Urinary Catheters

How to insert a catheter (women)

1. Assemble all equipment: catheter, lubricant, sterile gloves, cleaning supplies, syringe with water to inflate the balloon, drainage receptacle.

2. Wash your hands. Use betadine or cleansing product to clean the urethral opening. In women clean the labia and urethral meatus using downward strokes. Avoid the anal area.

3. Apply the sterile gloves. Make sure you do not touch the outside of the gloves with your hands.

4. Lubricate the catheter.

5. Spread the labia and locate the meatus (opening which is located below the clitoris and above the vagina).

6. Slowly insert the catheter into the meatus.

7. Begin to gently insert and advance the catheter.

8. Once the urine flow starts, advance the catheter another 2 inches. Hold the catheter in place while you inflate the balloon. Care must be taken to ensure the catheter is in the bladder. If pain is felt which inflating the balloon, stop; deflate the balloon; advance the catheter another 2 inches; and attempt to inflate the balloon again.

9. Secure the catheter, and attach the drainage bag.