DD needs an op - how much time will I not be with her??

[joster]

DD needs to have an op soon - under general anaesthetic. Been in hospital with DS before, but not gone this far, so never been separated from him.

Are you allowed to be with them until they are put under? Are you allowed into the recovery room too?

Knowing from my own experience of it all just being rather scary, especially the waking up bit - I am always quite confused after anaesthetic - I cannot imagine what she will be like if she comes round and I am not there...

Any info on how hospitals tend to handle this would be greatly appreciated. Not that it should make any difference, but in case anyone has direct experience, she will be admitted at the Nuffield Cambridge. She is 3.

[KnickKnack]

I suspect it will vary from one hospital to another.

My DS had a minor op when he was 6. I was with him until he was completely under. He was half awake when I saw him afterwards in recovery.

A friend, at a different hospital, had to say goodbye to son before he went under, at theatre doors.

[KnickKnack]

You could phone the hospital and ask what their usual policy is.

[MrsHappy]

My DD had some general anaesthetics when she was one.
I was allowed to go into the anaesthetic room with her and to hold her while they put her under (not the nicest experience).
They came and got me from the ward when she was in recovery - she was awake but dozing when I got there. And she was fine - too sleepy to care whether I was there or not. The nurse was lovely, stroking her hair and giving her oxygen.
It honestly wasn't that bad.

[bellavita]

Yes, you are allowed with them until they go under - only one parent though and likewise in recovery.

DH went with DS1 when he went to be put under and then I went down to the recovery room.

The recovery room people usually ring up to the ward to say your lo has been taken there and then someone will take you down.

[KnickKnack]

It was definitely harder on me than him. I found it very hard watching him go under, but afterwards he said it felt lovely

[bigstripeytiger]

When my DD had her ops DH and I went into the anaesthetic room with her, and left when she was asleep.

She was brought back to us when she was just coming round.

The hospital staff were great, and they did their best to make it non traumatic for her. She actually enjoyed her 'day out' at the hospital.

[Elibean]

dd had an op in January, she was just over 2. I was allowed into anaesthetics room with her (she slept through the whole thing!) but not into recovery until she had come round, and her airway pronounced 'secure' (there was some concern about her maintaining her airway post-anaesthesia though, this may be unusual).

I wish I'd challenged the latter more, though they were pretty firm about it - I think if I'd promised to be level headed and stay out of the way the minute I was asked to, if needed, they might have let me. She was pretty upset and in pain by the time I got to her, and it really upset me - though they assured me that was just a reaction to the drugs, and to be fair, she didn't remember it later.

Not saying that to scare you though, I think she had unusual amount of post-op pain, and maybe if she'd not been higher risk case they'd have let me in sooner anyway!

[foxinsocks]

I was also allowed up until she had gone under but after that, I didn't go into recovery either. They brought her back to the ward and I waited there for her.

Tbh, I think they bring them back to the ward pretty soon after they have started waking up so I wouldn't worry too much if you aren't allowed in recovery.

(ps elibean, they warned me about the wailing. Some children wake up totally starving and thirsty but some children wake up totally distressed in a sort of possessed way!)

[joster]

Thanks so much for your messages, they are a real help to me - it sounds like the hospitals are generally pretty good about this.. phew. I did ask my consultant (who is lovely) and she just said not to worry about any of that at the moment, we would talk it through a bit closer to the time. Which at the time I took to mean "things are pretty flexible" so don't worry. Was just a bit shell shocked, so didn't push it there and then to get a clearer answer.

Ahh, I will rest a bit easier tonight, had been working myself up a bit on the drive home from the consultation that I has perhaps misunderstood her first time around and instead she meant "it's bloody awful" so NO POINT in worrying!!

I don't visit the Mumsnet message Board all that often, but when I do, as ever, it provides completely sound variety of viewpoints. Cheers to you all.