Inguinal hernia

[verytiredmummy1]

My DS (8 weeks old) is having an op for his inguinal hernia soon. I'm really frightened. Has anyone else's DC had he op. What should I expect on the day and after?
Xx

[JaggyThistleLovesArchie]

My dd had this when she was a few weeks old. It was fine and she was her normal self within a day or so.

They have to fast for a few hours pre-op - I can't remember how long exactly but the time for fasting depends on whether they get breast milk or formula (a slightly longer fast for formula).

On the day, a nursing assistant accompanied me and dd to the operating theatre and I handed dd to the anethetist who took her in for the op. The nursing assistant stayed with me for a while to make sure I was ok and then I went for a coffee. When dd came out she was very groggy but also hungry. She fed a wee bit on and off and slept on me for most of the day. She seemed to be much like herself come the evening. She was in overnight just to check she got over the general anesthetic ok. I stayed in a room nearby as I was bf and we went home the following morning. Dd was largely her usual self by then - still quite hungry and sleepy but otherwise fine. They gave me some calpol to take home with a specially calculated dose as dd was very small. I think I gave dd a dose of it once but she didn't need it after that.

She had stitches that dissolve in the creases in her groin which disappeared within a few days. It is over a year ago now and you can't see where the incision was at all.

Your ds will be absolutely fine - it is a really common procedure. It will be more stressful for you than him to be honest.

[verytiredmummy1]

Thank you for your reply. How long did the actual surgery take? I'm so nervous!!
Xx

[JaggyThistleLovesArchie]

Not long at all - just over an hour.

The part I found hardest was trying to make sure I was calm round dd so she didn't pick up on my stress and nervousness.

[GrassIsJewelled]

My DS had this surgery at the same age. He was allowed to drink breastmilk until four hours before, and water until two hours. I made sure to offer him plenty of opportunities to feed/drink in the run up. I took several different types of dummy and although he didn't take to one long term, luckily he did take one on the day as he started getting a bit grissly before he went to surgery and they were running behind.

I stayed with him right up until he was unconscious on the bed from the gas and then said my teary goodbyes! I don't remember how long it took but I took myself off to the canteen to wait.

He was really upset when I went to pick him up and was too upset to take the breast even though he must have been starving. It felt like he was crying for ages but it was actually only an hour. Bouncing up and down vigorously soothed (or confused!) him but he still was too tired / upset for the breast so we took the instant aptimil bottle that was offered to us and he guzzled it and fell asleep. I pumped and stored it in the fridge in the ward kitchen. He then woke up normally to breastfeed a few hours later.

We brought a blanket from home that would have the smells he was used to. It was really hot in the children's ward so he lay on it rather than having it over him and he just slept in a vest (and this was n the middle of winter)

I was really frazzled and emotional after the whole day so my husband took over for a few hours.

We found that laying him with his head/shoulders and legs raised on pillows took the pressure off his groin. We made sure the nurses kept up with the pain relief (calpol and ibuprofen). We were released the next day and he was pretty much back to normal, happy self. We kept up the pain relief at home but he only needed it for a few days.

He's now two and it's all a distant memory. He has a very fine scar in his groin but it's getting less noticeable all the time. At the time it was very scary, but looking back it was all absolutely fine....even the bawling!

[user1489499223]

I hope your little Ones op went well. My son has had a inguinal hernia since he was 4 weeks he is now 4 months we are waiting for surgery. His hernia is always out and the health visitor is telling me to get him to self settle, but he starts screaming and I can hear the hernia start to gurgle. I know he is in pain did any of you let them self settle or did you pick them up? I'm just so worried that not only am I going to leave him in pain but also that the hernia may become strangled .

Does anyone have any advice as it may be a while until he can have an op.

[Newmanwannabe]

My DS had one, and it caused an undescended testicle too. He had both fixed together at about 8 months of age. The op was really quick. I barely had time to get a coffee before they called me. He had some pain in recovery and I insisted on extra pain relief which settled him down immediately. He was breastfeeding so that was a great comfort too, then he just had the regular usual pain relief after that for a few days (I think) and there was no problem at all. He has a tiny scar in the inguinal area and one on his sctotum. You can't see them at all. And obviously he doesn't remember a thing. You'll be fine. And it will be a distant memory before you know it. Good luck

[RaindropDreams]

My son has had one since he was a few weeks old .... he's now 13 months and just been called for surgery! Terrified as he's older and therefore more aware. He has chronic lung disease so it's being done at alder hey hopefully as a day case but depends on how well he handles the anaesthetic, they have booked him a bed in case he needs to stay overnight. He isn't going to like the fasting though! Light breakfast before 6.30am either cereal or toast and clear fluid till 11 ...... he's still on formula as he's tiny but he isn't allowed milk 😢

[Newmanwannabe]

user. My son had no symptoms with his, I only found out because of his undescended testicle.

I think 4 months is pretty young to self settle personally. And like you say you don't want him distressed if he puts extra pressure on it. My DH has just had an umbilical hernia fixed which often was out and I don't think he particularly had pain with it, his would gurgle sometimes too. Is your GP supportive? Can you go for some extra reassurance and advice for what to look for if there is a problem with it? You could always make a movie of what he's doing and show the GP and ask if it's usual behaviour?

[tintinenamerique]

Raindrop - try not to worry (I know it's hard). My son had his op in December at 2.5 so very aware of being in hospital etc. The drs and nurses were amazing. The anaesthetic is great - he watched peppa on hospital iPad while they put the mask on him - he didn't even seem to notice. He was groggy and grumpy after the op but had some apple juice and popcorn and went home a couple of hours later. Good luck

[RaindropDreams]

Oh wow he went home that soon! Thank you, I feel much better after reading your response. Were you with him when he went under the anaesthetic? I really want to be with him but I'm terrified as I've been told it's not a pleasant experience to see them like that. I have no idea about any of it .... 28 and never had an anaesthetic or operation.

[tintinenamerique]

Yes, I went in with him and all the other parents of kids in day surgery did the same. It was fine. The anaesthetist assured me it was ok if I got upset but I didn't (hard hearted parent, clearly). He just dropped off to sleep while watching peppa pig. He wasn't at all distressed - so I wasn't.