1. Cesarean section: “skin preparation” and “tube placement”
Amy’s mother: Because the baby’s head was too big and it was difficult to deliver it normally, she decided to have a caesarean section. As for contractions, labor pains, etc., I won’t go into details. All expectant mothers are the same. Regarding caesarean section, the previous understanding was just to make a cut on the belly and \”hold\” the baby out. But the truth is not as simple as I thought.
【Skin Preparation】
First of all, let’s learn about what “skin preparation” is, which means shaving your pubic hair. You must be wondering: Why do you have to shave when you choose a caesarean section? The baby cannot come out from below, so the belly is cut open directly. I thought so too at the time, but the doctor\’s answer was: to facilitate postpartum disinfection, a urinary catheter would be inserted next. In addition, postpartum lochia and hairlessness are more hygienic and easy to clean.
【Insert urinary catheter】
Lying on the operating table, I heard the doctor\’s orderly instructions. It would be a lie to say that inserting a catheter doesn\’t hurt. It\’s swollen at first, then a little painful. There is a small bag under one tube that can be stuffed directly into it without worrying about air leakage. The bag is used for counting, and when it is full, it is poured out. But soon I was unconscious under anesthesia.
I don’t know how long it took, but the baby was born. Don’t think that the tube can be removed right after birth. cannot! The doctor said to keep it for another 24 hours.
I will be uncomfortable for the next 24 hours. Be careful when turning over or something. It would be terrible if it was accidentally pulled down and inserted again. By the way, you can’t wear pants or wash your butt during catheterization. I disinfected it every day, and then my buttocks got wet and lochia came out and flowed onto the mattress. I had to cover it with a quilt. I feel uncomfortable thinking about it now! Mainly because I really want to pack it away, but there\’s nothing I can do!
2. Detailed steps of catheterization
After listening to my personal experience, I will introduce professional medical explanations and procedures to help expectant mothers prepare for a caesarean section.
A urinary catheter is a tube made of natural rubber, silicone rubber, or polyvinyl chloride that is inserted into the bladder through the urethra to drain urine. After the catheter is inserted into the bladder, there is a balloon near the tip of the catheter to fix the catheter in the bladder and prevent it from coming out easily. The drainage tube is connected to a urine bag to collect urine. Urinary catheterization is a procedure performed to relieve urinary disturbances caused by childbirth surgery. Generally speaking, urinary catheterization is required before a caesarean section.
C-sections generally require the insertion of a urinary catheter before surgery. It is inserted through the urethral opening above the vaginal opening. It feels a little bit when inserted, but not painful. The urinary catheter is elastic and the urethra is also elastic, so don\’t be too nervous. Generally within 24 hours after surgery, medical staff will remove the urinary catheter and encourage the mother to get out of bed to urinate. But if the mother still can\’t poop on her own, the doctor may reinsert the catheter.
Generally, vaginal delivery does not require catheterization. Catheterization only exists during childbirth due to compression of bladder functionTemporary loss and inability to recover in time. There is a lot of excess water in a woman’s body that needs to be expelled after giving birth. In order to help expectant mothers urinate in time, the method of inserting a urinary catheter is used.
[Catheterization steps]:
1. Medical staff wash their hands to remove germs on their hands and prevent infection.
2. Prepare utensils: a pack of cotton swabs, a roll of breathable paper tape, a plastic bag, bedpan, physiological saline or boiling water, betadine disinfectant (as needed).
3. Begin inserting the urinary catheter. Place the bedpan on the patient\’s buttocks. Use your hands to separate the labia or retract the foreskin. Use a cotton swab moistened with saline or boiling water to clean the catheter approximately one inch (2.5 cm) from the catheter opening. Use one cotton swab at a time and throw dirty cotton swabs into the prepared plastic bag.
4. Check for any crusting or abnormal drainage or drainage. If so, medical staff need to attend to it immediately.
5. Use breathable tape to fix the urinary catheter in a well shape on the patient\’s inner thigh. The adherent part must be replaced daily to prevent skin damage from long-term adhesion or catheter pressure.