Many medical professionals are misinformed when it comes to the proper techniques of testing intact boys with catheters. So, what's the proper procedure?
For a variety of reasons, sometimes it is medically necessary to test urine. But with misinformation surrounding the proper care of the intact penis, it is important to know a few facts before having your intact son tested.
First of all, it is likely that a catheter is not even necessary. There are a few techniques that allow urine testing without the need for a catheter, such as a sterile urine bag or a "clean catch". Both of these techniques can be performed at home or at the hospital/doctor's office.
"Clean Catch"
"Urine Samples and Catheter Insertion for Intact Boys"
http://www.drmomma.org/2011/12/urine-samples-and-catheter-insertion.html
Read more about forced retraction and why it is dangerous:
Only Clean What Is Seen - Reversing the Epidemic of Forcible Foreskin Retractions
For a variety of reasons, sometimes it is medically necessary to test urine. But with misinformation surrounding the proper care of the intact penis, it is important to know a few facts before having your intact son tested.
First of all, it is likely that a catheter is not even necessary. There are a few techniques that allow urine testing without the need for a catheter, such as a sterile urine bag or a "clean catch". Both of these techniques can be performed at home or at the hospital/doctor's office.
"Clean Catch"
- involves 'catching' a sample of clean urine from an infant or young child as they urinate
- give your son a drink or breast feed to help fill the bladder
- clean the outside of the child’s genital area with soap and water (no soap underneath the foreskin, however)
- leave your child’s diaper off and wait for him to urinate- quickly catch a small amount in a sterile container (from your doctor)
- on the container write your child’s first name, surname, date of birth, and the date and time you collected the sample
- it is important that the urine sample is fresh when tested so deliver it to your laboratory within two hours or put it in the fridge (not the freezer) until you can deliver the sample
- it can be difficult to time when a young child urinates, so several attempts may be needed
- you attach a plastic bag, which has a sticky strip, over your baby’s genital area after cleaning very well with soap and water (again, do not use soap underneath the foreskin)
- for boys, the entire penis can go in the bag and you can put a diaper on over the bag
- urine collects in the bag when your child urinates; sometimes it can take several attempts to get some urine
- transfer the urine sample from the bag into the sterile container (from your doctor)
- on the container write your child’s first name, surname, date of birth, and the date and time you collected the sample
- it is important that the urine sample is fresh when tested so deliver it to your laboratory within two hours or put it in the fridge (not the freezer) until you can deliver it; don’t leave the bag on your baby overnight
- a bag urine sample can be contaminated by germs from the skin; which might make it look like your child has a UTI (urinary tract infection) even if they don’t. In some situations (for example if your child is only mildly unwell) a repeat bag urine collection can be used to confirm whether a UTI is actually present
- if a catheter is necessary, know that there is absolutely NO MEDICAL REASON to retract your son's foreskin to insert a catheter
- talk to the hospital staff and make certain that they know not to retract
- a catheter can be inserted when the foreskin is pulled back just enough to see the meatus (urinary opening). If the foreskin's opening is too small to retract far enough to see the meatus, a catheter can be inserted through the foreskin's opening and into the meatus "by feel"
- if it makes you feel more comfortable, offer to be the one that handles his penis during catheter insertion. You can bring your own sterile gloves, and gently open his foreskin (about as much as when he urinates) so the catheter can be inserted by a nurse or doctor
"Urine Samples and Catheter Insertion for Intact Boys"
http://www.drmomma.org/2011/12/urine-samples-and-catheter-insertion.html
Read more about forced retraction and why it is dangerous:
Only Clean What Is Seen - Reversing the Epidemic of Forcible Foreskin Retractions
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