Tips for PP Moms and Urination

OKNurse2be · Apr 29, 2012

Well, no advice from nursing perspective, but I am a 3 time mom who has had epidurals/spinals each time. My trick was to not even TRY to go until I had the urge to go. I would drink water/cranberry juice as soon as they'd let me, and I would wait until I was SURE that I had to go. I have a nervous bladder, and I can't pee on demand. I don't know why that is, but even with a 7 lb infant pressing on my bladder I had to make sure I chugged before each doc visit. Obviously, if the pt has a full bladder and still can't pee, then interventions have to be made, but in my experience as a pt I did best if I was allowed to void on my own "schedule" and just drank til I felt a good solid urge. Didn't take me more than perhaps 3 hours post-partum to void.

carrie_c · Apr 29, 2012

Sometimes getting them to get in the shower can help. Also, this may sound stupid, but just leaving them alone in the bathroom might help. It's hard for some people to go if someone is standing over them. Then other times there's just nothing you can do, and you just have to straight cath.

NurseNora, BSN, RN · Apr 29, 2012

Some Spirits of Peppermint in the hat can really help. It helps relax the spincter.

SpecialK38, ASN, RN · Apr 29, 2012

Some Spirits of Peppermint in the hat can really help. It helps relax the spincter.

I agree- we use peppermint oil on a 2x2 in our hats and it sometimes helps. Unfortunately women's bladders can get distended during pregnancy and have less sensation. That along with some residual epidural can leave them without the urge to go. Also sometimes there is so much perineal swelling (even with some c-sections) that it makes it hard to go. If you have to I and O cath after trying many interventions I wouldn't sweat it. Sometimes it just takes time to regain sensation and urgency.

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Apr 29, 2012

It sounds ridiculous, but having them blow bubbles in water using a straw sometimes helps. Relaxes the sphincter and by golly, they can go sometimes.

melmarie23, MSN, RN · Apr 30, 2012

peppermint oil? sometimes the smell of that helps.

NurseNora, BSN, RN · Apr 30, 2012

It's not just the smell of the peppermint oil that helps. The volatile oil molecules that are the basis of the smell ( absorbed by mucous membeane in the nose and go directly to the olifactory area of the brain) are also absorbed by the mucous membranes in the vulva, and relax the spincter.

Fitzy819 · Apr 30, 2012

Thank you everyone for the tips! I don't know if we have peppermint oil available but I will definitely ask about it. I will try the bubble blowing next time as well.

It is so nice to have such a wonderful resource like AllNurses!

peeweedelivery · Apr 30, 2012

We don't have peppermint oil but we do have peppermint tea. On rare occasion when one of my newly delivered moms can't void, I will make two cups of hot peppermint tea, one for the urine hat, and one for her to sip on in the bathroom (or just before getting up to the bathroom). I have had very good luck with this technique.

carrie_c · May 1, 2012

Never heard of the peppermint. I will have to try it.

Dalla · May 3, 2012

I don't work L&D, but have had three children and three surgeries. I have always had trouble urinating afterwards. I have needed staight cathing several times - when you whole body is shaking and you still can't pee - frustrating. It just took me more time that others. Usually about 6-9 hours later things would start working again.