Family Forum / Parenting / Mothers / October 2005

E had hers done before her 5th birthday.
We talked to her about it, and explained what would happen.  The
anesthesiologist came in and talked to her right before the procedure,
and he was very friendly to her, so she was reassured by that.

I took a change of clothing for "just in case".  She took her
lovey-kitty and they allowed her to take it in the OR with her.
The procedure was less than 15 minutes, and she was a bit disoriented
from the anesthesia after, but there was no significant recovery time.

Good luck!

Nan

<snip>
"Staycalm"

Yes, DD went from 18mos to 3 years about every 6 mos.
Preparing her - just reassure her you will be there to hold and cuddle.
Taking stuff - a change of clothes. Comfort bunnies of any kind for before,
whatever she likes to be to fill in the inevitable long wait between when
you have to get there and actually going in.
See if they will let you go in when the anaesthetic is administered, it may
get her to not get so uptight - I always held her on my lap, as she went
under. Not pleasant, but better for her.
Be the first one she sees when she comes round. Her reaction may be
anything, so your emotions will have to be on hold for a bit longer. If the
rules are still the same, she can't be discharged until she has toiletted
and eaten without barfing. This may take as little as 1 hour or one time we
were there for over 3 hours after.

A majorly stressful day, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Marc