Ok, i've never had a section OR a catheter - my closest experience is having a urethral swab taken when i had a UTI - got my legs crossed tightly right now!!!

Talk to anyone who will listen, and use the word "consent" - consent is a powerful legal term. "i would prefer to have the catheter in after i'm numb" is a best-case-scenario preference. "I do not consent to having the catheter placed before i am numb" is a fair warning that you're not mucking about, there WILL be a lawsuit, and they'd better remember it! Ask your Ob to write it on your notes in big writing (you can make them write it - i made mine write "does not consent to chemical induction" even though it was effectively putting handcuffs on him, he HAD to do it! LOL).

If you have done this and a nurse still arrives pre-anaesthatist with a cath pack PUT YOUR KNEES TOGETHER and tell them they can place it just as soon as the anaesthatist has done their thing, as per your notes.

Ladies just because you're having surgery DOES NOT mean THEY are in control. It is YOUR baby, YOUR body, YOUR birth. The answer to "It's hospital policy to place the cath first" is "It is MY policy not to allow that". You're in charge, don't forget!

Bx