How bad does having a cathader hurt?

Question

Im pregnant and i have 2 have a cathader when i have my
c-section...Ive never had a cathader before and im worried about the pain factor.

Answer 1

A correctly inserted catheter can't even be felt. They will insert the catheter when they are fixing you up after delivery, whilst you are still under anaesthetic (either general or epidural, whatever you have arranged for).

It won't hurt at all, unless someone accidentally sits on the tube and pulls on it! Even then all you will feel is discomfort, not pain. So long as you don't overdo it you'll be fine. The catheter should be attached to a portable collection bag so you can take it with you to the shower etc, it won't make you bed-bound. And it really, truly will not hurt.

However trust me, after the c-section itself a catheter will be the least of your concerns. :-)

When it comes time to remove the catheter it may feel a little strange, but this shouldn't hurt either - it's more of a sensation, rather like someone touching your arm - you can feel it but it's not necessarily painful.

Be sure and keep up your fluids when you have a catheter in, it helps keep things running smoothly and minimises the risk of infection. Your caregivers will keep tabs on how much urine you are passing and whether it looks healthy or not - but 99% of the time things are fine.

Best of luck.

Answer 2

I wish that I would have had the luck that the rest of you ladies did....with my first daughter I was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia at 35 wks and they had to induce. Because of this, I had to have a catheter put in......to this day I believe that is one of the worst feelings I've ever had. I'm not sure if it was a combination of factors relating to this or if it was just not put in right, but I requested an epidural an hour later because I couldn't stand the pain....until that point I'd been doing good with the labor pains.
This being said.....last year right before I had my second daughter they had to put another in before one of my exams. Needless to say I was in tears at the thought of going through that again.....however this time it was merely uncomfortable. I believe that generally they do not hurt, and besides once that little one arrives all thoughts of pain are gone.

Answer 3

Doesn't hurt at all, and after running to the bathroom every 30 minutes for the last 9 months its a nice break too. You do have an increased risk for bladder infection (UTI) with a catheter, so drink lots of cranberry juice and if you have any burning call your doctor and get tested.

Answer 4

I was numbed before they even put mine in. I couldn't even feel it. You can feel it when they take it out though. It doesn't hurt at all. Just feels like hard pee... I know that doesn't make much sense but that is the only way I can explain it.

Answer 5

It is alled a cathaTER, it doesn't hurt. But everywhere you go in the hospital you have to carry around a bag of piss. I made them remove mine the evening after my C section.

Answer 6

It doesn't hurt, just uncomfortable at first. Believe me it will be the last thing on your mind once it's in. Good Luck and Congrats!

Answer 7

you wont feel it if they do it after the epidural has taken effect - i had one less than 3 weeks ago and didnt feel a thing and i like you was terrified of the thought

Answer 8

I don't think that it's too painful for a women. But i've heard that it hurts like hell for a man because they have to put it right up the hole in their penis.

Answer 9

If its done right you dun feel a thing just hope that they dun go in the wrong "hole" for your sake.

Answer 10

the first time i had one was with my first son i was in labor and they had to put one in it hurt alittle but is a pain that you can handle with the second one i was asleep when they pull it out it stings alittle bit.