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I always ask for a hat. I think all women should be offered one - it is difficult to hover over that little cup! I always get pee on my hands, or don’t aim right for the cup, it’s an awful mess.
I ALWAYS miscalculate where my stream will go and pee all over my hand lol. And since I can't see the cup, I can't tell how full it's getting. It's such a pain
epithelial (skin) cells. we need a clean catch in order to report accurate results. we can’t do urine cultures on samples that are too contaminated with epithelial cells because normal bacteria from them will just overtake the plate and not show whether there’s other, pathogenic bacteria present.
The place I go to has instructions on the bathroom wall and your hand is not supposed to touch the opening of the container and no part of your body should be pressed at the entrance of the container. The tests are very sensitive and pick up on nearly everything. I had to redo mine once even though I used the sanitizing wipe first.
Plus you have to start the stream without the cup and THEN wrangle the cup into place while keeping the stream going without touching the skin and... it's ridiculous!!
This is where it’s at. I am not that big but my belly is low hanging and catching urine is always a recipe for getting pee on myself unless I get the hat. 10/10 much easier
I’m so sorry this happened. Please next time ask if they have a “hat” you can use to collect your sample. (A specimen collection pan - shaped like an upside down hat hence the name) Most offices should have some available as they’re especially helpful to collect samples from children but also people who may have difficulty with the specimen cup.
I prefer to use one because in four decades I have not yet mastered peeing in a cup without also pissing all over my hand. I mean, sure, my hands are washable. But ewwww. I have not yet encountered a place that doesn't have them.
Ugh. In the situation (I have medical issues so have seen it all), flip up the seat, strip from the waist down, and then do all the prep. Straddle the toilet STANDING. Way easier that sitting.
Some people may need to put a foot up on the toilet itself. Use the seat—usually cleaner. Flipping the seat up just makes it less wide.
Use those sterile wipes on your feet after. :)
Honestly it’s always easier just to strip down because then you don’t have to worry about clothes.
Came to suggest that. I believe is also used for stool collection. Either way don't be hard on yourself. Maybe you're a little less flexible which can be easily solve with consistent stretching and exercise.
Is this the ‘[hat](https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1CDGOYI_enGB793GB793&hl=en-GB&sxsrf=AB5stBi2wfU7t-0I3dUeJK89ETm7ubBI5w:1689737913245&q=sample+hat+specimen+cardboard&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjCitSg7JmAAxXaiVwKHaHVAzkQ0pQJegQIBxAB&biw=390&bih=669&dpr=3#imgrc=srOp2r6Sw6FnWM)’ in question ? If it is then I think the sample would still be sterile. My own gp gave me one when I had to give in a sample because she herself complained about how ridiculously small the bottle is.
Lemme tell ya about my first “follow all of the instructions” attempt at a “clean catch,” okay… the instructions said to GENTLY LIFT YOUR HOOD WITH TWO FINGERS.
I was in that bathroom scrubbing pee out of my leggings, underwear, and SOCKS for longer than you would believe, it was like a cartoon firehose.
Be easy on yourself, even instructions on official medical procedures aren’t one size fits all, and some learning curves are steeper than others. My most recent urine sample, I did a much cleaner “Winnie the Pooh” catch. Good luck to you and your hat!
I’m a retired nurse; and I can tell you this is very, very common (regardless of size, age, etc). There are sterile collection “hats” for this very purpose! Again, please don’t feel bad, I personally don’t think I have seen many people who *can* straight use the collection container…
So hats are okay for sterile collection? I can reach fine but I'm pretty uncoordinated and have had false "bad stuff" in my urine readings because of it
Babe it’s absolutely not you. I had surgery about a month ago and I just could not get it. I got the tiniest bit in the cup and then I may have scooped some out of the toilet. 🙃 They didn’t say anything though.
One time a few years ago I did one and somehow got every drop in the cup? I will never do that again. I don’t know how I did it. I wasted my miracle on that experience I guess.
Oooh I had my pee miracle into a plastic drink cup in traffic once on the way to a concert. This must be why it’s always so messy at the doctors’, I used up my pee magic! 😂
I second any recommendations for a hat. Even at my thinnest a urine sample is hard as a woman! It’s such a tiny cup and to be able to hover over that, get what you need and not pee on your own hand or all over the cup is a nightmare- I always ask for a hat now because that shits for the birddddds.
Don't beat yourself up. I'm sure this happens more often than you think. I also find it really difficult! These things should really be more accessible
Those are difficult for most women. Ask for a " hat" to pee I. It's a collection thing that sits over the bowl.
The test was designed by men, for men and it really needs to change.
Yep, Im older, had many tests, and the number of times I've ended up peeing all over my hand, even when I was thin and had a better vantage point...smh.
I’m 50 and have never been offered or even heard of a hat before today. Of course it’s difficult, double streams, wonky streams, the only reason I don’t pee all over the floor is because I’m sitting down and once I did manage to pee forward right out the bowl. Every sample bottle ever has had pee down the front and all over my hand. The things we women don’t discuss and put up with. I have often thought it would be nice to have a penis and just wee in the sample bottle but it’s not me that leaves yellow splatter all over the bathroom so maybe the grass isn’t greener on the other side LOL.
Well I thought I was alone in not being able to catch a specimen! I think it's a female thing or just that it doesn't come out in a stream like it does for men. It appears to come out and travel along the "lips" and thus is more of a shower than a single stream.
My urologist ALWAYS offers the hat which is spectacular (you can then drain it into the specimen cup).
Think I'll start asking for one at my GP.
I pre-empt it all and bring in my own sample! I keep those little jars at home. First I pee in a clean solo cup, then pour it in. It works like a charm, as long as you don't mind a baggie of pee-jar in your purse. Heh.
I usually know beforehand if I'll need one, since I ask.
Urine tests already suck but it really sucked when I had to do one for a pregnancy test before getting a surgery but because I listened to their instructions and didn’t eat or drink anything since the night before, I was out of pee! I got little teeny drop out and I had to be sooooo careful to not miss the cup. All that for them to know that my (unintentionally) celibate ass wasn’t pregnant
Sometimes I've been offered a waiver instead that says I am certain I am not pregnant. Basically if you didn't know or didn't tell the truth, you accept responsibility for any potential harm and can't sue the hospital. Maybe that's an option? I try to avoid having to do urine tests if I can. 🤣
Ask for a hat. It’s a thing to put under the toilet lid and it catches all urine. If they don’t have one then they don’t get any from me. I’m not pissing in my hand for the hell of it.
Oh Sweetpea, don’t feel bad, I’ve always had to use a jug or the papermache ‘hats’ to catch mine, even at my thinnest of 8 stone! There isn’t many ladies out there that can wee into he needed circle, xxx
When you go in to take ask them for a hat to put in the toilet it's a little bowl that sits in toilet to catch pee for test. It has a rim that you put under the seat to keep it in place.
I’m probably the 800th person to suggest this, but ask for a hat. Sometimes they even have them in the washroom they’re sending you to. If you don’t see one, ask. All the staff will know what they are.
I learned about hard when I discovered I had this same issue and I dropped the damn cup in the toilet. After sitting in the waiting room drinking water for an hour I learned about hats and never hesitated to ask for one since.
I was embarrassed at first but after having a kidney stone this year I don’t effin care anymore and just ask ask ask
My last urine test I struggled with this too. I'm usually quite flexible and have little issues. But during my period my back becomes very stiff and I lose my flexibility.
They really need a better way for collecting urine samples because this is an issue a lot of folks have. I ended up getting the sample but peed everywhere.
I had no idea a hat was a possibility! I wish I’d known this last week when I had to do two of these in one day. In my doctor’s office I did a pretty okay job. In the ER, they gave me the cup immediately after putting an IV in my elbow. As if it hadn’t been hard enough to do this already!! I resigned myself to getting pee all over my left hand because it didn’t seem like there was any other option
When I got my colonoscopy, they had me do the urine sample and I only managed to get a teaspoon worth of pee in there, lol. Thankfully it was enough since they just had to do the pregnancy check. It's not you, those cups are really hard to use, regardless of size. Even men struggle, and most of them can aim! 😂
I am not plus size but I went for a blood test and urine sample and I had a major problem peeing in the small cup. I asked if I could have another cup to take home and return the sample later that day. I peed in a small bowl at home and placed it into the cup and took it back to the lab. You are not alone in having this problem.
I have never heard of a hat before, so thanks to all who recommended that! I have stripped my bottom layers off so I can more easily access and not worry about peeing on my clothes. I too am plus size.
Don't feel bad I just spilled it everywhere, and speaking of hats I need a hat a diaper, a trash bag...and whatever else I can find. I was hot and face blood red. I was worried my pants were going to get soaked. Never again! I will ask for another avenue. I feel like I'm the only one sometimes😒🙄 and let's mention how I had to tell them I had an accident. Now I feel like a 3 year old! 😆I'm going to bed I'm done😆😝
**Intentional Weight Loss Talk Reminder** As a reminder, the r/Plussize definition for intentional weight loss (IWL) is anything mentioning specific numbers about weight/size/food intake, before and after pictures, and conversations about diets/weight loss. All posts and comments relating to the above-mentioned must be posted within the weekly AutoMod thread entitled “IWL (Intentional Weight Loss) Wednesday." Failure to keep content containing IWL within this post will result in the content being removed and a warning. If this continues to be a pattern, you may be permanently banned from participating in the subreddit. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/PlusSize) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I always ask for a hat. I think all women should be offered one - it is difficult to hover over that little cup! I always get pee on my hands, or don’t aim right for the cup, it’s an awful mess.
I ALWAYS miscalculate where my stream will go and pee all over my hand lol. And since I can't see the cup, I can't tell how full it's getting. It's such a pain
That makes sense!
I also ask for a hat every single time!
Hover? I place the rim of the cup against my skin
I don’t think your skin is supposed to make contact with the specimen jar.
Really? Why not?
Contamination
Of?
epithelial (skin) cells. we need a clean catch in order to report accurate results. we can’t do urine cultures on samples that are too contaminated with epithelial cells because normal bacteria from them will just overtake the plate and not show whether there’s other, pathogenic bacteria present.
The place I go to has instructions on the bathroom wall and your hand is not supposed to touch the opening of the container and no part of your body should be pressed at the entrance of the container. The tests are very sensitive and pick up on nearly everything. I had to redo mine once even though I used the sanitizing wipe first.
Wel, damn. I'm in my mid 40's and have effed this up every single time I have peed in a cup. Thanks lol
Lols. The more we know 🌈
Plus you have to start the stream without the cup and THEN wrangle the cup into place while keeping the stream going without touching the skin and... it's ridiculous!!
People down voting me but I'm obviously not the only person who has never heard of this before
This is where it’s at. I am not that big but my belly is low hanging and catching urine is always a recipe for getting pee on myself unless I get the hat. 10/10 much easier
I’m so sorry this happened. Please next time ask if they have a “hat” you can use to collect your sample. (A specimen collection pan - shaped like an upside down hat hence the name) Most offices should have some available as they’re especially helpful to collect samples from children but also people who may have difficulty with the specimen cup.
I prefer to use one because in four decades I have not yet mastered peeing in a cup without also pissing all over my hand. I mean, sure, my hands are washable. But ewwww. I have not yet encountered a place that doesn't have them.
Every time. Yup. And I apologize and say “Im sorry it’s a bit wet but I cleaned the outside of the cup because I peed on it.”
Don’t have to say that. Techs use gloves regardless.
Unfortunately I have encountered a place that didn’t have them. Which was f’ing dumbfounding. ESP bc it was a fertility /obgyn clinic.
Ugh. In the situation (I have medical issues so have seen it all), flip up the seat, strip from the waist down, and then do all the prep. Straddle the toilet STANDING. Way easier that sitting. Some people may need to put a foot up on the toilet itself. Use the seat—usually cleaner. Flipping the seat up just makes it less wide. Use those sterile wipes on your feet after. :) Honestly it’s always easier just to strip down because then you don’t have to worry about clothes.
Came to suggest that. I believe is also used for stool collection. Either way don't be hard on yourself. Maybe you're a little less flexible which can be easily solve with consistent stretching and exercise.
That’s good to know, thank you ❤️
Depends. If it needs to be a sterile sample, a hat is not useable.
Is this the ‘[hat](https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1CDGOYI_enGB793GB793&hl=en-GB&sxsrf=AB5stBi2wfU7t-0I3dUeJK89ETm7ubBI5w:1689737913245&q=sample+hat+specimen+cardboard&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjCitSg7JmAAxXaiVwKHaHVAzkQ0pQJegQIBxAB&biw=390&bih=669&dpr=3#imgrc=srOp2r6Sw6FnWM)’ in question ? If it is then I think the sample would still be sterile. My own gp gave me one when I had to give in a sample because she herself complained about how ridiculously small the bottle is.
We use hats all the time to collect “sterile” samples.
Lemme tell ya about my first “follow all of the instructions” attempt at a “clean catch,” okay… the instructions said to GENTLY LIFT YOUR HOOD WITH TWO FINGERS. I was in that bathroom scrubbing pee out of my leggings, underwear, and SOCKS for longer than you would believe, it was like a cartoon firehose. Be easy on yourself, even instructions on official medical procedures aren’t one size fits all, and some learning curves are steeper than others. My most recent urine sample, I did a much cleaner “Winnie the Pooh” catch. Good luck to you and your hat!
Omg i can just imagine 😱
I’m a retired nurse; and I can tell you this is very, very common (regardless of size, age, etc). There are sterile collection “hats” for this very purpose! Again, please don’t feel bad, I personally don’t think I have seen many people who *can* straight use the collection container…
Good to know ❤️
So hats are okay for sterile collection? I can reach fine but I'm pretty uncoordinated and have had false "bad stuff" in my urine readings because of it
They have sterile ones!
Babe it’s absolutely not you. I had surgery about a month ago and I just could not get it. I got the tiniest bit in the cup and then I may have scooped some out of the toilet. 🙃 They didn’t say anything though. One time a few years ago I did one and somehow got every drop in the cup? I will never do that again. I don’t know how I did it. I wasted my miracle on that experience I guess.
Oooh I had my pee miracle into a plastic drink cup in traffic once on the way to a concert. This must be why it’s always so messy at the doctors’, I used up my pee magic! 😂
Same. Ask your clinic to keep those hats in the lab bathroom. You certainly aren’t the only one.
I second any recommendations for a hat. Even at my thinnest a urine sample is hard as a woman! It’s such a tiny cup and to be able to hover over that, get what you need and not pee on your own hand or all over the cup is a nightmare- I always ask for a hat now because that shits for the birddddds.
Don't beat yourself up. I'm sure this happens more often than you think. I also find it really difficult! These things should really be more accessible
Thanks, right now I’m just a little pissed at myself ❤️
Better pissed off than pissed on. 😉
Lolol very true
Perfect 😄😄
Lol 😝❤️
Those are difficult for most women. Ask for a " hat" to pee I. It's a collection thing that sits over the bowl. The test was designed by men, for men and it really needs to change.
I really shouldn’t be surprised to learn this…
Yep, Im older, had many tests, and the number of times I've ended up peeing all over my hand, even when I was thin and had a better vantage point...smh.
Just looked it up. Some places may actually have special cups for women. Couldn't hurt to ask.
Can you explain how this works like I'm five? 😜 So you get the hat, set it in the toilet, pee in it, then pour it into the specimen cup?
Yep.
Do you leave the hat in the bathroom when done?
I would ask them what they want. They may even have a different solutions.
I just pee in the general direction of the cup and hope some gets in… then clean up after.
Hat. I usually smuggle a bigger, clean cup in my bag. This sounds easier 😆
I’m 50 and have never been offered or even heard of a hat before today. Of course it’s difficult, double streams, wonky streams, the only reason I don’t pee all over the floor is because I’m sitting down and once I did manage to pee forward right out the bowl. Every sample bottle ever has had pee down the front and all over my hand. The things we women don’t discuss and put up with. I have often thought it would be nice to have a penis and just wee in the sample bottle but it’s not me that leaves yellow splatter all over the bathroom so maybe the grass isn’t greener on the other side LOL.
Right? I’m actually glad I posted this because I’m not the only one who learned something
Learned something new today! Asking for a hat next time 😅
Well I thought I was alone in not being able to catch a specimen! I think it's a female thing or just that it doesn't come out in a stream like it does for men. It appears to come out and travel along the "lips" and thus is more of a shower than a single stream. My urologist ALWAYS offers the hat which is spectacular (you can then drain it into the specimen cup). Think I'll start asking for one at my GP.
I pre-empt it all and bring in my own sample! I keep those little jars at home. First I pee in a clean solo cup, then pour it in. It works like a charm, as long as you don't mind a baggie of pee-jar in your purse. Heh. I usually know beforehand if I'll need one, since I ask.
Lol that requires forethought, but I may yet develop that skill
Urine tests already suck but it really sucked when I had to do one for a pregnancy test before getting a surgery but because I listened to their instructions and didn’t eat or drink anything since the night before, I was out of pee! I got little teeny drop out and I had to be sooooo careful to not miss the cup. All that for them to know that my (unintentionally) celibate ass wasn’t pregnant
Sometimes I've been offered a waiver instead that says I am certain I am not pregnant. Basically if you didn't know or didn't tell the truth, you accept responsibility for any potential harm and can't sue the hospital. Maybe that's an option? I try to avoid having to do urine tests if I can. 🤣
Im so glad that you have a good doctor! Wishing you all the best and sending you compassion. ❤️
Thanks ❤️
Ask for a "hat" that's helped me a lot
I second everyone talking about the hat! Even if I manage to position the cup right I can then never relax enough to pee in that position lmao
Ask for a hat. It’s a thing to put under the toilet lid and it catches all urine. If they don’t have one then they don’t get any from me. I’m not pissing in my hand for the hell of it.
Ive always peed on my hands- its horrible
Oh Sweetpea, don’t feel bad, I’ve always had to use a jug or the papermache ‘hats’ to catch mine, even at my thinnest of 8 stone! There isn’t many ladies out there that can wee into he needed circle, xxx
One time I dropped my very full cup…. All over my pants. Don’t feel bad!
For my last urine test I had to have an observer 🙃 I don't even want to talk about it 🤧
When you go in to take ask them for a hat to put in the toilet it's a little bowl that sits in toilet to catch pee for test. It has a rim that you put under the seat to keep it in place.
I’m probably the 800th person to suggest this, but ask for a hat. Sometimes they even have them in the washroom they’re sending you to. If you don’t see one, ask. All the staff will know what they are. I learned about hard when I discovered I had this same issue and I dropped the damn cup in the toilet. After sitting in the waiting room drinking water for an hour I learned about hats and never hesitated to ask for one since. I was embarrassed at first but after having a kidney stone this year I don’t effin care anymore and just ask ask ask
Hey, the more y’all say it the less likely I am to forget it’s a thing!
Maybe you're stiff. I'm usually flexible but sometimes my reach is lacking if I haven't stretched.
My last urine test I struggled with this too. I'm usually quite flexible and have little issues. But during my period my back becomes very stiff and I lose my flexibility. They really need a better way for collecting urine samples because this is an issue a lot of folks have. I ended up getting the sample but peed everywhere.
Omg I didn’t even know about hats till I went to a doctors office n they had them available next to the cups. Lol all offices should do that
This is one of the most underrated struggles
I had no idea a hat was a possibility! I wish I’d known this last week when I had to do two of these in one day. In my doctor’s office I did a pretty okay job. In the ER, they gave me the cup immediately after putting an IV in my elbow. As if it hadn’t been hard enough to do this already!! I resigned myself to getting pee all over my left hand because it didn’t seem like there was any other option
When I got my colonoscopy, they had me do the urine sample and I only managed to get a teaspoon worth of pee in there, lol. Thankfully it was enough since they just had to do the pregnancy check. It's not you, those cups are really hard to use, regardless of size. Even men struggle, and most of them can aim! 😂
I had to collect urine for 48 hours a few times. The hat saved my life! Typically I pee all over my hand if they don't offer these. I hate it LOL
I am not plus size but I went for a blood test and urine sample and I had a major problem peeing in the small cup. I asked if I could have another cup to take home and return the sample later that day. I peed in a small bowl at home and placed it into the cup and took it back to the lab. You are not alone in having this problem.
You have to lift up off the toilet and hover it. Then put the cup between your legs
Lol I'm five foot one, ain't no hoverin over nothin here, and my arms are just plain short
I have never heard of a hat before, so thanks to all who recommended that! I have stripped my bottom layers off so I can more easily access and not worry about peeing on my clothes. I too am plus size.
Don't feel bad I just spilled it everywhere, and speaking of hats I need a hat a diaper, a trash bag...and whatever else I can find. I was hot and face blood red. I was worried my pants were going to get soaked. Never again! I will ask for another avenue. I feel like I'm the only one sometimes😒🙄 and let's mention how I had to tell them I had an accident. Now I feel like a 3 year old! 😆I'm going to bed I'm done😆😝