About a trial without catheter

A trial without catheter involves removing your catheter and checking if you can pass urine normally without it.

The only alternative to a trial without catheter is to leave the catheter in place.

At the appointment

You will need to stay in the hospital for up to 4 hours. You do not need to bring anything with you but you might like to bring something to occupy yourself. You are welcome to bring someone with you for company.

You may eat as normal.

What happens

  1. Check for urine infection
    The nurse will test your urine for an infection. If necessary, they will give you a prescription for antibiotics. You will need to collect the antibiotics from the hospital pharmacy.
     
  2. Remove catheter
    The nurse will remove your catheter. This should not hurt and will only take a moment.  
     
  3. Have a drink every hour
    After the catheter is removed, you should drink one small cup (150ml) every hour until you need to pass urine. Ideally this should be water but you can also drink juice, tea and coffee, for example.

    It is very important that you do not drink too much. Drinking any more than one cup an hour may make it harder to pass urine.

    You can leave the department during this time but you will need to come back when you need to pass urine.
     
  4. Keep a record
    We will give you a form to record what time your catheter was removed, how much fluid you drink afterwards, and at what time.
     
  5. Pass urine when you are ready
    When you need to pass urine, tell the nurse. They will give you a jug to pass urine into. We need to record how much urine you pass and when.
     
  6. Bladder scan
    After you have passed urine, the nurse will scan your bladder to see if you have any urine left in your bladder. They will do this using an ultrasound probe over your abdomen. 

Tips for passing urine

  • Sit down on the toilet, do not hover. Leaning forward may help. 
  • Relax and take your time. Bring something to distract you, such as a mobile phone or magazine.
  • Turn the tap on. The sound of running water can help.
  • Do not strain or bear down.
  • Stand up and move around, then sit down and try again. 

Tell the nurse during the appointment:

  • if you need to pass urine more often than usual  
  • if you pass only small amounts of urine each time you go to the toilet 
  • if you have abdominal pain 
  • if you have difficulty starting to pass urine 
  • if you feel like you have a full bladder but cannot empty it properly 
  • if you feel burning or pain when passing urine.

Going home

When you can go home will depend on how much urine you are passing and how much urine you have left in your bladder. 

Be patient. It is usual that the bladder may take a few hours to return to normal. 

If you are unable to pass urine or your bladder does not empty well, we will discuss the next steps with you. We will agree a plan with you before you go home. 

Once you are at home, you should drink 6 to 8 cups or glasses of fluid a day. 

If you have an infection

If you have been given antibiotics for a urine infection, you must complete the whole course. This is so that the infection is properly treated. 

You will also need your urine testing about 7 days after finishing the antibiotics. This is to check that the infection has gone. Make an appointment for this test at your GP practice. Your GP will let you know if the infection is still there and needs more antibiotics.

Contact information

Urogynaecology

Contact us if you have any questions

Telephone:

020 8934 6407 option 2 then option 4

Email: krft.urogynaecology@nhs.net