[nursejoey05]

Does cranberry juice help with distended bladder or only UTI? (non-preg). Just curious.

[NurseNora]

Cranberry juice helps keep bacteria from sticking to the lining of the bladder, thus decreasing UTI. Doesn't help with distended bladder. Try a little oil of peppermint in teh toilet. The fumes seem to help some women relax the spincter and void

[FrumDoula]

Originally Posted by NurseNora

Cranberry juice helps keep bacteria from sticking to the lining of the bladder, thus decreasing UTI. Doesn't help with distended bladder. Try a little oil of peppermint in teh toilet. The fumes seem to help some women relax the spincter and void

I like this tip a lot! I'll have to keep some in my doula bag ..... thanks.

[nursejoey05]

NurseNora, you are just full of good info!

[SmilingBluEyes]

we have used oil of peppermint or wintergreen and running water in the faucet to help post partum moms void. A peri bottle full of warm water sprinkled over the peri works great too. more often than not, these tricks do work. Also , having them take a nice warm shower may help them void. There are a lot of tricks we use to avoid catheterizing them if possible.

[elizabells]

Originally Posted by SmilingBluEyes

we have used oil of peppermint or wintergreen and running water in the faucet to help post partum moms void. A peri bottle full of warm water sprinkled over the peri works great too. more often than not, these tricks do work. Also , having them take a nice warm shower may help them void. There are a lot of tricks we use to avoid catheterizing them if possible.

snerk. on our science of nursing practice exam the other day, one of the questions was what to do w/a pt who couldn't void lying down. Among sensible suggestions like "assist the pt to sit up" was the gem - pour cold water over the pt's genitals. sorry, I know that's a little OT, but I haven't been able to resist sharing it with everyone I see upon the slightest provocation...

[SmilingBluEyes]

good grief.

[elizabells]

Originally Posted by SmilingBluEyes

good grief.

you know your professor can't come up with a good fourth answer option when...

[BETSRN]

Originally Posted by FrumDoula

I like this tip a lot! I'll have to keep some in my doula bag ..... thanks.

Blowing through a straw also helps some women. But you must also realize that sometimes the trauma of birth really does hurt the urethra,etc., causing some temporary swelling. Sometimes a straight cath is necessary. Usually, it only takes once to get a woman back on track after birth. A severely distended bladder CANNOT work, not to mention, the overload can keep the uterus from contracting properly, thereby causing more post partum bleeding.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Originally Posted by BETSRN

Blowing through a straw also helps some women. But you must also realize that sometimes the trauma of birth really does hurt the urethra,etc., causing some temporary swelling. Sometimes a straight cath is necessary. Usually, it only takes once to get a woman back on track after birth. A severely distended bladder CANNOT work, not to mention, the overload can keep the uterus from contracting properly, thereby causing more post partum bleeding.

this is very true. There are times when a straight-cath is necessary. Fortunately, I don't run into this too often. I have been guilty in the past of letting it go too far to avoid cath'ing and learned my lesson well. I don't like to cath anyone after a traumatic delivery; it's so painful. But sometimes,there is no choice and it's preferable to allowing a bladder to distend and risk damage or severe hemorrhage.