Before you remove your catheter, gather all of the supplies you will need, including the syringe and an absorbent pad. You will be given the same sized syringe that was used to inflate the balloon. Most syringes will be labelled 5 or 10 cc.

1. Empty the urine bag.
2. Wash your hands.

You can empty it into the toilet or a container, as you normally do.

You can also wear disposable gloves if you want to.

1. Remove the tape or straps that hold the catheter to your body.
2. Clean your genital area.
3. Lie down on your back.

It's usually attached to your thigh.

You can use soap, water, and a clean cloth.

You can lie flat on your back. It may be more comfortable with your knees bent. Or you can be in a standing position to remove the catheter, if it's comfortable.

Use an absorbent pad or towel to catch any extra urine that comes out.

1. Prepare the syringe.
2. Insert the tip of the syringe into the balloon port on your catheter.
3. Allow the fluid to drain out.
4. If the syringe fills, empty it.

You may need to move the plunger up and down a few times to loosen it. Leave it open about 0.5 mL.

Make sure that you know which port is the balloon port. It's not the one where the urine usually comes out.

It should drain on its own, without you pulling the plunger back more. You may need to move the syringe lower to get the fluid to drain.

You can empty it into a sink or toilet. Reattach the syringe and see if any more fluid drains out. You want to completely empty the balloon.

The balloon in your bladder should be empty now, so that it can come out.

1. Gently pull the catheter out of your urethra.
2. Take controlled breaths.
3. Do not force the catheter out.
4. Clean up.
5. Wash your hands again.

Pull it slowly and smoothly.

This will help you relax. The catheter should slide out easily.

If it doesn't slide out easily, use the syringe again to try to drain more liquid from the balloon.

Throw away the catheter, the bag, and the absorbent pad, if you used one. You may also want to clean the area around your genitals again.

1. Hydrate.
2. Urinate.
3. Be prepared for some discomfort.
4. Try a warm bath.

Drink extra fluids for a little while, unless your doctor tells you not to.

Urinate as you did before you had the catheter. Your doctor may want to measure the amount of urine to make sure that your bladder is working as it should.

It may burn a little bit and you may see a small amount of blood in your urine the first few times you urinate after removal.

If it's hard for you to urinate, try sitting in 5 to 10 centimetres of warm water in the bath (sitz bath). If the urge to urinate comes during the sitz bath, it may be easier for you to urinate while you're still in the bath.