Catheter to collect urine?

[LiddlePixie]

Hey everyone -

I'm booked for my CS in 8 days and am yet to meet with anyone about the operation so i have HEAPS of questions and i've been googling my bum off! something i can't find is in which order do they do things during the proceedure -

Do they give you the epidural first or the catheter to collect urine?
Is the catheter painful?
and
Why do i need one?

[Enchanted]

Hi Hayley,

How exciting that you have a date!

I didn't have a c-section but I had an epidural and they put the catheter in after the epidural was done, so you don't feel it. They put it in because the epidural numbs everything from your chest down, so you can't get up and go to the toilet. After the c-section you will obviously be a bit sore and it is much easier to have the catheter in if you are in pain and can't get up to go to the loo afterwards. I had to have my catheter in for 12 hours after I had my bubs just to be sure I was right to get up and go to the loo.

[{sarah}]

For mine, I was in labour first & already had the epidural in at the time, so can't comment on that. The catheter didn't hurt when it was in, but after it was out the first wee was a bit stingy then it was all good after that.

[little sprocket]

When u have a planned c-section u usually have a spinal block (thinner needle used and the same effectiveness according to the midwife and OB I was talking to the other day). I asked when they would put the cath in before or after the spinal block and they told me after so u wont feel a thing which is good cos its quite uncomfortable. They also dont break your waters until u are being operated on (I asked all these questions on Wednesday at the pre op consultation with the midwife at the hospital). This info could be different for other hospitals too. Hope it helped a bit though

[AnyDream]

LP, they put the catheter in because the bladder has to be completely empty otherwise (if it's full) it sits right over the area where the surgeon makes the incision. Keeping the bladder empty deflates it and keeps it out of the way. Also removes the need to go to the toilet for the first few hours afterwards before you get out of bed.

At our hospital, you can either choose to have the catheter put in in the privacy of a pre-surgical room (just you and a nurse) which is more private but you feel it (uncomfortable, I imagine). Or you can elect to wait until after the spinal has gone in (in theatre) which means you won't feel it but there will be more ppl in the room by then.

I'm opting to have it put in after the spinal, I'd rather be comfortable and I figure they'll all get a good look at my bottom end anyway!

[LiddlePixie]

I think i'll be choosing to have it after the spinal too (if i get the same choice). It really doesn't sound very nice.

I'd rather be comfortable and I figure they'll all get a good look at my bottom end anyway!

lol! I agree... If they all really want to have a peek i say go for it, Can't be shy during any kind of labour

[joralyd]

congrats Hayley!
I had an emergency C with my first and they put the catheter in before general but on the op table I remember it did feel uncomfortable, not painful but you knew something was happening. Then again I was in labour and didn't care what they did
Second time around I had an elective and a spinal block on the table and the catheter was put in after, infact until you mentioned it I hadn't even thought about when they put it in, I didn't feel a thing and they're down that end anyway. I think they have to massage your placenta manually and I'm not sure if that comes out your woohoo or the incission?? either way they put a pad on you post op and clean you up but you just are so overwhelmed and preoccupied you don't notice.
Coming out a nurse does it in your room and it didn't hurt for me although it does feel a bit weird when you have your first wee but nothing major and it goes back to normal very quick.

GOOD LUCK!

[AnyDream]

BTW - at our CS info session the nurse talked about having cranberry juice for a few days afterwards - helps prevent getting cystitis afterwards. So maybe stock up on a bottle or two!

[aussienic]

For both mine the put the catheter in first.. with my 2nd it was elective and I was in the day surgery area.. I went out the back they got me to shower and dress in a lovely gown.. then they came by and took all my obs. (pulse, BP ect) then they gave me this foul foul drink to keep tummy acid down (or something like that) then they inserted the catheter and then I got a IV started and then just waited.. all of 15 mins then they said it was my turn

I found the catheter didn't hurt at all the first time nor did it coming out but the 2nd time it hurt a little but I may have been anxious too. and it felt uncomfy coming out as well but once that was all said and done I was almost as good as new

I hope that helps some

Good luck

[LiddlePixie]

I think they have to massage your placenta manually and I'm not sure if that comes out your woohoo or the incission??

*Lol* There's another thing i hadn't thought of!

My pre-op appointment is tomorrow so i'll ask!

[aussienic]

I think they take out the placenta via your incision.. I had mine taken out that way and then with my 2nd c/s they massaged my tummy afterwards (in theatre) apparently has something to do with helping the uterus to start going back down to size quickly..

[sunnymel]

LP i had an emergency csection for my first & elective for my second - i chose to have the spinal block & use it after as pain relief for 24 hours - although i was restricted to bed i was up & around much quicker than after the first where i just had an epidural - something to ask about anyway - dont worry about the catheter pretty painless - only prob i had was that once i was up & about i still had it in (not sure why) & almost left it behind a few times - very stylish handbag to carry around - lol

[joralyd]

only prob i had was that once i was up & about i still had it in (not sure why) & almost left it behind a few times - very stylish handbag to carry around - lol

ROTFL!! ouch!!

LP let me know what they plan to do with your placenta I never thought to ask before I will put it on my list of questions for my ob