postpartum urinary retention please help me

[GabberQueeN]

Hi everyone, i had my DS last saturday and ever since the birth i have not been able to tell when i have to pee.

I have to self cath and i feel like i'm never going to be able to go to the toilet on my own ever again, the docs keep telling me any day now and i still haven't gone without using a catheter.

I feel so alone nobody knows what to say to me and i feel like dying.

has anyone had this before i feel embarrassed taling about this but i need help or someone who has had this happen.

And does your bladder go back to normal?

All i want to do is go to the bathroom without having to force it out by using a catheter...

Please move mods if this is not the right place to put this.

[GabberQueeN]

i guess nobody has been thru this.

[STARRYSKY]

Hi gq, I had something similar but didnt need to self catheter.
to be perfectly honest, even now sometimes I think, gee, I havent been to the loo for awhile..., and I had ds over a year ago!
I had a c section though, I was told that it would all go back to normal, a nevrve thing etc, its not as bad as it was but , yeah..
I hope it resolves itself very soon for you.

[GabberQueeN]

Hi gq, I had something similar but didnt need to self catheter.
to be perfectly honest, even now sometimes I think, gee, I havent been to the loo for awhile..., and I had ds over a year ago!
I had a c section though, I was told that it would all go back to normal, a nevrve thing etc, its not as bad as it was but , yeah..
I hope it resolves itself very soon for you.

I'm so glad it all came back for you hopefully i'll be the same... but atm it just doesn't seem like it will.

[Inanna]

It's fine not to get up in the night. Your body naturally makes less urine at night because you are not drinking or eating. So don't worry about that. I would stick to third hourly catheterisation just to make sure your bladder doesn't get too stretched... Let's know how you go xxx

PS: Also make sure you your urine doesn't smell or sting - catheterisation can lead to UTI... Also drink plenty of water...

[GabberQueeN]

It's fine not to get up in the night. Your body naturally makes less urine at night because you are not drinking or eating. So don't worry about that. I would stick to third hourly catheterisation just to make sure your bladder doesn't get too stretched... Let's know how you go xxx

PS: Also make sure you your urine doesn't smell or sting - catheterisation can lead to UTI... Also drink plenty of water...

Ahh ok cool. i have been very very clean. let's hope i don't get an UTI that would be my last straw.

I guess this isn't to common?? everyone i talk to has no idea about it?

[Inanna]

I am sorry honey I only just saw this. Yes, it's happened to me. After every birth I have had to have an in and out catheter & for me that was enough. However, it does happen so you are not alone.
Your bladder will get back to normal again in time. Have you seen a continence nurse? A urologist? Have you had an u/s of your bladder?

I'm a small person and my babies were all big I think that for me is what did it. Though I do have to say even after Imogen I had the same problem. After Immy was born I couldn't wee properly for about 4 weeks. I had IDC on and off... It was horrible and I certainly have much sympathy for you.

If I can answer anything more let me know...

[GabberQueeN]

I am sorry honey I only just saw this. Yes, it's happened to me. After every birth I have had to have an in and out catheter & for me that was enough. However, it does happen so you are not alone.
Your bladder will get back to normal again in time. Have you seen a continence nurse? A urologist? Have you had an u/s of your bladder?

I'm a small person and my babies were all big I think that for me is what did it. Though I do have to say even after Imogen I had the same problem. After Immy was born I couldn't wee properly for about 4 weeks. I had IDC on and off... It was horrible and I certainly have much sympathy for you.

If I can answer anything more let me know...

Thankgod someone i can talk to i'm just so depressed i did pee two days ago but now can't go again. the docs just keep saying the same thing it will get better with time.

I just feel i'm not enjoy my bubs because of this.
I'm not seeing a urologist yet but seeing a continence nurse but i don't find her really helpful.
what's a IDC? and did you start peeing good after 4 weeks?
thanks so so much for answering this thread

[Inanna]

Poor honey Yes, I did start to wee normally after 4 weeks. I had the same problem last year after I had a hysterectomy. I just couldn't pee...

I know how depressing it is - it's horrid. If you are not happy with your continence nurse please get another one. This is important - vital for you to get the best care and therefore the best outcome. We all gel differently with different people. So don't feel bad - but I do urge you to get a referral to someone different. Hopefully she will have explained to you that you need to retrain your bladder. Sometimes there can be nerve damage from all that pressure & it takes a bit more time to retrain your bladder. Sometimes it can happen if you don't empty your bladder during labour. It's very important that you don't allow your bladder to over fill as this stretches it (think of it as a balloon) & can cause permanent damage. So, catheterise yourself as per your instructions from your nurse. An IDC is (an indwelling catheter) - so the catheter is in there & a little balloon is filled up with some saline & this keeps the catheter in place - so it can't fall out. Sometimes this can help with retraining as when you get the sensation of a fullish bladder you empty (or every 2-3 hours whichever comes first). This worked for me - both after Immy and after the hysterectomy.

I truly feel your pain & I can understand how this is overshadowing your time with your little one. Have you spoken to a postnatal physio? A consult with a urologist also would be something I would highly recommend. Big cuddles

[GabberQueeN]

Poor honey Yes, I did start to wee normally after 4 weeks. I had the same problem last year after I had a hysterectomy. I just couldn't pee...

I know how depressing it is - it's horrid. If you are not happy with your continence nurse please get another one. This is important - vital for you to get the best care and therefore the best outcome. We all gel differently with different people. So don't feel bad - but I do urge you to get a referral to someone different. Hopefully she will have explained to you that you need to retrain your bladder. Sometimes there can be nerve damage from all that pressure & it takes a bit more time to retrain your bladder. Sometimes it can happen if you don't empty your bladder during labour. It's very important that you don't allow your bladder to over fill as this stretches it (think of it as a balloon) & can cause permanent damage. So, catheterise yourself as per your instructions from your nurse. An IDC is (an indwelling catheter) - so the catheter is in there & a little balloon is filled up with some saline & this keeps the catheter in place - so it can't fall out. Sometimes this can help with retraining as when you get the sensation of a fullish bladder you empty (or every 2-3 hours whichever comes first). This worked for me - both after Immy and after the hysterectomy.

I truly feel your pain & I can understand how this is overshadowing your time with your little one. Have you spoken to a postnatal physio? A consult with a urologist also would be something I would highly recommend. Big cuddles

i feel sooo much better now you have explained some things to me she said i should drain my bladder every 4-6 hours which i have been doing but more like 3 hrs.
I asked about seeing a urologist but me doc and her think it's not needed just yet.

i do have one question, i sleep for about 7 hours a night is that bad that i don't wake up to drain the bladder?