A medical device placement system for inserting an elongate medical device including a catheter into a body of a patient through a skin insertion site, comprising: a plurality of optical fiber-based strain sensors configured to be included with the medical device; a light source configured to operably connect with the plurality of strain sensors and produce outgoing optical signals incident on the strain sensors; a photodetector configured to operably connect with the plurality of strain sensors and receive return optical signals from the strain sensors; a processor configured to process data from the return optical signals, the data relating to an aspect of the medical device; and a user interface configured to communicate information relating to the aspect of the medical device, wherein the catheter includes a proximal portion that is configured to remain exterior to the patient, a distal portion that is configured to reside within the patient after placement is complete, and an elongate catheter tube defining one or more lumens extending between proximal and distal ends of the elongate catheter tube, wherein the proximal portion includes a bifurcation hub that provides fluid communication between the one or more lumens of the catheter and one or more extension legs extending proximally from the bifurcation hub, wherein the one or more lumens are in communication with the corresponding extension legs via the bifurcation hub, wherein the strain sensors are distributed along a longitudinal length of an optical fiber, wherein the optical fiber is permanently incorporated into the catheter tube, wherein the user interface includes a display, wherein the processor is configured to cause the display to include information relating to a position of the medical device within the body of the patient, wherein the information includes a representative body image, and wherein the processor is configured to cause the display to map the catheter as an image on the body image to indicate an actual location of the catheter within the body of the patient enabled by knowledge of the insertion site of the catheter, a length of the distal portion and a shape/displacement of the catheter as detected by the strain sensors. a plurality of optical fiber-based strain sensors configured to be included with the medical device; a light source configured to operably connect with the plurality of strain sensors and produce outgoing optical signals incident on the strain sensors; a photodetector configured to operably connect with the plurality of strain sensors and receive return optical signals from the strain sensors; a processor configured to process data from the return optical signals, the data relating to an aspect of the medical device; and a user interface configured to communicate information relating to the aspect of the medical device, wherein the catheter includes a proximal portion that is configured to remain exterior to the patient, a distal portion that is configured to reside within the patient after placement is complete, and an elongate catheter tube defining one or more lumens extending between proximal and distal ends of the elongate catheter tube, wherein the proximal portion includes a bifurcation hub that provides fluid communication between the one or more lumens of the catheter and one or more extension legs extending proximally from the bifurcation hub, wherein the one or more lumens are in communication with the corresponding extension legs via the bifurcation hub, wherein the strain sensors are distributed along a longitudinal length of an optical fiber, wherein the optical fiber is permanently incorporated into the catheter tube, wherein the user interface includes a display, wherein the processor is configured to cause the display to include information relating to a position of the medical device within the body of the patient, wherein the information includes a representative body image, and wherein the processor is configured to cause the display to map the catheter as an image on the body image to indicate an actual location of the catheter within the body of the patient enabled by knowledge of the insertion site of the catheter, a length of the distal portion and a shape/displacement of the catheter as detected by the strain sensors.