Baby having surgery

[Chickencrazy3356]

Has anybody any advice with regards to babies/children having surgery ? My little one is having major surgery this month with more over the next year and I’m an absolute mess I cry everytime I think about it.

his birth was quite difficult and he spent a while in intensive care, and I think my worry of something going wrong stems from this. I’m also worried he will be in a lot of pain or he will blame me for the pain of the surgery. He can’t talk yet or understand so I can’t even explain what is happening.

i don’t want to cry and be upset in front of him but I don’t know how I won’t on the day especially when they are putting him to sleep. I’d just be grateful for any advice and if anybody has any experience and tips , I want it to be as calm and stress free as possible the hospital have said I can’t go into recovery till he’s fully awake is this correct ? Will he therefore wake up with nobody he knows with him.

Hello so sorry you’re going through this, wishing you and your little one all the best. My DC was a little older when they had surgery, so I am not sure how useful this is but at least it will give your post a bump! I was an absolute mess about her going into surgery but on the day I was able to just focus on providing calm for her, as soon as she was in theatre I felt really emotional again but up to that point I focused on breathing exercises (I learnt them on the Calm App and we actually did some together as well) and I had a stress ball in my palm as well to hold when she was going under. Singing lullabies or songs your little one likes is great as it makes both of you calmer. I was worried about her waking up without me as well but I was let in before she was really properly round - it takes a while for them to come to enough for them to understand who is around them, so your baby will probably not be aware really of being awake without you?

This is a useful resource about the anaesthetic itself - https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/patients/patient-information-resources/information-children-parents-carers/your-childs-ga
Is there any charities or support groups for your babys particular surgery/ condition? I got my best advice from people who had gone through exactly what we were going through. It was such a relief to see children who had gone through it successfully.
I would say focus on your own support as well - who is good at supporting you, ask them to be around for you at this time?