve somewhere on the way down that prevented her feeling the urge. Not sure but watching with interest!

**The[cookie]Doctor** · April 14th, 2008, 09:48 PM

I'm not sure either, but as for hitting a nerve etc, i wouldn't be surprised as i had difficulty peeing the entire third TRI. I would wee maybe three-four times a day whereas everyone i spoke to could do that just overnight.

**Astrid** · April 14th, 2008, 09:54 PM

I don't remember having the urge, maybe I did, that stage is a blur now. I did try weeing on the toilet and over a dish, but I just couldn't. I did have one morning with this pregnancy where I could not wee, it was not until I went swimming that morning that it all came out. Yes, I know not to wee in the pool, but at that point I had no control it just kept on coming

Better remember to ask the midwives this week if they know.

**MantaRay** · April 14th, 2008, 09:56 PM

I don't know either, but I do know that I sometimes had trouble peeing when pg, and sometimes I even find it a bit at the start of my period. I put it down to the uterus blocking the the urethra somehow but I am only guessing. I did read that leaning forward a lot can help when weeing during pg if you have an inverted uterus. I didn't have an inverted uterus, but I did find that helped a little bit.

It is possible that it was just the position of the baby last time and it might not happen again.

**Astrid** · April 14th, 2008, 10:04 PM

Could well have been position, as her position was awful last time (hence the c-section). That could also explain the pool incident, being in water maybe allowed bubs to move. I do recall also having a few bladder issues when using tampons, they seemed to interfere with the whole process. So the bubs hitting a nerve theory is sounding very plausible.

**AnyDream** · April 14th, 2008, 10:05 PM

Astrid I had this happen in my labour - I understand that the bladder was too full for the baby's head to pass, and the head was pressing against the bladder/urethra in such as way as to prevent it from deflating as it would normally to pass urine. It was incredibly painful. It took being catheterised 2 times to fully empty.

I was cranky about this as I had read this could happen and had instructed my birth partner/midwife to make sure I was taken to the toilet frequently to prevent this.

However they forgot and I was in no state to notice that I needed to pee or was even unable to pee.

**BellyBelly** · April 15th, 2008, 07:35 AM

Some women can't wee in labour, sometimes the baby's head / position can be the problem, especially if baby is down nice and low. If baby's head is high and you have a full bladder, sometimes they will want you to empty your bladder to help baby's head come down. No matter what you try, lots of toilet breaks, running water etc, sometimes it's just too hard! So make sure you have regular loo breaks early on and keep drinking water as you will need it! Dont stop drinking water as you are worried about not weeing - would be even more disasterous.

paradise lost · April 15th, 2008, 07:52 AM

I had a mum recently who had a natural birth, couldn't wee during labour despite trying and when she was pushing the baby was coming but the OB commented she could see her bladder bulging (how I am NOT sure...never heard that one before). Anyway they did an in/out catheter and got 300ml of urine which is HEAPS. As soon as they did it, with the full bladder out of the way baby popped out.

Tobily the bladder shows as an extra little bulge just above the pubic bone especially during contractions. The woman was lucky, it can be very dangerous. Aside from blocking the baby's descent, it can also cause a ruptured bladder, which is a life-threatening situation requiring immediate surgical intervention.

If you can't pee during labour try this; fill a bowl which fits into the hole in the loo (put the seat up to make a bigger hole, you can also use a stiz bath if there is one) with lovely warm water, arrange stools or buckets for you to put your feet on when you're on the loo and an assistant/stable chair to lean on. Sit on the loo, with your yoni in the warm water, put your feet up to sink lower into the water, then lean forwards so your bump is hanging a bit - lean on the chair or have your assistant hold you under the arms. Wait out any contractions while you do this, and when you're between them let your mouth hang open and think about "letting go" to pee. If this doesn't work you can try physically holding the bottom of your bump "up" off your pubic bone as you lean forwards, but you REALLY need an assistant for that to keep you steady.

It sounds ridiculous but it has helped a few people i know, one of whom had a "walking epi" and wanted to avoid the catheter (she used the position, but not the water as she had no sensation). If nothing else it will make you laugh and that's great for labour!

If you want you can put some oil in the water, which will be beautiful for your Yoni, and will help you stay supple down there, and if you have it, a bit of rose oil or clary sage can help with the labour too (use only with advice of an aromatherapist!).

**2CheekyMonkeys** · April 15th, 2008, 08:09 AM

oh my god! i had the same thing and i just thought i was some kind of wierdo!! i remember that i was conscious of drinking and going to the toilet frequently but nothing would come out. it was getting more and more painful and i found that i would have pains in between contractions as well and i think that it could have been to do with this full bladder. eventually the midwife gave me an internal and as she had her hands up there i had a contraction and a gush of fluid came out, she told me it was urine! GROSS i was so embarrassed. anyway pretty much after that she recommended that i have an epidural and a whole heap of urine came out with the catheter. i too wish to avoid that whole scenario next time round so i am eagerly reading these responses.

and its nice to know i'm not the only one!

**Tobily** · April 15th, 2008, 10:14 AM

Tobily the bladder shows as an extra little bulge just above the pubic bone especially during contractions. The woman was lucky, it can be very dangerous. Aside from blocking the baby's descent, it can also cause a ruptured bladder, which is a life-threatening situation requiring immediate surgical intervention.

).

Wow hoobley that's really interesting. With the amount of urine that come out I also wondered if there was a risk of injury to the bladder, the mum did say that she was having trouble for about 36 hours afterwards and I thought it may have been a bit injured or bruised.
I hadn't heard of it actually rupturing though it makes total sense when I think about it. Eek.

paradise lost · April 15th, 2008, 10:25 AM

Just being cath'd at all can make you swollen enough inside you're urethra that it's hard to pee for a day or two and some women have bruising there too from the urethra being squished between the baby's head and the pubic bone.

Usually once the bladder is emptied it's "crisis averted" but in the rare cases when it ruptures it really IS a crisis. Ina May Gaskin says, in Spiritual Midwifery (Fourth Edition) "Make sure that her bladder is empty before the mother starts pushing. This will make room for the baby's head to pass through. Sometimes the mother won't have the urge to pee and you will need to remind her. Emptying the bladder will also prevent its possible laceration in the second stage. If the mother can't empty her bladder and it is full, let your doctor know. She may need to be catheterised. The mothers lower abdomen should never look like this (Fig. 56)" Figure 56 shows the bulge caused by a full bladder. I think basically when you can see it like that it is a dangerous situation.

**AnyDream** · April 15th, 2008, 10:28 AM

When it happened to me I was in sooo much pain - I'm not surprised now that I read it can rupture your bladder! The midwife was OBLIVIOUS but the registrar noticed as soon as she came in to check on me. Hmmm wonder if I had the tell-tale bulge?

**alioops** · April 15th, 2008, 10:35 AM

I don't remember having the urge, maybe I did, that stage is a blur now. I did try weeing on the toilet and over a dish, but I just couldn't. I did have one morning with this pregnancy where I could not wee, it was not until I went swimming that morning that it all came out. Yes, I know not to wee in the pool, but at that point I had no control it just kept on coming

Better remember to ask the midwives this week if they know.

Hun if the pool helped to get it out maybe you could have a bath? baths also help thing stretch and help you to relax

if it was a public pool that does childrens swimming lesson I would not worry about weeing in the pool, all the little ones in swim nappies do it and those nappies only hold poo in.

**Astrid** · April 15th, 2008, 10:45 AM

Well there is a bath at home, but not at hospital. So lets hope I have no trouble this time around. At least last time the midwives were very aware and were trying to get me to wee. Yes it was a kiddie's pool, do it I did not feel too bad, but still would have prefered to not have done.

**Schmickers** · April 15th, 2008, 10:55 AM

ETA: Didn't notice that several other posters had also answered this question, sorry...

Sometimes, if the mother has a full bladder at the start of labour, the descent of the head can "pinch" it and prevent it emptying fully.

It is often a good idea to go to the toilet regularly, if you are able, during labour, for that reason - to try and keep your bladder relatively empty. And keep drinking, too, to prevent you getting too dehydrated.

**2CheekyMonkeys** · April 15th, 2008, 03:54 PM

i did go to the toilet regularly but it just wouldnt come out.! i drank heaps of water to begin with but once i had trouble urinating i kinda stopped drinking cause i didnt want to pop!

**Alan** · April 15th, 2008, 04:39 PM

Being unable to wee during labour is not all that uncommon. There are a few things that can cause you to be unable to wee
It can be difficult to wee when strangers can see/hear what you are doing also the anxiety of the birth and being in a strange place will not help. Pressure from your baby can cause the urethra to kink and prevent you emptying your bladder. This pressure can also trap urine in your bladder by pressing your bladder between the baby?s head and your pubic bone. The baby could also press on the nerve that tells your brain that your bladder is full. If this happens your brain does not know that you need to wee. The baby could also press on another nerve that causes your sphincter (a small muscle that lets the urine out of your bladder) to open. If this happens you will be able to feel the need to wee but not able to pass urine.
It is very important to try to keep your bladder empty. If your bladder is full it can rupture, it can also slow down or even stop you being able to give birth.
If you do have trouble having a wee then you could try different positions on the toilet even sitting facing the wrong way can help. I have not heard of Hobley?s solution before but it sounds like a good idea.