Do you need to get a cathedar if you are getting an epidural?

Question

also must you get an iv if you are in labor?

Answer 1

I work in a hospital that does over 5000 births a year, and most vaginal deliveries opt to have an epidural. They do not routinely get a catheter inserted for the labor experience. Once the baby is delivered, before they go to their postpartum room they usually have their bladder emptied by having a catheter inserted long enough to drain their bladder - then it is removed.
As for the IV, if you want an epidural, you will need to have IV access, in case of an emergency, so they can give you medications. Sometimes having the epidural will cause a temporary drop in your blood pressure and you will need some extra fluids (through the IV) to help stabilize your BP.

Answer 2

When you're in labor and have an epidural, they straight cath you every so often to drain your bladder. An epidural does NOT make you incontinent, therefore they don't always leave the catheter in during the whole labor, in fact, I've never heard of them doing that. As for the IV, yes, they pump you full of fluids until you feel like you're swimming in your own skin (depending on the length of your labor). Also, the IV came in handy for me, because I didn't want the epidural until I HAD to have it, so they were able to give me some pain meds through the IV first while we were waiting for the Anesthesiologist to come for the epidural. Good luck if you're looking forward to this. Trust me...it's not bad, you forget about it soon after, and the baby is TOTALLY worth it! :)

Answer 3

With an epidural, they put a catheter in your spine for the medication and also give you a catheter for urine because you are numb and cannot move. As for getting an IV when you are in labor-- that depends what kind of birth you choose. You can have the baby at home with a midwife, in the hospital with no drugs or yell at them as you walk into the hospital-- " I want drugs (or an epidural!)" It is your body, you can decide. Talk to your doctor about your wishes and make sure he/she will comply.

Answer 4

With my daughter, I had an epidural and NO catheter. But, my labor was fast(5 hours). They mentioned something about putting one in, but there wasn't enough time. I also had the epidural turned off 20 mins after they put it in because my contractions stopped.
The second part of your question. I think anytime you deliver a baby in the hospital they give you an IV. They had to stick my hand 13 times to get it in.

Answer 5

They almost always put in an IV when you are in labor. the catheter is used when needed. I had an epidural, didn't have a catheter. Then when I was pushing and nothing was happening they realized my bladder was full, then with a catheter emptied my bladder and out the baby came. And you don't feel anything when they are doing it. I was freaked out about but it was fine and once my bladder was empty they took it out. So - No problem

Answer 6

You know with my first I got SOOO lucky and got to have an epidural. They did the catheter and honestly it didn't bother me one bit. Especially since I didn't even have to think about going to the bathroom that way and it was the last thing on my mind, it was a relief and to be honest if you start feeling like you have to poo then that's usually indicative of push time since actually pushing and giving birth feels exactly like the hugest case of constipation you will EVER have.

If you do have a catheter and it is uncomfortable then tell them in no uncertain terms to take it out and try again because it is NOT supposed to hurt! You shouldn't even be able to feel it.

Answer 7

I can only tell you my own experience... I had 2 C Sections and had to have a catheter because it is surgery. I don't think you need one if you are delivering vaginally but I do not know for sure.

Answer 8

Yes you need one because you are numb and cannot get up to go to the bathrooom by yourself because your legs are numb...duh

Yes you need an IV while in labor because you need fluids and other medication if necessary.

Answer 9

I don't know about vaginal but with my c-section i had to get a catheder. I went into premature labor and had to have an emergency c-section, but when they put my catheder in, I wasn't numb-make sure to ask them to make you numb before they put a catheder in! It hurt quite a bit when they did it, but I dealt with it.

Answer 10

They give you one. I don't understand why. Giving birth to my daughter, everytime you push water comes out and you usually pee or poop on yourself anyways. I don't understand why the catheter.....