What is urinary catheterization?

Catheterization may cause some discomfort during the procedure. A condom catheter doesn't cause much discomfort. That's because it isn't inserted into the urethra. But indwelling catheters may cause some discomfort while in place.

Urinary catheterization is a procedure to drain urine from the bladder. It's done with a plastic tube (catheter). The tube is passed through the urethra to the bladder. Some catheters are used to a collect a urine sample. They are then removed. Others stay in place to drain urine for a longer time.

A catheter can cause discomfort. But your child should feel better after it's removed. It's common for the urine to have a pink tint after catheterization. This is from a small amount of blood in the urine. If your child goes home with a catheter, you'll get instructions for how to care for it.

A health professional will place a small, flexible tube (catheter) into your child's urethra and guide it into the bladder. The urethra carries urine outside the body from the bladder. The catheter will drain urine from the bladder into a bag, a collection cup, or the toilet.

Your child may need a urinary catheterization if:

• A sample of urine is needed quickly.
• Your child is too young to urinate when asked.
• Your child has a health problem that makes your child unable to urinate on their own.
• Your doctor needs to test your infant's urine for signs of infection.
• Your child is having a procedure or surgery that will cause your child to be unable to urinate on their own for a period of time.
• Your child is very ill, and doctors need to measure how much urine your child makes.