Catheter removal/ Recovery

Catheter feels a bit weird but didn’t hurt me at all. It’s a weird sensation however! It’s a super quick thing to remove too. Recovery for me was okay! I was up and about quite well after 2 weeks but took it slow for the full recommended 6 weeks. I just delegated most housework & household chores & tasks to my partner x

@Jess thanks so much Jess! Did you feel ok to tend to your baby afterwards? I’m of course expecting to be really sore but is it manageable? X

The thought of the catheter really freaked me out! But you cant really feel it, they took mine out the next day and I was still a bit numb, too! I took a deep breath and they take it out super quick and I was like 'oh that was fine!' Didn't hurt, is just a gross thought!

I was expecting the catheter removal to hurt but like Jess said it just felt weird. Recovery went really well for me. I was walking around straight away and went for a walk to the park on day 4. Only thing I struggled with was lying down and getting in and out of bed so I bought a wedge pillow and slept upright for a few weeks. I felt the recovery was a lot easier than I expected/ heard so I was grateful for that

Super quick and just a bit odd but not painful at all! It definitely takes some teamwork caring for baby, I found tying a dressing gown rope to the end of the bed helped to pull myself up when I needed to feed! Keep on top of your meds and don’t be afraid to ask for help from the staff at hospital. Also get some stuff to help manage constipation after because this can be a separate pain all in itself.

I had PPA and PPP so emotionally I was not very good but to look after the baby’s physical needs etc it was good. They really do just sleep, eat and poop lol (or at least mine did). You may need help lowering the baby into a bassinet if you’re using one but that’s the only thing I could think of Those first 6 weeks were my favourite time cos it was constant cuddles and naps lol x

The catheter hurts a bit but just for few secs, it doesn't leave you any pain after so yeah, deep breath fee secs and you are done. It's bearable don't worry. Recovery a bit harsh if you have help is better but I've been 4 days at the hospital and the nights I was all alone taking care of the baby, manageable at the end, not easy but... Stay on top of your mess and take them regularly even if you think you don't need them.

I'm two weeks today from an elective c section, and my recovery has been amazing! I've not really felt any pain, and my catheter removal was literally nothing, I didn't even feel it. Please don't worry, everyone is different, but you'll be absolutely fine! Was my first c section too xx

I didnt find the removal painful it felt weird. I was blessed to have a lot of help when i had a c section my mil kept him in the nights. I admit recovery is still going to be hard but then again every one is different. Take it easy first couple of weeks. Doesnt matter if your house is a mess or things are not done. Take care of yourself and baby, and please please ask for help if yiu need it

The thought of a c section scares me more than catheter removal!

It just felt a little bit weird coming out but it didn’t hurt. The recovery. It really depends. I’ve heard a planed section is much better than unplanned. So that’ll help a lot. I think you just need to relax and take it easier a lot more because it’s a major surgery. Sit on the couch and hold baby all day. Walk around every so often to help move your body and feel better. But it’s just all about staying on top of medicine and taking it easy

I did not feel a thing when they removed mine. I thought it was great having a catheter because I drank litres of water without having to get out of bed to go to the toilet which is so painful right after surgery. Recovery is hard and you will need help the first two weeks but it will get better everyday.

I had mine 9 weeks ago, recovery wise I was pretty much back to normal after 2 weeks but obviously still took it easy. I’d defo recommend going out for walks with baby as soon as you feel able to as that really helps, even if it’s just a short walk. With the catheter removal, I was more scared for that than the actual section😅 and it didnt hurt at all just felt a little weird for literally a few seconds!

Didn’t feel the catheter at all! Taking it out just felt like the sensation when you tense/push to pee for a few seconds and that’s it. No pain at all. As for my recovery, I found it pretty easy and no more painful than a bad period at times. I was at Costco on day 5, exercising again at 6 weeks and travelling back to Australia at 8 weeks. Having my second section next month 😊

It stings a bit but it’s not painful you’ll be ok x

Thank you so so much girls, this has really helped my worries! It’s so nice to have a lovely community on here with no judgement!! Thank you again 🤍

Just want to reassure you that before I had my first elective the catheter was a real thing for me too, I was so worried about it. I promise you I basically didn’t notice it come out, it’s absolutely not painful it’s a wierd sort of tickling sensation but is over in a matter of seconds. If your procedure is uncomplicated then recovery is really not bad!

@Emily Timbrell thank you lovely Xxx

I found the catheter ok just a tiny sting. I had an emergency section I found the recovery ok but I really had good support I didn’t over do it, I didn’t rush to drive, I accepted that the house may be messy for a bit and I didn’t let people visit unless they were willing to bring food or supplies or do a chore lol

I kind felt like I peed myself when the catheter was taken out but didn't hurt or feel uncomfortable in any way, my recovery was fine, I was in hospital for 3 days after as my blood pressure kept crashing (I have a heart condition) but when I got home I had a lot of help for the first week, till I could walk around more, getting in and out of bed was hard and getting up from the sofa was also difficult but it's nowhere near as bad as I thought it was going to be... Just stay on top of your pain meds even when you feel like you don't need them, good luck xx

There’s always risk around catheters, some patients can’t pee after removal and the catheter has to be reinserted for a while longer. My bladder got bruised when it was removed and it was painful to pee for a couple of weeks afterwards. A c section is major abdominal surgery in the end, if you’re only planning on having one child, you’re grand, but subsequent c section will reopen the same incision and recovery is slower

Catheter removal just feels like a tampon being taken out but in a different place, in my opinion. I was terrified too but it was really ok xx

And I had my c section on the 29th, came home a day or 2 later, and ive been pretty alright for a few days now already xx

Catheter removal doesn’t hurt just a bit more uncomfortable than anything, I would say it’s definitely manageable - keep on top of your pain meds and don’t overdo it. My recovery from my elective section (2nd baby) was easier and better than my natural birth (1st baby) xx

@Ceecee I actually agree with the tampon being taken out, that’s a very good way to explain it 😂

The catheter removal is so quick you’ll barely notice. It’s a lot worse to think about. Recovery is also totally manageable - I had an unplanned c section and what I had heard versus what I experienced were very different. It was absolutely a major surgery, but everyday you feel better and learn your limits! It is painful, but not debilitating (at least in my experience).

As everyone else has said, the catheter going in or out doesn’t hurt at all. I barely noticed feeling it tbh 😂 And recovery from the section isn’t half as bad as you think. The area goes mainly numb so it’s more of a strange uncomfortable feeling then severe pain 😘

I was so scared for the catheter to be removed but it just felt like I was trying to have a wee. And I won’t like the recovery does hurt but I had alot of support from family so it’s 100% doable if you have the right people around you altho my baby is quite an easy baby so that’s just my experience haha.

It doesn’t hurt to have the catheter removed. It’s a bit uncomfortable for just a moment, and then it’s over. Recovery wasn’t awful in my experience. But I never had a vagina birth before or since, so I have nothing to compare it to. Just listen to your body, get your partner to help you. It’s manageable. Take Tylenol and ibuprofen for swelling and pain management

I was scared when they came to take the catheter out but it honestly felt like nothing.

1) no when you have the epidural you don’t even feel it 2) Not going to sugar coat I had 4 and my last one was 11 days ago please 🙏 don’t push yourself and have another person to help you.

Hey! The Catheter being removed felt a bit like a dry tampon being pulled out but not painful, just a strange feeling. Personally I found getting up as soon as I could really helped recovery. I listened to my body and rested when needed. About 10 hours after the section the nurse helped me sit on the chair next to the bed (Catheter still in and no pain), then a few hours later she removed the catheter so I could walk to the toilet. I can't lie and say it's not painful but the distraction of the baby really helps. For me the pain felt like I'd done a million sit ups, then day by day it gradually got better and about 5 days after birth I went on my first 10 min walk around the block and built up from there. I highly recommend holding a pillow tightly to your stomach on the journey home as it helps stabilise you. Also, TMI but take stool softeners (trust me) xx

@Rach this is really helpful!! Thank you! X

I had the catheter removed the morning after because the feeling in my legs hadn’t returned fully by the evening and tbh I think it was great because I didn’t have to worry about getting up to pee during the night. It didn’t hurt getting it removed. I didn’t think the recovery was bad at all, as long as I kept up on meds for the first couple of days. I was able to walk around the house the next day and around a shop 2 days later and within a few days I was only taking the meds a couple of times a day when I felt a bit sore

I had a "kind catheter (my husbands words as a urology specialist- there's different sizes of catheter they can use). It just felt like a very warm pee when it came out and felt a bit odd but didn't hurt at all. My husband helped a lot and I had family round nearly every day for 2 weeks and that really helped. I struggled getting out of bed so my husband did the night time duties and helped me out of bed when I needed to get up. He also brought baby to me because I struggled to lean forwards. Other then walking about every hour he basically did everything

Okay so I didn't even feel the catheter coming out I didn't even know she had done it yet , which is surprising as it was the scariest part for me. Recovery for me was painful but manageable it was mostly my back where the epidural thingy went that hurt the most but I my back does still hurt from that 2 years on so I think they botched it ? But with pain relief , hot patches and a few days of taking it incredibly easy with help of family I was good to be left alone around 1 weeks pp . As long as you don't push yourself too hard and don't do anything you feel like you can't and keep on top of pain meds you'll be fine . I preferred my c section to my 2 days of induction prior it was actually quite nice and relaxing 😂x

Oh getting out of bed is the bit that sucks the most make sure you don't lie down flat or you'll never get up again I had to sleep proped up for like 2 weeks and have something you can use to push yourself up or have your partner help but that was honestly the worst bit for me but yet again that was down to back pain x

I don’t even remember the catheter being removed, so can’t have been that bad! The first couple of days are really rough, not going to lie, but you’ll be surprised how quickly you’re up and about!