Re: Totally Irrational Birth Worry

i had a vaginal birth and an epidural.

if you have an epidural you have to have a catheter--but it's not put in permanently. they put it in to drain your bladder and take it right out.

you don't feel ANYTHING because of the epidural!

so it is nothing to worry about at all!

Re: Totally Irrational Birth Worry

I had one each time...3 vag. deliveries. It didn't hurt nor did I notice it. They put it in after the epi so I felt nothing and it was nice to have the feeling of needing to go be relieved.

And yes, it's necessary after delivery cuz the epi doesn't wear off for awhile.

Re: Totally Irrational Birth Worry

i had an epi so i'm sure i was cathed also... but since the epidural is the best thing since sliced bread, i didn't feel a thing

Re: Totally Irrational Birth Worry

Not irrational at all- I'm petrified of getting another catheter! After i had my appendix out, I couldn't pee for whatever reason so they gave me a catheter....It was so painful (I think I was swollen from the one they put in and took out during the surgery). They told me in a few minutes I wouldnt feel it- I cried for about 15 minutes and then insisted they get it out! It was such a bad experience that I NEVER want one again

Re: Totally Irrational Birth Worry

This is one of my biggest fears too! I a am ideally going to try for no epi bc of horror stories I heard about them, but you never know how much pain you can take until you are in that situation, so we'll see. I hope I will not even realize I am getting a cath!

Re: Totally Irrational Birth Worry

I had one with my vaginal birth but I got induced however as soon as I gave birth it was removed

Re: Totally Irrational Birth Worry

Re: Totally Irrational Birth Worry

You need a foley if they put in an epidural.

Re: Totally Irrational Birth Worry

I don't think you're being irrational. Everyone has their worries. I think I would not like a catheder very much either! lol
XOXOXO
BOTB

Re: Totally Irrational Birth Worry

I had 2 vaginal births both with an epidural and I had a catheter put in both times. They put it in after the epidural is in effect and take it out right before you start pushing (at least that is what they did both times for me). I didn't feel it go in or come out. I really wouldn't worry about it.

Re: Totally Irrational Birth Worry

I had to have one b/c I had an epidural. I would've needed one anyway since I ended up with a c-section. I felt it being inserted and was a little uncomfortable afterwards. I didn't feel it being taken out several hours after the c-section though.

Re: Totally Irrational Birth Worry

Posted by Goobster

Posted by neener1211

Posted by mzsocialworker1

I HAVE heard though the epidural hurts like a mofo going in. And OFTEN wears off..........

The epidural needle was easy as pie!! The numbing shot is the one you feel. Honestly, the contractions were more painful than either of the needles. I didn't want an epidural, but wound up with one, I couldn't take the contractions. Staying still while getting the epidural is hard, but your nurse helps so much!

As for the cathader, I didn't fee a thing bc i was all numb and in my happy place from feeling no more pain.

In my experience, the epidural didn't hurt at all. I told the dr who did it that I have had more painful paper cuts in my lifetime, and they all laughed in the OR when I said that. True though.

Re: Totally Irrational Birth Worry

I had a v-birth without an epidural and did not need or have one. I was afraid of this stuff too!

Re: Totally Irrational Birth Worry

I didn't have a choice with my C-section. It went in as I was prepped for surgery and didn't come out until 24 hrs. later. It wasn't something I was looking forward to but honestly, I didn't even notice it since I was numb from the spinal and by the time I did notice it was ready to come out. I was SO happy I had it because let me tell you, if I had to get out of bed after my C-section that first day I would've DIED. I went to the bathroom a lot because of all the IV fluid they give you and there was NO way I would've been able to get myself to the bathroom. The pain was insane in those first 2 days. Trust me, when you're in the moment and having the baby and dealing with the recovery it's the last thing you'll even be thinking about.

Re: Totally Irrational Birth Worry

I had an eipidural (only in for about an hour) so I never had a catheter.