If your baby has had an MRI scan please can you come & tell me about it?

[AdamantEve]

My 23 week old DD needs an MRI scan and I’m nervous (although know it doesn’t hurt).

Main concerns are:

1. She’s breastfed and will be upset that she needs to fast beforehand (mention the BFing as presume she’ll smell the milk on me? Would it be best if I kept away beforehand and left her dad to look after her?)

1. Don’t know yet if she will be sedated or under anaesthetic so am worried how she will react to either - experiences regarding these would be useful. Just worried sick about the whole thing and of course the results it might show.

Thank you

Yes at 5 months I was really worried, the hardest part was the no bm for the number of hours - how many hours did they say?

I did stay with her and paced the hospital for hours I don’t think I had the nerve to stay away I had to be there.

The other thing that was awful was a delay so I worked out she hadn’t had milk for 7.5 hours it was so bad. She’s had a couple and the early morning 7.30am slot was better as a delay less likely. They usually do babies first.

The actual GA was okayish although the gas she had to breathe made her struggle which I hated seeing.

Afterwards bfding was a god send

It’s hard but it will be over deep breaths

Oh and set your alarm for last feed so you’re right up to last minute

Thank you for your reply. How awful about your delay, that must have been such a stressful situation.
We haven’t got our appointment yet so not sure on exactly how long she has to go without milk. It should be happening before Christmas though so won’t be long until I have all the details to worry over. I’m halfway between googling like crazy and pretending it’s not happening!

My now 3 year old ds had an mri at 6 months. He was very poorly at the time so it was as an emergency and our local hospital wanted to avoid sending him to the more specialist regional hospital where he would have been sedated or put under ga. We were very lucky that I was able to get him to sleep in the mri suit bundled up tightly in a sling and he them slept through the whole thing. So a differnt experience because he didn't need to fast.

He may need a more detailed mri in the future which will mean us going up to the nearest children's hospital for him to have ga. One of his friend's mum used to work there and has been so reassuring about the process. She said one of the team always stay with the baby and she would hold a little hand or foot and talk to them or sing to them as if they were her own. That as long as they don't contain metal that comfort objects were always kept with them and that they get parents back in as soon as possible.

My oldest has had ga for a small op in day surgery . I was able to stay with her with her until she was under. It was very strange to see her eyes just roll back, she had iv not gas. I would ask for the same with ds if he needed it as magic cream works well for him and the consultant who works with him would likely give the choice. She was disorientated for quite a while and wanted lots of cuddles.

I hope things go well for your little one.

Also with breast feeding I believe they can feed up until quite close before the time. I think it might be less than 90 minutes. Our local hospital or fantastic at keepi g on top of what delays might be so not to deprive children of food and drink for long than needed.

Hi Op , I’m a Radiographer and we have a set day when we scan infants under general anaesthetic. The patient needs to remain completely still for the scan , if they move we have to start all over again. I’m sure you are worried but we have a full team of recovery nurses and anaesthetist. It won’t matter if your baby needs a feed as she will be fast asleep.x