If a child goes into hospital for an op ....

[Mulanmum]

... can one of its parents stay with it?Obviously not in the operating theatre but overnight on the, erm, ward or in a private room?

Please don't scream "PFB" at me, but mine has a hospital appt next week and I'm worried she might need an op and she's never fallen asleep without one of us beside her. She's nearly 4. Anyone know?

yes. afaik they will not make a 4yo stay alone

they can.
where you sleep depends on the hospital. I have slept on a matress in a another room and next to him in a chair. a lot of the mums of younger ones just pulled the curatins round the bed and got in with their child.
nothing to do with PFB, hospitals are scare places for little people.

ds was 15 when he had his last op and I was still going to stay.

Yes, parents can stay.
I still do with DS2 (10).
Perfectly acceptable.

They have fold up chair beds that are horrid by the side of each child's bed but you don't have to stay. I would take a spare blanket and pillow as there are normally not enough pillows to go around and it can get chilly at night. Remember the ear plugs.

Normally, yes -- Z-bed or chair, depending on facilities. You'll probably have to feed yourself, though (the children's ward at our local hospital has a small kitchenette with microwave for the use of accompanying parents).

Hi Mulanmum, the possibility of a child going in to hospital is scarey. Feel free to post without anyone screaming PFB (and even if they do, there'll be plenty of us looking out for you and ignoring them!)

Yes you can stay. Usually only one of you and they most often provide a z-bed next to your child's bed (although sometimes it's just a chair if you'e very unlucky).

It's not PFB to stay with your 4 year old. I stayed with my 14 year old last time she was in and she's my precious 3rd born

Oh yes - take your own pillow. They're usually like gold dust!

Thanks very much for putting my mind at rest. Once I know if she does need an op or not I'll get back to your for reassurance on general anaesthetic!

I will add this thread to my watched ones. ds has had about 8 ops.

yes. dh stayed with dd1 when she was admitted overnight after an asthma attack when she was 2. i recently had to take dd3 in for day surgey, but was given a side room for the day, just in case she had to stay over.

I stayed with DD when she was 11 months old. She didn't have an op but was kept in overnight for suspected meningitis. They provided a cot for DD, a bed for me and a chair that went into a bed for DH. We all stayed in a private room, free of charge

Childrens ward her
z beds beside each childs bed, nearly every child under 12 had a parent staying. Very noist with kids crying, coughing and mums snoring. Pillows usually have water proof covers and are cruncy and sweaty. Need a decent nighty and or gown for trips to loo and early morning vitals check.

Take a few food and drink supplies as you will have to go to canteen to eat and if child is frantic you might not want to go that far.

You can usually get a cuppa but will have to drink it in the visitor lounge bit probably.

Hopefully they have individual TV's, kids usually get access free and they can go online or watch TV, amuses tham for a few hours.

A little goody box for DD can also amuse them, pencils, mini things, little toys, padlock to fiddle with, nice mini toiletries, etc.