3 year old is having a general anaesthetic. Has anyone been through similar?

[alittlebitworried82]

My daughter is having a GA on Friday as she has to have an MRI scan. I was fine about it but now I've just read through all the pamphlets and it's making me really upset that she has to go through this. She already hates doctors and hospitals and the thought of her being scared breaks my heart. Has anyone had similar with a three year old. Can you talk me through your experiences and any tips to make her ok.

My son had a GA when he was about 2 and a half - I got a book from the library about what to expect and read it a few times to him and actually practiced what might happen at the time! I got a builders face mask and made a game of putting it on him, pretending there was air whooshing through it when laid him down saying he was going to sleep! I told him that's what would happen in hospital and there would be lots of people around him to look after him. The nurses were great and were trying to distract him at the time but because he knew what was happening and it was just like the game we played at home, he was absolutely fine about it all and wasn't scared at all :-) the nurses said it was the easiest child GA they'd done haha! I of course sobbed as soon as he was asleep but don't let them see that you're worried or it will rub off on them. Easier said than done I know x

DD2 had her first general anaesthetic a month after she was 4. She was brilliant - we talked about what would happen beforehand and she took it in her stride. The nurses were great - they put numbing cream on her hands and reassured me that if she didn't like the needle they would use gas. I went into the room with her and held her while they put the anaesthetic in and she was so good - just lay there chatting to me. As it took effect she went all floppy which they warned me about and I think I was probably more worried than she was!

My dd had GAs for MRIs at 2, 4, and 6.

At a young age she could sit on my lap and have the mask with a choice of gas "flavour". I suggest a favourite book for a "bedtime story" and a treat choice of drink and snack for when they come round. Don't give it too soon after though as it'll just come straight back up! Ask me how I know

I wouldn't make too big of a deal about it - it's just a short sleep so the doctors can take some detailed pictures. Plus they're very funny when they come round - bit like they're drunk! My dd used to say some hilarious things.

One of my Dc had many GAs from babyhood onwards.

It isn’t actually particularly scary for the child. They have all sort of tricks to make it matter of fact and normal.

Our anaesthetist wafted the mark about under their nose for a bit while chatting so they were already woozy by the time the mask went on.

Just be very calm and IME don’t do too much reassuring, it just makes them think there is something they need to be reassured about.

Will she be in pain afterwards? I was always honest and said it might feel sore or hurt but the good thing about hospitals is that they can give you things and then it stops hurting. That things might be painful.., but then the pain stops.

However… once they are asleep in the trolley it is a very emotional moment for you. I always cried. Just zoom back to the cafe and wait for the call that she is in the recovery bay.

Before and during was fine, but DD was a bit distressed when she came around. I climbed up with her, scooped her up, which calmed her, although she did wee all over me. The distress lasted less than a couple of minutes. I was more upset about her going under than she was.

My Grandson was 3 when he had his tonsils and adenoids out.. he'd suffered since 1 year old.. he also has ASD. Daughter bought a book.... nurses and staff were brilliant.. played a game with him etc..
When he came round he asked where he was.. His Mum told him he was in hospital and had his tonsils out.. he said " l haven't but I've had a nice sleep".. they do put in a drug to block the memory.

DS had four between the ages of 12 and 18 months. There wasn't a lot we could do to explain it to him, and he did cry when being put under with the gas. He had another when he was 4, as did DD. Both were quite blasé about it, as he had had them before and she knew he had. I just remember her being very hungry afterwards and cross that she wasn't allowed to eat! I think it's harder as the parent.

So far experiences shared have been positive which is probably the norm but I just want to share my experience so that you are prepared.

Dc was very distressed and began fighting and flapping, punching and kicking when the mask covered their face. The hospital staff said it was very normal but it was absolutely horrific to witness, like struggling to breathe or something - eventually went all floppy and fell "asleep" within a few minutes. 3 people were holding dc down throughout this. This was age 5 though so a bit older and stronger and able to fight it.

This was despite being given a sedative drink before hand too. If you feel your dc may reject the mask or if very strong willed then you can ask for the sedative drink beforehand.

Another child on the ward that day had the same experience and refused the mask completely. They cancelled her operation until she agreed to have it as an injection with numbing cream instead. So there are loads of options but just be prepared it isn't always plain sailing.

I hope you take this comment how it's meant and I'm not trying to frighten you, it's just that no one told me what it could be like and it was awful. I hope all goes well for your dc.

Mine struggled once with the mask… kids don’t like being constrained. The anaesthetist stayed v calm and said struggling makes them breathe more… once they are breathing it it takes less than 10 seconds. But it feels like an eternity.

rumbypumby Mine had the injection with numbing cream each time (even DS when he was 14 for a 10 minute broken nose alignment!). But when DS was a baby they did put the mask near him to 'knock him out' as he was crying a lot.

Both of mine had a GA at a similar age for minor surgery (one child was 3, the other 4). The staff really looked after them and they were fine. They used a mask to put them to sleep and they were allowed to choose something to watch on an iPad in the anaesthetic room whilst it happened. It only takes a few seconds and a parent can stay with them until they're asleep. We were brought in as soon as they started to come round after their ops.

My DS had one age 4. I found it a bit upsetting seeing him "asleep" as he obviously looked a bit strange, annoyingly the nurse also got delayed calling me to recovery so he woke up without me and was quite upset about it. He also did some big surprise sicks the next day getting the drug out (which I do too). Overall it was fine though and he was happy and back to his usual self quickly

My son has a GA at about 3 years old. The hospital was great (Yorkhill, Glasgow). There was a pre-room that had lots of toys and books and dressing up clothes so the children were relaxed, and when it was time to go along to theatre, he got into a little car to drive down the corridor to it, and he got a certificate for it!

For the GA itself, I had been warned that it can be a bit scary for the parent as they go out like a light, and indeed he did, but I was there to see it so he had no stress of being surrounded only by strangers. (On reflection, maybe that was the pre-med? 20 years ago, not sure now!)

What was unexpected was that when he woke up, he cried and cried and cried for hours. This was not re pain but a reaction to the GA. Probably not a frequent occurrence as only one other child in the post - op ward had the same reaction.

Hope it all goes smoothly for you all.

No not had this experience but my daughter had to be put to sleep just with melatonin once for an EEG and I found the whole thing distressing, she didn't she just fell asleep and woke up an hour later a bit groggy. But I on a smaller scale understand your worry. Found out later some people just give kids melatonin for bed time as a daily occurrence 😂 I was being a massive drama queen but you're not and I wish you all the best for the upcoming appointment

We’ve had GAs for DC age 2 and 4. One of them had it twice. First time he fought the gas a bit which was slightly distressing for me but over very quickly. He had no memory of it, but was extremely upset on waking. For his second GA he was cool as a cucumber both going in and out. DC2 I tried to be as calm and chill as poss (as I was anticipating he might struggle like his brother had) and he was easy as pie - they said they wished all kids were like him! So I guess I’ve seen it a little from all angles but nothing the DC didn’t get over pretty quick. They were both absolutely ravenous after, and food wasn’t immediately available, so pack lots of hearty snacks / sandwiches!