The prevalence of silent postpartum retention of urine in a heterogeneous cohort

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of silent postpartum retention of urine. It included 100 patients within 48 h from delivery or removal of indwelling catheters, when such catheters were inserted during labour. Residual urine was estimated using a portable bladder scan. A total of 37 patients (37%) had a post void residual bladder volume > 150 ml; the volume was between 151-200 ml in 26 patients (26%) and > 200 ml in 11 patients (11%). No association was found with time since delivery, or catheter removal in those catheterised at the time of delivery, catheterisation at the time of delivery, use of regional anaesthesia, or mode of delivery. This showed that silent retention of urine affects a significant proportion of various groups of patients after delivery, which calls for further research into this area.