You’ll follow the same routine of washing when you finish removing the catheter. Dry your hands well with a paper towel, and throw the towel away. This is a good opportunity to make sure that there’s a trashcan nearby. You’ll need the trashcan for disposing of your catheter.
When the bag is empty, close the clamp or twist the cap on the bag. This will prevent dripping. If your urine is cloudy, foul-smelling, or if you notice any sign of red, contact your health care provider.
You can also lay in a butterfly position. Lie down and spread your knees apart while keep your feet together. Lying on your back will also relax your urethra and bladder, making it easier to remove the catheter.
If you are a man, use a saline (saltwater) solution to clean the urethral opening on the penis. If you are a woman, use a saline solution to clean around the labia and urethral opening. Clean by starting at the urethra and then moving outward to avoid any spread of bacteria.
The balloon valve should have a colored valve on the end. You may also see numbers printed on the balloon valve.
Slowly and carefully, pull the syringe away from the port. The vacuum effect will pull water from the balloon in the bladder. Continue until the syringe is full. This should indicate that the balloon is empty, and ready for removal. Do not pump any air or liquid back into the balloon as it could burst and injure your bladder. Always make sure the amount of fluid withdrawn from the balloon port matches the amount of fluid infused prior to attempting removal. If you are unable to withdraw the appropriate amount of fluid seek professional assistance.
If you feel any resistance, it means that there is most likely still water in the balloon. If this is the case, you will need to put a syringe back into the balloon port and take out any extra water like you did in the previous step. Men may feel a stinging sensation as the balloon travels down the urethra. This is a normal experience, and not a cause for concern.
If this is the case, do not throw the catheter away. Keep it for your medical provider to examine. These syringes are not considered to be contaminated with biological waste because no bodily fluids are present in this line unless the balloon has burst. These syringes can be disposed of through normal means in a secure, hard plastic container with a lid.
Clean up the area where the catheter had been inserted with a saline solution. If there is any sign of pus or blood, contact your health care provider immediately. Remove your gloves and wash your hands once you are done. For a pain-relieving effect, you can apply some lidocaine jelly to the area around your urethra.
Continue to flush the area with warm, salty water. Bathe and wash as usual. While you may have discontinued baths when your catheter was inserted, showers are fine. Now that you’ve removed the catheter, you can take baths as well. Your urine should be clear or light yellow. Presence of light pink urine is also normal for the first 24 – 48 hours following catheter removal, as a slight amount of blood may have entered the urinary tract. Urine that is dark red in color is a sign of blood, and foul-smelling or cloudy urine may indicate infection. If either of these are present, contact your medical provider immediately. You may experience a slight rash on the area where your catheter has been removed. Cotton underwear allows for freer airflow to the area which aids healing.
It’s normal for urination to become a little irregular once your catheter is removed. It’s common to find yourself needing to urinate more frequently than normal. You may experience a slight discomfort when urinating. If this persists beyond 24 – 48 hours following catheter removal, this may indicate infection. You may also find that you have difficulty controlling your urine flow. This is not unusual. Keep track of incidents that concern you, and ask your medical provider about these incidents at your next visit. Keep a urination diary to help your doctor determine whether or not any further steps are needed on the path to your recovery.
Avoid drinking caffeine as it may irritate the bladder. [7] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source Limit your fluid intake after 6:00 pm. Drinking too much liquid in the evening may wake you up during the night. Elevate your feet when seated, particularly in the evening.
For example, if you have prostate surgery, you will generally receive a catheter that can be taken out 10 to 14 days after surgery. Follow your medical provider’s post-surgical guidelines and recommendations. These will be individualized to your health care situation.
For example, if you suffered a spinal cord injury that has caused you to develop incontinence, you will need to have a catheter in place for a long period of time. Replace your catheter with a fresh one every 14 days or as directed by manufacturer or physician recommendations.
You may also notice a large amount of urine coming out from around the catheter. If you do notice this, remove the catheter. It is most likely defective. If there is no urine draining into the catheter, there may be an obstruction in the device. If this is the case, it needs to be removed immediately and you should go to the doctor right away. Do not irrigate your catheter without first consulting a healthcare professional. [8] X Expert Source Robert Dhir, MDBoard Certified Urologist & Urological Surgeon Expert Interview. 23 September 2020.
