A catheter tube will be placed in your bladder during surgery to remove urine. When the catheter is removed after surgery, your bladder may not completely empty when you urinate. A nurse will show you how to put the tip of a small catheter into your bladder after you have urinated so the rest of the urine can flow out. This procedure is called self-catheterization. This sheet lists the steps of self-catheterization.
What equipment will I need?
measuring hat for your toilet
6-inch catheters
lubricant
plastic bag for catheters
mirror, if needed
How do I catheterize myself?
1
Urinate
2
Wash your hands with soap and water
3
Put the measuring hat on the rim of your toilet or you may use the container provided & sit on the side
of the bath tub
4
Place lubricant on tip of catheter
5
Wash area around your urinary opening with a feminine wipe or soap and water
6
Sit on the Toilet so the urine will flow into the measuring hat
7
Insert catheter 2 to 3 inches or until there is a flow of urine. (Your urethra is only about 1 ½ inches long.)
8
After the urine stops flowing, remove the catheter
9
Wash the catheter with soap and water. Dry it on a clean towel, and put in the plastic bag
10
Measure the amount of urine in the hat. This urine is called residual urine. Create a chart and keep track of the date, time and amount(cc) of urine.
11
Pour the urine into the toilet
12
Rinse the hat with warm water
13
Wash your hands with soap and water
How long do I need to catheterize myself after urinating?
Catheterize yourself each time you urinate until you measure less than 100 ml of residual urine. You may stop self-catheterizing unless you have a feeling of fullness or discomfort or are unable to urinate for 6 hours.
If you have any questions or concerns after you have left the hospital, please call (573) 875-9258
