Find clinic locations for Fort HealthCare and affiliated clinics and services in Jefferson County, Wisconsin.
Find services offered by Fort HealthCare and affiliated clinics in Jefferson County, Wisconsin.
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Your healthcare provider has prescribed self-catheterization for you because you are having trouble urinating naturally. This problem can be caused by injury, disease, infection, recent surgery (especially urinary incontinence or prolapse procedures), hysterectomy, or other conditions.
Many people urinate by self-catheterization (also called intermittent catheterization). Self-catheterization simply means inserting a clean, thin, flexible tube (catheter) into the bladder to empty urine. This helps you empty your bladder when it won’t empty by itself or won't empty all the way. You were shown in the hospital how to do this procedure. The steps below should help you remember how to do it correctly.
You will need the following:
Soap and warm water or a moist towelette
Clean catheter
Water-soluble lubricating jelly (not petroleum jelly)
Mirror
Toilet or basin
Wash your hands and your genital area. Use warm soapy water. You can also use a moist towelette. As always, wash from front to back.
Lubricate the catheter with the water-soluble lubricating jelly.
Lubricate 2 to 4 inches of the catheter tip.
Place the other end of the catheter over the toilet or basin.
Spread the labia (the lips or folds at the opening of your vagina). Use a mirror or your index finger to find the urethra (urinary tract opening).
Slowly insert the catheter into your urethra. If it doesn’t go in, take a deep breath and bear down as if trying to urinate.
If you feel a sharp pain, remove the catheter and try again.
Empty your bladder.
When the urine starts to flow, stop inserting the catheter.
When the urine stops flowing, slowly remove the catheter.
If you use a disposable catheter, use a new one each time you empty your bladder. Throw the catheter away when you’re done. If your catheters are reusable, do the following after each use:
Wash your hands with soap and clean, running water.
Clean the catheter with soap and warm water.
Rinse the catheter, making sure there is no soap left inside or on it.
Dry the outside of the catheter.
Store the catheter in a clean, dry container, such as a plastic bag that seals at the top.
Throw away a catheter if the plastic looks cloudy.
Wash your hands again. If you used a basin, wash it out.
Follow up with your healthcare provider, or as directed.
Call your healthcare provider or get medical care right away if you have any of the following:
Fever of 100.4° F ( 38°C ) or higher, or as advised by your healthcare provider
Chills
Burning in the urinary tract or pubic area
Nausea and vomiting
Aching in the lower back
Sand-like material (sediment) or mucus in the urine
Cloudy urine
Bloody (pink or red) or bad-smelling urine