Urine Retention in Postpartum Mothers

Hermina's friends, in general during pregnancy you experience frequent urination. However, one or two days after giving birth, experiencing this for more than 6 hours can cause stress on the bladder, leaving long-term effects so that the condition is called urinary retention. Severe urinary retention after delivery can cause complications such as persistent bladder distension, uremia, and sepsis, which can lead to death. Postpartum urinary retention is still not understood and has varying mechanisms. Symptoms that can accompany urinary retention apart from difficulty urinating include straining when urinating, experiencing discomfort in the pubic area and a feeling of fullness in the pubic bone.

 

Here are some things you can do if you have difficulty urinating after giving birth, namely:

• Drinking plenty of fluids can help to reach the fluid capacity needed to induce the urge to urinate. In addition, drinking enough fluids can also help to overcome postpartum constipation.

• Try to walk as soon as possible, so that gravity and activity can help the body's systems return to normal.

• Ask for help from the family to the bathroom to keep watch waiting outside the bathroom.

• If you can't go to the bathroom and have to use a bedpan to urinate, try using it while sitting, and don't hesitate to ask the nurse to warm it up first (if being treated in hospital).

• Compressing the perineal area aims not to feel pain when urinating.

• Warm or cold temperatures can cause the urge to urinate. Try submerging your lower body into warm water or using ice packs.

• Even though it sounds like doing something impossible or ridiculous, you can try turning on the tap water when you want to urinate.

 

If this has been going on for a long time, and is interfering with the activities of Sahabat Hermina, we suggest that you immediately consult directly with the Obstetrician/Gynecology Specialist at RSU Hermina Solo.