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Midwives' recording of urinary output.
Nursing Standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)
|March 25, 1992
Summary
Mothers receiving epidural anesthesia during labor may experience unrecognized bladder emptying issues. This pilot study highlights inconsistent urinary output monitoring, potentially leading to undiagnosed hypotonic detrusor activity post-delivery.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Urology
- Anesthesiology
Background:
- Urinary incontinence is prevalent in women.
- Some women experience incomplete bladder emptying post-labor.
- This sensation is often linked to epidural anesthesia and Foley catheter use during childbirth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the documentation of urinary output in mothers who received epidural anesthesia during labor and the immediate postpartum period.
- To assess the extent to which hypotonic detrusor activity, a potential complication of epidural anesthesia, is recognized.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study was conducted over two weeks in two maternity units.
- Data were collected from 20 mothers who had vaginal deliveries with epidural anesthesia.
- Two questionnaires were used: one for midwives and one for reviewing patient records.
Main Results:
- Urinary output documentation during labor was available for 60% of the participants.
- Postpartum urinary output documentation was recorded for only 20% of the mothers.
- A significant portion of mothers may have been discharged with unrecognized hypotonic detrusor activity.
Conclusions:
- Inadequate monitoring of urinary output in mothers receiving epidural anesthesia is a concern.
- There is a risk of undiagnosed hypotonic detrusor activity, potentially impacting postpartum recovery.
- Improved documentation and monitoring protocols are necessary for this patient group.