4 Month old due to have a General Anaesthetic

[OneFlewOverTheChickenHutch]

My DD has an diagnosed lump on her eyebrow so has to have a CT scan, but to do so has to have a GA.

I was looking for anyone who might have experience of their baby having to go through this. I'm terrified, and this is potentially just the start.

[OneFlewOverTheChickenHutch]

That should be undiagnosed

[scaredofthecity]

It's very safe, the worst part will be the fasting.
A ct scan is very quick, less than a minute, if your worried about a ga have the hospital mentioned sedation or 'feed and wrap'?

[Lavri]

Hi One, my DS has had a lot of GAs since he was a 11 months. The worst part is definitely the fasting and waiting but they always prioritise young babies. It is scary how quickly they go under but I was always able to hold him until he was out and then they transferred him to the table. In my experience, they are so kind and supportive. DS has also had multiple CTs and daily GAs for radiotherapy - it is really fast and you will only be apart from her for a short time. But it is scary and I totally understand your worries, x

[OneFlewOverTheChickenHutch]

The length of time being so short is good to hear, it makes sense that it won't take long when I stop panicking.

They said they would only consider GA due to her age, and at that point she was becoming hysterical because I had to delay her feed by 10 mins whilst they performed an ultrasound.

[Lavri]

Oh and we also used sedation for CTs and it worked well if that is an option. DS would fight the sedation though so it occasionally took a long time to take effect (and left me almost wishing for a GA 😕)

[OneFlewOverTheChickenHutch]

Thanks Larvi, how horrible for your DS to have had so many. How long do they have to fast for? I only have m own experience to go off and if she has to be nil by mouth from the night before it's going to be horrendous - she not sleeping through yet.

[OneFlewOverTheChickenHutch]

I'll look into sedation, that sounds like a more gentle option maybe. She is a sleepy baby just a very hungry one!

[Twistedheartache]

Dd2 had a ga at 10 months and she was fine. Bounced back in no time.
Hospital prioritised youngest children so dd was first. Fasting wasn't too bad. I woke her at midnight and gave her as much milk as she would take. Check hospital guidelines though. GOSH allow breastfeeding til 4am or thereabouts but St Mary's didn't.
You will probably have to hold her while they put the mask with the gas to knock her out on - for me that was the worst part because she looked so vulnerable.
Our scan took about 40 mins and then I think we were in ward for about 2 hrs afterwards. She woke & ate and then once they did a final check we went home.
100% fine by the next day.
Took about 6 or 7 hours in total.

[Lavri]

I remember it varied depending on whether the baby is breastfed or not as breastmilk is digested more quickly (I think!) so it was only about 4 hours before surgery. I think it was 6 hours for formula bit I'm not 100%. I used to wake him to feed him as close to the time as possible. (He also was and still is an awful sleeper!). Really hope you get some clear answers, x

[OneFlewOverTheChickenHutch]

I do really appreciate these replies, I'm the typed of person that needs to know rather than be happy just reading the airbrushed leaflets.

Twisted She's bottle fed (like her sister she's a boob refuser!) but a feed at midnight wouldn't too bad I imagine it would be an early start anyway. Holding her whilst shes put under would be my preference rather than her being whisked away IWSYIM.

I was wondering about afters too, if we'd have to stay in. Her older sister dotes on her so we're currently not telling her anything but she will know something is amiss if we're are missing for the night.

[gunsandbanjos]

My daughter had her first GA at 4 months old, she needed an MRI of her spine.

Was very straightforward other than when she came round but that was due to her heart condition.

[knickyknocks]

When my son was 18months old he had a stroke (a whole other story!) He had a CT scan when he arrived at hospital. They did it when he fell asleep naturally. Any chance you may be able to do it round a nap? CT takes about a minute. He's had a couple of GAs since for MRIs. They are fine and he recovered very quickly when he woke up both times.

[OneFlewOverTheChickenHutch]

Guns that's reassuring, thank you

Knicky A stoke? Blimey! Again reassuring about the GA. She's not great at napping unfortunately, boiling the kettle downstairs can disturb her at the best of times. (We're rewarded with only one wake during the night and a lie in until 9ish )

[knickyknocks]

So when he went in for his MRI under GA, we were told to arrive at 7, we were first on the list. Generally speaking the youngest children take priority. We left hospital at 1pm. I suspect they wouldn't keep her in overnight for a GA. We were given a number to call if we had any concerns. He had a spiky brief temp after his GAs but resolved very quickly. By the next day he was absolutely fine. Hope however it's done, it's quick and painless for you all.

[ilovevenice]

My DS had a GA for an MRI when he was 6 months old. We were repeatedly pushed down the list (frenetically busy London hospital) and waited from 8am until 12.30pm which wasn't ideal, but it sounds from this thread that we were just unlucky.
Otherwise all was straightforward - though if your DD sucks her thumb, make sure you tell the anaesthetist which hand. Our poor DS had a line put in his left hand while he was away from us so couldn't suck his thumb when he came round which did make him sad.

[Toddlerteaplease]

I'm a paediatric nurse and babies have General anesthetics for scans all the time. It's safer than sedation as he will have a specially trained paediatric anesthetist. Looking after him and his air way will be secure. With sedation he will have a nurse looking after him. He would have to be starved for sedation anyway. A GA is the best was of ensuring he stays asleep.

[nikiw99]

I'm an anaesthetic nurse. I can assure you its all perfectly safe as long as you follow instructions about feeding. The stomach has to be empty as if it isn't liquid can be displaced into the lungs which may end up causing problems. We do this all day everyday, so although it nerve racking to you, it's normal for us! Hope your little one is ok. Lots of cuddles.

[Lavri]

Hi One, you were on my mind today for some reason-hope your DD is doing well and the scan was reassuring.