Has your DC had to have an operation?

[mumofthreekids]

My DD (age 4) needs to have a grommets operation. I understand this is a fairly common and straightforward op, but I am still nervous at the thought of her having a general anaesthetic.

My DH will take the day off work. We can't both go to the hospital (unless we get a babysitter for my 2-year-old - do you think we should?). DD is a real Daddy's girl and always wants her Daddy (even when ill or in the night) so he is keen to take her to the hospital. I guess this makes sense but I can't get rid of the feeling that I "should" be there (I am a SAHM). What do you think? Any other tips for the op?

Both my dss have had general anaesthetics for relatively short operations. It's quite a shock how quickly they fall asleep - ds2 was very young, so was put to sleep sitting on my lap, inhaling gas... it was a bit of a shock, as he made a sort of groaning/sighing noise then slumped...; ds1 was given an injection of thick white stuff and didn't even count to 1 before he fell asleep. Also, they come around extremely quickly, because with minor operations they use a really light anaesthetic. Agains, as ds2 was very young at the time (less than 18 months), he was particularly upset when he came around, because despite coming as soon as my pager informed me he had been brought through to recovery, he had already woken up, confused and upset, by the time I got there, not having really understood what was supposed to have happened to him in the first place. It was easier with ds1, because he was old enough to be fully aware of what was being done to him and why and that he was going to be put to sleep for a bit and it was nothing to worry about. It was hard work ensuring I kept my "it's nothing to worry about" face on when I was, of course, a little bit worried about it myself!

No point in having 2 parents at the hospital the whole time as they only normally let one parent go down to the entrance of the theatre with them and be with them when they are given the anaesthetic, anyway (or at least, that was the case for me and dh). So don't feel bad about staying at home - better to be all ready to make a fuss of your dd when she gets home and not to feel bad about leaving your other child with someone else, although I know how you feel. I'm sure my dh would have liked to have been there, too (but luckily for me, I have two Mummy's boys!).

My dd is a daddys girl too and when she had operations on her neck aged 2/3/4
she was absoultely fine with him
I have other children so we had to make the decision. Don't feel bad. You do what is needed to be done and she'll be with someone she adores

Dd went for grommets and adenoid removal when she was 4. I left baby bro at home with dh and took her myself. I wasn't invited to be with her to be anaesthetised (had been for a previous operation). She was fine and I was there when she woke up. In a funny sort of way it was a nice day - she had me all to herself with nothing to do but read stories and play games. She had some new magazines for being so brave. The nurses made a huge fuss of her. She liked her hospital gown and funny hat. I had a bit of a secret weep while she was being operated on, but she had a lovely day!

My dd has had the gromits op twice!!! The first time she was about 2 and a half yrs and again when she was 4yo. The trickiest bit is not letting them eat anything on the day of the op partly because this also means you cannot eat anything (or if you do you have to hide!!!) So I advise taking lots of things in with her to keep her occupied, the worst part is taking them down to the anaesthetic room having said that the anaesthetist was really good with my dd and it was as painless as it can be.

My dd was down for about 30-40 mins, when she came round she was a bit upset and wanted lots of cuddles and once she had eaten something and not been sick was allowed home. The difference in her hearing was obvious straight away!!!

She may want both of you there when she wakes up imo but obviously you know your dd best. Make sure you are well stocked up in calpol and ibufen as it does pain them a little bit for the first couple of days and also be prepared for them being slightly scared at how loud everything suddenly sounds!!!

I would have 2 parents there if at all possible, when Ds had an op this summer my mum was with me which was a godsend when he was in theatre as I was upset when he went down and it was nice to not be sat alone worrying.

my ds had 11 hour GA last year :( agree totally re two parents/people if poss.

I think for a big operation (11 hours that must have been so tough, MABS) definitely two parents - for the sake of the parents, if not the child.

But for grommets...I would honestly think about what is best for your dd: if she's happy with her Daddy taking her, then Mummy coming afterwards to give Daddy a break/take over, then any guilt is misplaced
My dd2 had tonsils, adenoids removed and her larynx 'snipped' (she had a floppy one - long story) and was in HDU for a night due to being higher risk for GA: she was just over 2 years old at the time. DH and I took her together, leaving dd1 (aged just 5) with a friend for an hour or two - then when she went down to theater DH left, as he had to pick dd1 up. I admit it was hard waiting on my own, I would have quite liked someone to talk to - so DO think about whats best for you/dh as well as what's best for your dd.
To be honest, my guess is she'd be fine with one parent at a time - but your dh might find it easier to have you around!

My dd1 had her appendix out aged 5. Me, her dad and my mum where there. I went with her for the anaesthetic and was there for her waking up. Only one parent allowed. I was glad to have my mum there tbh, the waiting felt never ending!

dd has had 9 GAs - def go for two parents if at all possible

the time when they are in theatre is hard on your own

DD1 had a minor op at 15 months. My DH took her down and held her while the GA was administered- only one parent was allowed and we both felt he'd cope better. The waiting was quite hard, so I would say if you can have both parents there it's a good idea. But I would imagine that she'd be fine if you can't get a babysitter. I think it depends more on how you and your DH feel.

Ds has had grommets twice. I wouldn't both go to the hospital, for one thing it seems a little unfair on your 2yo, who won't understand why both parents are fussing round #1, plus when we've done it there isn't really space for two.

They're only in the theatre for about 20 minutes. He can come out of the hospital and text you and you can text him back with a nice message for her.

I would take 2 parents if possible, as others have said the wait can seem long. DS1 has had 3 sets of grommets, 2 dental ops and will soon have CI's, the first GA he had he vomited all over himself and me, i would have really struggled that day by myself, he continued to be sick in the car going home so 2 of us was good then. It makes them feel special too, the younger child is unlikely to remember they were left with a babysitter in the future!

Thanks all so much for the helpful comments

DD has had several GA's, the first when she was 9 weeks old, then every 6 months until she was three and a half. She had one at four and a half and one at 6.

Our second home was the ENT ward of the children's hospital and I can honestly say that grommet operations are a bit of a production line for ENT specialists and you really have nothing to worry about.

The worst thing for your child will be being starved beforehand.

I hope the op goes well. Good luck.

Both of mine have had GAs and surgery. The shorter the time under anaesthetic the better they cope. My dd in partucular has had long ops, and felt rough. Grommets are v fast, I believe, so hopefully she will be fine.

DS1 had a GA the other week for an endoscopy. He was only under for about 10mins, but it's still a worry.

We both went and took ds2 (20 months) with us which was fine for a while, but then dh took him away to granny's. There is a creche at our hospital for siblings, but I didn't investigate if there would have been a place had we needed it.

The hospital staff were really, really great with ds1 and afterwards he said "it was fun" LOL

I am sure it will all go well, but it's a relief once it's over!!