Has anyones baby had a MRI scan?

[sleepsforwimps]

My 7 month old has got to have one to check a lump he has on his head. I've been told he has to have a general anaesthetic because there's no way a baby could keep still for that long. Has anyone elses baby had an MRI? can you tell me what to expect and reassure me it won't be as stressful as i'm imagining!

My DS1 had one at about the same age. They sedated him so he slept, but gave it as a med in Ribena ( he couldn't believe his luck!)

It is upsetting seeing your tiny lo going into that huge noisy tube, but they're blissfully unaware.

my DD3 did when she was 20mths and yes, they gave her a general, but it was not truly awful and it was very very quick

she was grotty waking up, but she has always been grotty waking up

Nontoxic the paed said that he probably wouldn't keep still with just a sedative, but sounds like your baby of the same age did? hmmm i might get them to reconsider sedating him instead. Btw thanks for your super speedy replies!

dd did when she was a few days old. I don't know huge amounts about it as we weren't there.

Many anaesthetists prefer to give a GA to children, rather than sedating them as they feel it's safer (they have control of the airway with a GA, and just use a very light GA)

My baby had one when she was about 6 weeks old. They didn't anaesthetise her though. They put us in a quiet and dark room so I could take as much time as I needed to get her to sleep. They were really good and patient about it.

It's horrid seeing them in the huge machine. The machine is quite loud and bangy. She was fine though.

Good luck

My dd had one when she was 4 weeks old. She had a GA and I could stay with her until she was asleep. I would have loved to just get her off to sleep, as she was a good deep sleeper, and it would haveworked, but wasn't offered that option. I wasn't in the room for the MRI, but waited next door. It wasn't too bad and really wasn't too long, she woke up pretty quickly and was OK. The worst part was she couldn't eat before hand. On balance I was more concerned about the possible lump on her heartthan the GA!
Hope it all goes well for you

ds had regular ones since he was 10 days old. Until he was over about 18mths we just went in with him, talked to him and kept him calm. It's hot and noisy (incessant banging noise)and claustrophobic. Since he has been older they have to do with a GA but it is quick, they knock him out with gas before any needles. Hard to leave them but they've always been very understanding, but then we have always been to children's hospitals. Agree when we were last on list keeping him nil by mouth the hardest part as he usually eats nonstop. Good luck