Do you have to have one?

Question

I am 37 weeks pregnant and I due to go into labor anyday now. I have that when you are in labor you have to have a catheter. I also heard it's painful to insert. Do I have to let them put me one???? Please someone let me know!

Answer 1

You only need a catheter if you have an epidural. I went natural with both my kids so I never needed one, BUT, my sister had one for reasons other than pregnancy and she said yes, it is extremely painful. If you do get the epidural, tell them that you want the catheter put in AFTER the epidural has taken effect. They will try to tell you "oh it doesn't hurt, it'll only take a second " but don't listen. Remember, you as a patient have the right to refuse anything you don't agree with, it's your labor, not theirs. Good luck.

Answer 2

I just had a baby 2 weeks ago and they never put a catheter in me. The only time I had a catheter was when I went into early labor at 32 weeks and they had to monitor my urine output because I was dehydrated. It could be different though where you are. If you get an epidural though you won't feel it. Epidurals are the greatest invention since sliced bread.

Answer 3

I have a long hisotry with catheters. I have kidney stones and bladder issues. Most hospitals MAKE you have a cath during labor. I didnt let them do when when I was in labor with my twins and I regret it terribly because the medicine I was on made me have severe edema swelling in my legs and I couldnt wear shoes or even some of my pants for 2 weeks.

Are you going to get an epidural? If so they usually put one in AFTER the epidural because you can't get up to walk to the bathroom, if you don't get an epidural you might not need one. In that case you can't even feel them giving it to you.

It is fairly uncomfortable, it burns for a min or so when the put it in, but after that as long as you don't wiggle the cath around you don't really feel it. In the big sceme of things in labor it true is nothing. Not a big deal to get at all, the labor pains will be worse than some little tube that helps you pee.


Oh and I have had a nurse do one so quick and easily that I didn't even know she did it! It was great.

Just ask your doctor what your options are. You might not need one but remember if you do, its not that bad and its worth it for your body and your baby in the long run.

Answer 4

I had to have a catheter inserted when I had kidney stones and it was painful for me. I did not however had to have one placed inside of me when I was in labor. They will ask you for a urine sample and if you are unable to produce one, then they might do this do this to you or if you request to have an epidural, since you wont be able to feel anything from below. Everyone is different. Good luck to you:-)

Answer 5

I don't think they HAVE to put one in. Honestly, a catheter is not that painful to insert, because they SHOULD use a numbing gel. That being said, even if it hurt for that second, that pain would be the LEAST of your concerns. Giving birth will be MUCH more painful and you won't have meds the whole time, so I hope you've taken a childbirthing class to prepare. Congrats and good luck!

Answer 6

You receive a catheter when you have an epidural, as you can not feel anything below your belly. Mine have always been inserted after the epidural so I have never felt them.

Answer 7

I'm not sure that it's entirely necessary, but if you do need one, just remember to relax. It smarts a little going in, but if you relax and hold still, it shouldn't be so bad at all. Just remember what the end result is!

I haven't given birth, but I've had catheters before.

Answer 8

i had two children
the first one i did have one
i didnt feel it cause of my intrathegal (like an epydural but better)
my second
i didnt have one because my labor was induced and going very very slowly so they gave me a tiny shot in an epyduryl (they really suck) and it relaxed me enough to dialate instantly
and there she came cruising out
no time that time
doc didnt even have his gloves on yet
here she is squeezin out and docs goin "wait wait...were not ready" =)


so youll probably have one
but if youre going to have "drugs" youll be fine
if not
couldnt tell you
i had a small cath once for only a second
for something unrelated
they call it a half cath it goes in and extracts pee and then its out
and yes it did hurt going in
it wasnt the worst pain ever but i sure knew it was happening
talk to the doc let him know youre afraid of it

have to add like the one girl said
theyll tell you its doesnt hurt
it does shes right
but again
if you have drugs you wont feel it
good luck

Answer 9

I never felt mine at all. My doctor inserted a catheter after the epidural, and I felt nothing.

Answer 10

I only had a cath with my first, because I got an epidural. If you plan on getting an epidural then you will most likely get a cath. But the good news is they put it in after the epidural, so you do not feel it. You have to get one because you do not feel the urge to pee and will just pee all over the place.