Having trouble urinating? Learn about the Credé Maneuver to help empty your bladder

Do you sometimes feel like you have a hard time urinating , like your bladder isn't emptying properly? Or are you unable to urinate due to a medical condition? Today, we're going to talk about a simple method that can help you urinate temporarily. This is called the Credé Maneuver.

What is the Credé Maneuver?

Simply put, this involves gently applying external pressure to your lower abdomen, below your navel, to help empty your bladder. It's like squeezing a water-filled balloon and letting the water out.

This method was first introduced to help remove the placenta during childbirth, but later it began to be used to help people who have difficulty urinating . There is a muscle in our bladder, called the ``detrusor muscle''. When this muscle contracts, we urinate. Due to some medical conditions, this muscle may not work properly. That is when this method of cremation is used, applying pressure from the outside to empty the bladder.

In what situations is this method used?

The Crede method is mainly used to manage a condition called urinary retention , which is when the bladder is unable to empty completely. This can have several causes.

Is it safe to continue using this method?

This is a very important point. The Credo method is never a long-term solution . It should only be used temporarily. If you have a problem with urinary retention, you should definitely see your doctor and get the right treatment for it, for example, a tube (Foley catheter ) inserted.

How to do the Credé Maneuver?

Although you can do this yourself, it is essential to first learn the correct way to do it from a doctor or trained nurse. It is best to demonstrate it to them to make sure it is done correctly.

This is usually done like this:

• First, sit/stand on the toilet or on a bed.
• Then place your hands on the lower part of your stomach, below your navel and above your pubic bone.
• Now gently rub downwards with your palm. Or gently tap with your fingers. This will start the bladder emptying.
• Another method is to gently press the area inward with your palm or fingertips. You should maintain this pressure until the urine stops flowing.
• If you're doing this yourself, you can apply more pressure by leaning forward a little while tightening.

What are the benefits and risks of this?

Like any medical procedure, this one has both benefits and risks.

What are the alternatives to the Crede system?

Fortunately, there are other safe and long-term ways to treat urinary retention. Your doctor will choose the one that is best for your situation.

• Foley Catheter : A doctor inserts a catheter into the urethra and collects urine in a bag.
• Self-catheterization: Inserting a temporary catheter, passing urine, and then removing the catheter immediately. This should also be learned from a doctor.
• Medications: Antibiotics for urinary tract infections, alpha-blockers for prostate enlargement, etc.
• Surgery: Surgery to remove kidney stones (ureteroscopy, shockwave lithotripsy), surgery to remove the prostate gland (prostatectomy).
• Pelvic floor exercises: Kegel exercisesYou can strengthen the muscles that control urination with exercises like:

When should I see a doctor?

This is something you should definitely remember. If you have any difficulty or pain when urinating , especially if you have not urinated for more than 6 hours and feel a tightness or pressure in your lower abdomen, see a doctor immediately . Sometimes this can be an emergency. If this happens, you will be taken straight to the Emergency Department (ETU) . Do not put things like this off, as it can cause permanent damage to your kidneys.