How this is done
If the woman cannot pass urine or is having difficulty passing urine then a catheter may need to be placed into the bladder to empty it. Some caregivers will do a once only 'in and out' catheter to empty the bladder. This is a small short (20cm) plastic tube inserted into the bladder until it is emptied and then removed.
If the woman continues to be unable to pass urine or is having difficulty sensing a full bladder, then the caregiver may suspect some nerve damage to the bladder and will recommend putting in a Foley's catheter for a few days, to stop the bladder from overfilling and allow the nerves of the bladder to heal.
A Foley's catheter is a longer (40cm) rubber tube with small balloon on the end that is inflated with 5 mls of water, once the tip is inside the bladder, to stop it from falling out. Once in place about 20 to 30 cms of the catheter is visible from outside the genitals. The end of the catheter is attached to a length of plastic tubing with a soft plastic bag on the end, capable of filling with up to 1 to 2 litres of urine, which can be emptied as needed. This is also known as an 'indwelling catheter'.
A midwife is able to insert an indwelling catheter and it may be possible for women who have had a homebirth to have one, if the midwife carries this equipment or is able to obtain it.
How this is doneTo have the catheter inserted you would need to lie on your back on the bed. The genitals are washed with a cool antiseptic solution and the catheter is inserted into the urethral opening, a small opening above the vagina and below the clitoris. This can sometimes be hard to see if you are swollen (and may be a little uncomfortable). Your caregiver will need to use a bright light and may have to look a little while for the opening. The tube going in may feel unusual or slightly uncomfortable but should not be that painful.