Trouble emptying bladder during labour

[Astrid]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[Schmickers]

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.