Having a catheter
Date issued: March 2025
For review: March 2027
Ref: C-498/JS/LDT/Having a catheter v2
PDF: Having a catheter.pdf [pdf] 443KB
Your wee (urine)
When you eat and drink your body takes out the things it needs to keep strong and healthy. For example: vitamins
What it doesn't need is turned into waste. You get rid of this waste when you have a wee or a poo.
Most people have two kidneys. Your kidneys job is to make wee.
Wee goes from your kidneys down into your bladder. When your bladder is full you want to go to the toilet
Why do I need a catheter:
The team looking after you in hospital think you need to have a catheter and bag.
This is either because:
- You are having trouble having a wee and your bladder is holding onto your urine
- The nursing staff need to know how much urine you are weeing as you’ve had an operation, illness or injury
Putting your catheter in
The catheter tube goes into the hole that you wee out of. The tube helps your urine come out.
You will be offered numbing gel or medication to help put the catheter into your bladder if needed.
The catheter will feel strange when it is first put in; this is quite normal.
The catheter may stay in your bladder for a short or long time. This depends on the type of catheter used and why you need it.
Keeping your catheter in place:
Inside the catheter are two very small tubes. One is for your wee to drip down into the bag.
A nurse will use the other tube to fill a small balloon with water. This balloon holds the catheter in place inside your bladder.
The nursing staff will use a fixation device on your leg to keep your catheter in place.
The fixation device stops your catheter coming out and prevents rubbing which could make you sore.
How long do I need a catheter:
Catheters are either for short term or long term use.
A short term catheter is meant to stay in for no more than 28 days.
It is important to talk to the nurses about when you can try to wee without your catheter.
Long term catheters need to be changed every 12 weeks. You may need to be seen by the Urology Team (kidney, bladder and wee experts).
Going home with a catheter:
If you are discharged from hospital with a catheter the nursing staff will tell you and your family/carer/support how to look after it.
It is okay to ask the staff questions. For example: how to walk around with your catheter if you are mobile and what to do if you are sore or feel uncomfortable.
No one will know you are wearing a catheter. It fits closely to your leg and can be covered with trousers or a long skirt.
Important things to know
You will still need to use a toilet or bedpan to have a poo.
You will be told by the nursing staff how much you can drink each day.
You need to tell the staff if you are allergic to latex.
Wee can leak a little bit whilst your bladder gets used to the catheter.
You may see spots of blood in your urine bag. This can look much worse than it is. Talk to the nurses if you are worried.
