[Mumof2Devils]

Gave birth to my third child on Tuesday (4 days ago) and she was a breech vaginal birth. Unexpected though, because until we got to the hospital and the midwife said "uh oh, feel a bum" we had no idea. Anyway, was too late for any other option and I had the urge to push so away we went, and as painful as it was there was no tearing and she was born only 3 hours after my contractions started. Anyway, that all went well and I thought "woohoo!"

Only a few hours later I couldn't pee. Just could not go at all, and didn't really feel the urge. They finally put in an "in/out" catheter, and got out 2 litres of urine!! Apparently MUCH more than they are happy with as they worry about damage to the bladder. They let me go for another 4 hours and this time I had to ask the nurse to put one in as again I couldn't pee (well I got out 100ml but it too forever and I didn't feel like I had done it) and I could feel pressure in my bladder (which is a good thing I guess) and this time they got out just over a litre.

That catheter is still in and I have to have it in for 2 weeks as they say my bladder needs to rest. I had to go shopping yesterday to buy some loose pants/dresses to hide the leg bag (so sexy) and after only half an hour of walking around very carefully I already had a lot of blood in the bag (looked like cranberry juice) and was feeling really uncomfortable. Apprently this is normal and you just need to rest, but I don't know how to manage 2 weeks of this!

I don't want to leave the house. It is uncomfortable to sit (makes breastfeeding fun), I can feel it moving around inside me like an itchy, tickly sometimes slightly stabby feeling, it is horrible being in the car (haven't tried to drive yet) it is taped to my leg as I am terrified of it being pulled and showers take a LONG time. Trying to hide it from the kids too as I think it will freak them out. I know people live with these and I only (hopefully) will have it for another 11 days, but it is sooooo horrible! And then I have this slight fear that it will never come out. That when the take it out on the 27th I still won't be able to pee and it will go in again. I have a new respect for people that have to live with one long term. Sigh. Anyway, whinge over. Anyone else out there had to have a catheter after giving birth?

[fairymagic]

Overdistension of the bladder can cause long term damage so with you unable to wee after the birth and your bladder holding 1000ml and 2000ml, that is a lot more than normal. Normally, when you wee you pass between 200 - 600ml urine - this is the amount that is acceptable when we do trial of voids at our hospital. By leaving the catheter in for a period of time, it allows any bruising or damage to settle down and heal making it easier to pass wee once the catheter comes out.

Blood in the urine however, is a concern. It can just be caused by irritation of the catheter but I would be asking for a referral to a urologist.

We have had in the past a couple of women postnatally and post surgery require catheters for up to two weeks to "rest" their bladders and then come into hospital for up to 24hours for a trial of void. Keep an eye on the urine - if blood is evident regularly I would be making sure your treating Dr knows about it.

[whoisme]

Sorry I can't help you.

My concern is the blood in your urine. This is NOT normal.

I urge you to go to your GP as soon as possible and get a second opinion.

[ms flib]

Can you ring the midwives at your hospital and ask them?

[duckasorus]

DD got stuck in my pelvis ending in c section.

i was in and out of hospital for a week due to bladder issues. at one stage i wasnt able to pee all day so got rushed to hospital and filled two bags! i had to stay in for two night while they kept a eye on me making sure i could empty bladder.
i was very sore for a few weeks after and now two years later when i have to go i have to go now.
when i came home from hospital i had to time wheni went to the toilet as i had lost all urge till i was about to burst.

[Sunnycat]

My mum had a catheter in for 2 weeks or so after giving birth to my brother 30+ years ago. His massive head crushed everything. She was able to pee again and didn't suffer any long term bladder problems.