When people know you're pregnant, they love to tell you absolutely everything they think you don't know/should know/want to know -- whether or not you ask.
Question: Does everyone have a urinary catheter placed while in labor?
Answer: No, not everyone is required to have a urinary catheter during labor.
Clarification: Catheter placement during labor depends on what type of pain relief you choose and mode of delivery. For example, most people who have an epidural during labor and those delivering via cesarean will have a urinary catheter placed. While a doctor cannot legally force you into any procedure, and you do have the right to refuse, a catheter is used for evidence-based reasons during both of those procedures.
Further Explanation: A urinary catheter is a medical device (clear plastic tubing) used to empty a person's bladder of urine automatically. It is used in medical situations when a person is unable to empty their bladder on their own.
An epidural causes numbness/loss of sensation and therefore limited movement from the waist down. For most people, an epidural prevents getting up and out of bed and walking around safely. An epidural also prevents a person from feeling bladder fullness and therefore, the need to empty the bladder. Since the bladder is nestled in front of the vaginal canal and below the uterus, a full bladder can slow down the baby's descent and slow the overall labor. Thus the reason why a catheter is encouraged when a person has an epidural. Thankfully, a catheter can be placed once the epidural medication has taken effect, which means you should not feel anything or perhaps only light pressure when it is put in place. If your care provider wants to place a catheter beforehand, find out why and ask if they could wait until after the epidural is in place. Medically, there shouldn't be an issue waiting to place the catheter.
During a cesarean, you will also experience abdominal numbness from either an epidural or spinal anesthesia. For the same reasons mentioned above, a catheter is considered a routine part of the procedure, but it is also used to reduce the risks of having a full bladder during cesarean surgery. A full bladder during surgery is at greater risk of surgical injury.
A catheter can also be useful because it accurately measures your urinary output, which can be helpful to medical staff for a variety of reasons.
The downside of a catheter is that catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are increased with catheter placement - although statistically the chances are low (<1% for vaginal birth; <2% for C-section*). Infection risk increases as the length of time the catheter is in situ increases. Be on the lookout for burning with urination in the days following catheter usage and contact your doctor quickly if you are showing signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI).
During an unmedicated vaginal birth, a catheter is not typically necessary unless you are unable to urinate on your own. If you're having difficulty urinating, you may request a temporary catheter, which is not left in place, but only used as a tool to empty your bladder periodically. The tubing is placed into empty, then removed.
In general, use of a catheter is part of standard protocol in hospitals during epidurals and C-sections for good reasons. It should not feel uncomfortable and is removed quickly after a vaginal birth. A catheter will be left in place after a cesarean birth until you are able to stand and walk on your own. If you are in pain or think you might have a UTI in the days following the birth, be sure to contact your care provider quickly.
Originally published 02/28/2020
Reviewed June 2026
Published: June 03, 2026
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Is It True SeriesCatheter