What are the risks of refusing a catheter in labor?

[Anonymous]

Any catherization carries a risk. If I have to straight cath you once or twice, the risk is equal or lower: however, if sterile technique isn't used, each time increases risk. Also, if its postpartum and you are bleeding, it is harder to keep the area clean.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Saw midwife today. She suggested I make an appt. with the anesthesiologist at the hospital to see what options he might offer. Does anyone know if there is such a thing as a "light" epidural that would make it more likely I would pee on my own?

[Anonymous]

I had two unmedicated births and pushing did not feel good, but I would say with your 3rd and risk of uti's I would definitely go unmedicated. You can do it! The temporary pain is worth it in the long run to avoid getting sick, right??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Saw midwife today. She suggested I make an appt. with the anesthesiologist at the hospital to see what options he might offer. Does anyone know if there is such a thing as a "light" epidural that would make it more likely I would pee on my own?

Doula here. Yes, I've seen light epidurals done but always with a cath. It allows you more sensation for pushing but definitely not able to walk to bathroom. Maybe a bedpan in the bed? Not sure. That's a question for the anesthesiologist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looking for nurses or OBs who may be on this board to answer a question: if I refuse a urinary catheter during an epidural (assuming I get the epidural around 6-7 cm), what risks am I assuming?

I absolutely refuse urethral catheterization under any circumstances (I also refuse any and all anal/rectal exams and interventions, gynecological exams that aren't essential for my baby's safety, unnecessary exposure of my person, observers, students, and male practitioners.). These are so important to me that several years ago I clearly stated them in notarized advance directives, specifying that I still refuse even if I face certain death as a result and stating that I will prosecute under medical battery statutes if catheterization (or other forbidden procedures) are performed against my will or while I'm unconscious. I am an intelligent, educated woman who knows and accepts the risks associated with my preferences. I have my reasons so please don't judge me or try to change my mind. I need a cesarean for health reasons. Is general anaesthesia a better option than regionall for a cesarea without catheterization? Ha anyone had a cesarean without urinary catheterization? Performed one? I have been told by one OB that they will not do the cesarean without a cath. I am really hoping to find a provider who will agree to honor my choices from the start, but if I can't find one and still continue to refuse the cath, will the hospital perform the emergency cesarean anyway or let me die without one?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looking for nurses or OBs who may be on this board to answer a question: if I refuse a urinary catheter during an epidural (assuming I get the epidural around 6-7 cm), what risks am I assuming?

I absolutely refuse urethral catheterization under any circumstances (I also refuse any and all anal/rectal exams and interventions, gynecological exams that aren't essential for my baby's safety, unnecessary exposure of my person, observers, students, and male practitioners.). These are so important to me that several years ago I clearly stated them in notarized advance directives, specifying that I still refuse even if I face certain death as a result and stating that I will prosecute under medical battery statutes if catheterization (or other forbidden procedures) are performed against my will or while I'm unconscious. I am an intelligent, educated woman who knows and accepts the risks associated with my preferences. I have my reasons so please don't judge me or try to change my mind. I need a cesarean for health reasons. Is general anaesthesia a better option than regionall for a cesarea without catheterization? Ha anyone had a cesarean without urinary catheterization? Performed one? I have been told by one OB that they will not do the cesarean without a cath. I am really hoping to find a provider who will agree to honor my choices from the start, but if I can't find one and still continue to refuse the cath, will the hospital perform the emergency cesarean anyway or let me die without one?

Am I reading this correctly? You have a directive that indicates that you would rather die than be treated by a male doctor?

[Anonymous]

Can't they have you pee in a bedpan before pushing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looking for nurses or OBs who may be on this board to answer a question: if I refuse a urinary catheter during an epidural (assuming I get the epidural around 6-7 cm), what risks am I assuming?

I absolutely refuse urethral catheterization under any circumstances (I also refuse any and all anal/rectal exams and interventions, gynecological exams that aren't essential for my baby's safety, unnecessary exposure of my person, observers, students, and male practitioners.). These are so important to me that several years ago I clearly stated them in notarized advance directives, specifying that I still refuse even if I face certain death as a result and stating that I will prosecute under medical battery statutes if catheterization (or other forbidden procedures) are performed against my will or while I'm unconscious. I am an intelligent, educated woman who knows and accepts the risks associated with my preferences. I have my reasons so please don't judge me or try to change my mind. I need a cesarean for health reasons. Is general anaesthesia a better option than regionall for a cesarea without catheterization? Ha anyone had a cesarean without urinary catheterization? Performed one? I have been told by one OB that they will not do the cesarean without a cath. I am really hoping to find a provider who will agree to honor my choices from the start, but if I can't find one and still continue to refuse the cath, will the hospital perform the emergency cesarean anyway or let me die without one?

You have to have a catheter with a cesarean section. You aren't getting out of bed for about eight hours until your epidural or spinal (or general) wear off, and even then they keep the cath in at least overnight. There is no one who is going to perform surgery like that without a catheter because you physically cannot get up for several hours, and after that you're supposed to have assistance to get up an go anywhere (you'll have a flashy little bracelet for a few days that says FALL RISK).

So you'd rather die than have a catheter? This isn't "honoring choices," this is bananas. I have a hard time believing this is a legitimate post.

Anyone know what happened with OP? OP, are you still out there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I absolutely refuse urethral catheterization under any circumstances (I also refuse any and all anal/rectal exams and interventions, gynecological exams that aren't essential for my baby's safety, unnecessary exposure of my person, observers, students, and male practitioners.). These are so important to me that several years ago I clearly stated them in notarized advance directives, specifying that I still refuse even if I face certain death as a result and stating that I will prosecute under medical battery statutes if catheterization (or other forbidden procedures) are performed against my will or while I'm unconscious. I am an intelligent, educated woman who knows and accepts the risks associated with my preferences. I have my reasons so please don't judge me or try to change my mind. I need a cesarean for health reasons. Is general anaesthesia a better option than regionall for a cesarea without catheterization? Ha anyone had a cesarean without urinary catheterization? Performed one? I have been told by one OB that they will not do the cesarean without a cath. I am really hoping to find a provider who will agree to honor my choices from the start, but if I can't find one and still continue to refuse the cath, will the hospital perform the emergency cesarean anyway or let me die without one?

If I were you, I would ask Jehovah's Witnesses (who refuse blood transfusions) which hospitals/OBs they work with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wasn't peeing in the water that I was giving birth in. I peed in the toilet before getting into the water to give birth. Not sure if there have been studies regarding water birth and UTIs, but I didn't get a UTI.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have not used an epidural so can't compare, but I've had two babies without medication. I found pushing to be quite satisfying, and less painful than the dilation stage of labor, since I was working with the sensation and pushing with it, rather than letting the pain wash over me, if that makes any sense. The pushing stage with my second baby was very short, and I hardly remember it. I think generally the pushing stages for second and third and subsequent babies are very short. I honestly don't remember the "ring of fire" all that much -- if anything it was encouraging to me because I knew the baby was almost born. I don't recall it lasting very long the first time, and the second time, I gave birth in water, and didn't feel it at all (maybe the water muted it? Not sure...). One of the reasons I wanted to give birth without medication is because I'm prone to UTIs and I know how awful they are, and I wanted to reduce my chance if at all possible. I was able to pee on my own throughout labor, and right after, which was great.

Anonymous wrote:OP again. Pushing is pleasant? Isn't it the most painful part (ring of fire?)

Pushing in water and peeing constantly won't cause UTI? Honest question.

While you're pushing it would be very difficult to pee.

To answer the question about pushing not being painful, for my first child it was a relief and uncomfortable but no-where near as painful as even the early stages of labor. For my second, the baby barreled his way out and it was so fast that it was scary. It was also just as painful as the earlier parts of labor. However, I did not have a "ring of fire" at all with either of them. OP, did you tear previously? You are less likely to tear with subsequent births and if you dont' tear or only tear minimally you likely won't feel any "ring of fire". For me, I also had significant numbness down there during this stage and for a few hours afterwards so I could barely feel anything directly on the skin.

[Anonymous]

I really don't think ninjas a catheter with my first. Vaginal delivery with epidural but it was all very fast. Maybe I am wrong and just didn't feel it but I was able to walk and use the bathroom on my own very shortly after giving birth. I delivered at georgetown...curious as to the norm there after reading this and now dreading it since I am due with my second any day now. Like op I get very very irritated and an automatic uti with a catheter.

[Anonymous]

^ ninjas!? That was a good autocorrect! Should say "I had".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. Pushing is pleasant? Isn't it the most painful part (ring of fire?)

Yes, pushing (for me) was much less painful than labor. When I felt the ring of fire, I was like, oh, I guess that's what people mean when they say ring of fire. It really didn't hurt that much and definitely was much more bearable than early labor.

[Anonymous]

I haven't read all the replies so I'm not sure if this discussion has completely diverged. And while I am not a doctor and someone with more medical knowledge can possibly clarify, I know my full bladder during/after labor played some sort of role in my uterus being unable to fully contract and ultimate postpartum hemorrhage. So I'd ask your doctor about that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Looking for nurses or OBs who may be on this board to answer a question: if I refuse a urinary catheter during an epidural (assuming I get the epidural around 6-7 cm), what risks am I assuming?

I absolutely refuse urethral catheterization under any circumstances (I also refuse any and all anal/rectal exams and interventions, gynecological exams that aren't essential for my baby's safety, unnecessary exposure of my person, observers, students, and male practitioners.). These are so important to me that several years ago I clearly stated them in notarized advance directives, specifying that I still refuse even if I face certain death as a result and stating that I will prosecute under medical battery statutes if catheterization (or other forbidden procedures) are performed against my will or while I'm unconscious. I am an intelligent, educated woman who knows and accepts the risks associated with my preferences. I have my reasons so please don't judge me or try to change my mind. I need a cesarean for health reasons. Is general anaesthesia a better option than regionall for a cesarea without catheterization? Ha anyone had a cesarean without urinary catheterization? Performed one? I have been told by one OB that they will not do the cesarean without a cath. I am really hoping to find a provider who will agree to honor my choices from the start, but if I can't find one and still continue to refuse the cath, will the hospital perform the emergency cesarean anyway or let me die without one?

This thread is 8 months old. Why are you bringing it back to life?

And what is your point? You'd rather die than have a catheter? You don't sound real ("I'm an intelligent, eductated woman...", blah blah blah) yet you won't accept the risks of a catheter given a life or death situation? Do you also refuse CPR in case a good samaritan may accidentally crack your rib?