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Original poster

General anaesthetic in 1 year old

21 replies

nuggles · 08/03/2016 20:48

Bit of a worried post really and looking for advice to prepare mentally.

My 15 month old son will be having a general anesthetic tomorrow for to correct his urine reflux.

I've been told that we'll have to hold the mask on him to put him to sleep - and just read that sometimes kids can thrash about which looks like they're having a fit (wish I hadn't read that now!)

Anyone have any advice on preparing mentally and what it's really like when they're put to sleep?

OP posts:

Wolfiefan · 08/03/2016 20:51

Our young son had a general for trigger thumb repair. That was a few years ago but we didn't do this.
Could you cuddle him rather than hold him down? Could you ask to show him how the mask goes over your face? (Obviously before the gas goes in!) hold it over your mouth and talk in a silly voice?

Wolfiefan · 08/03/2016 20:52

BTW remember you have never done this before and you are allowed to be nervous. BUT the staff do this sort of thing every day. It's routine. So smile for your little one and remember it will all soon be better.

Twistedheartache · 08/03/2016 20:59

My dd had ga at 9 months and the said to sit her on my lap facing outwards and with my arm across her chest to hold her arms.
Can't remember if I put the mask over her or they did tbh - but the staff were amazing throughout so just ask

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SauvignonPlonker · 08/03/2016 21:23

My DD had a GA about a month ago; she is 2 & needed the gas mask as she wouldn't tolerate a needle in her hand.

I had to sit on the anaesthetic bed, with her over my shoulder facing backwards. The staff put the mask on, and supported the back of her head. (It was really heavy when she went to sleep). The gas smelled horrible (the staff had warned me it would).

It wasn't the nicest experience, but the staff were great & very reassuring.,

Hope it goes well for your DC.

trilbydoll · 08/03/2016 21:29

DD has had GA twice and fought like mad both times. The anaesthetist blows the gas in her face, she struggles, turns her face away, I have her in a headlock, she screams... Thankfully it is over fairly quickly. My tip would be don't underestimate how heavy an unconscious head is, DD must have rocks for brains

They look v peaceful when they're asleep!

Original poster

nuggles · 08/03/2016 21:31

Thanks for all your replies. I guess we just need to remain calm for our son and have trust in the docs.

It's so hard as you know they will be better for having the op. Just breaks your heart to see them go through it. Atleast at my sons age he shouldn't remember anything the next day

OP posts:

MrsBungle · 08/03/2016 21:41

Aaah, it's hard. My dd has an anaesthetic at 12 months. She sat on my knee and they used the canula, no mask. I then had to lie her on the table. I won't lie, it's hard but you have to remain calm so that they do - to reassure them everything is ok.

Ds has had 2 ops, the first one, he was only 2 weeks old. They did use the mask with him. He had another op at age 2 and he also had the mask. They were very good with him and he got to drive a little ride-on into the theatre.

I held it together fine whilst they were both being put under but will admit to a small tearful episode as I left them in there! The staff were excellent and that made me feel confident they'd be fine. It is a bit shocking to see them 'go under' but they are in the hands of professionals. Maybe take a kindle or tablet with you to attempt to keep yourself occupied while you wait.

Hope it all goes ok for you both

Original poster

nuggles · 08/03/2016 22:17

Thanks MrsBungle, I'm almost 4 months pregnant so I know the smallest thing will set me off tomorrow.

Fingers crossed!

OP posts:

mineofuselessinformation · 08/03/2016 22:21

It will be fine. The most important thing is to remember it is for the best, so needs to be done. Soon enough, they'll be waking up ready for food or drink!

strawberrypenguin · 08/03/2016 22:27

It will be fine. The anaesthetists are really good and it's surprising how fast they 'go under' really doesn't take long at all. Hope it goes well for you both.

Chchchchangeabout · 08/03/2016 22:28

I did this and was really worried beforehand but actually it was fine. Take plenty of food for after!

SauvignonPlonker · 08/03/2016 22:30

I also took in DD's favourite treat foods for when she woke up, as she wouldn't be discharged home until she's eaten & drunk.

So a carton of apple juice & a Frozen chocolate lolly it was . The ward also had milk & toast, which wasn't quite so tempting to her!

Tomboyinatutu · 08/03/2016 22:32

Honestly, it's very upsetting. Well it was for me. My son was 4 weeks old and he fought it, they almost had to put the gas up but then he drifted off and when he went floppy it broke my heart. I'm not saying it will be the same for you but I found it terrifying. I hope all goes well

duckyneedsaclean · 08/03/2016 22:34

OP if you're pregnant, they may not let you hold him while they give the gas. Just so you can be prepared for that possibility.

My ds had GA when he was 1. It is not as bad as you think it will be.

I held him on my lap, they held the mask over. He resisted it a bit, but was asleep within seconds. They told me to lay him on the bed, kiss him goodbye, and ushered me out. Stay calm, it will be fine.

2016namechangecomingalong · 08/03/2016 22:37

DS had an anaesthetic at 11 months. They couldn't use the canula so had to use the gas mask. They handled it badly to be honest and I had to hold him down on the bed as he struggled to escape. I didn't have a clue at how tricky it would be so it would have been good to be warned. The anaesthetist didn't help by asking me if I wanted to say goodbye when he was asleep, as if I'd never see him again. I burst into tears.

My advice is to tell your DC that he will have a mask with smelly gas that will send him to sleep and make him have nice dreams, maybe take a teddy with you so the teddy can try the mask first. And most importantly, prepare yourself that it is not anything you will ever enjoy but at the end of the day your DC is having necessary surgery.

After the first experience, DS had another op at 2.5yrs (and more later) and they used the a canula and it was a lot easier.

Good luck, horrible time but you will be so relieved when it is over.

Toraleistripe · 08/03/2016 22:39

Both of mine had GAs under 2. The thought of it is worse than the actuality. In fact because of the nil by mouth and the length of time we had to wait i was desperate just to get on with it!

They both were starving and super grouchy.

Toraleistripe · 08/03/2016 22:39

Both of mine had GAs under 2. The thought of it is worse than the actuality. In fact because of the nil by mouth and the length of time we had to wait i was desperate just to get on with it!

They both were starving and super grouchy.

2016namechangecomingalong · 10/03/2016 01:10

How did it go OP? Hope it was ok for you both.

Original poster

nuggles · 10/03/2016 02:16

Hi everyone, thanks for all your kind advice and honest experiences.

We've just got home, well around 1am! It's been a very long day.

His op went well thank goodness. Was only under ga for 50 mins. He was a bit confused and drowsy for a few hours after but seemed to have slept it off and boy did he eat well after!

Taking him down to the anaesthetist and watching him cry and kick and fight as hard as he could while my husband held him and the anaesthetist held the gas mask to him was probably one of the hardest and painful things we've ever had to do as parents. It took about 20 seconds for him to fall asleep but he did try and kick the docs as much as he could first. (I had to sit on the floor for risk of fainting) Seeing him asleep with the gas mask on after was heartbreaking.

Thankfully he's ok and we have to go through it all again in 8 weeks! Good job he won't remember, I hope!

OP posts:

2016namechangecomingalong · 10/03/2016 08:00

Glad it went ok. Your experience mirrored mine really, I wanted to be honest but not too negative. It is absolutely horrible but doesn't last too long.

He really won't remember, DS has no recollection at all.

Hope his recovery goes well.

MakeThemEatCakes · 10/03/2016 23:09

Glad he was ok , I can't imagine how worrying that must have been for you and your husband.

Hope he goes onto recover well after the next op too, and hopefully it will be less scary as you'll know what to expect x

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