Can someone please explain what happens when a child has a General Anasthetic.

WantToBeSE

My son is in hospital on Wednesday having a GA and I am terrified.
I have had a fear of myself being 'put to sleep' for as long as I can remember, and am having the same worries about when my son has it done.


Just to clarify, my son has no idea that I am scared, I am being very calm and OK about it in front of him.


I am not sure what about it scares me so much, but I think it may help if I know in advance what happens, and the sensations he will feel.


Could someone please explain what happens, step by step, for me?

stormbreaker

It's a long time since I have worked in general anaesthetic, but they used to give a small injection in the rear of the hand to put the child to sleep in the first instance.
Hopefully someone with more up to date knowledge will be along soon.

I might add that this was for tooth extraction and we often allowed the parent in to comfort the child until they were asleep.

brook2jack

This is an excellent link http://www.patient.co.uk/health/your-childs-general-anaesthetic


One thing I would think about is who will go with your son on the day. However good you are at hiding your fears it may be better ,if you are not sure how you will react, to have the other parent, if available, to take them down if this is appropriate .

WantToBeSE

Thank you stormbreaker, its nice to know that I may be allowed to stay with him until he's asleep.

WantToBeSE

brook2jack wrote: »

This is an excellent link http://www.patient.co.uk/health/your-childs-general-anaesthetic


One thing I would think about is who will go with your son on the day. However good you are at hiding your fears it may be better ,if you are not sure how you will react, to have the other parent, if available, to take them down if this is appropriate .

Thanks for the link, that's really useful.
I am unable to take anyone with me unfortunately, It'll just be me and him.

aminchom

Right, you will both go to a ward and be welcomed by the staff. You will probably be allocated a bed and a named nurse to look after you both.

You will be visited by the anaesthetist and surgeon on the ward.

Your child may be given painkillers on the ward before going to theatre and your child will probably have cream (EMLA or AMETOP) on the backs of their hands to numb them (in preparation for the needle in the anaesthetic room) this will be covered by a dressing.

When it's your turn you will both go to the anaesthetic room where monitoring cables will be attached to your child (these do not hurt)
A cannula (the needle) will be inserted into the back of your child's hand (unless no vein can be found - then they might use gas via a mask to get your child to drift off). Once your child is asleep you will be escorted back to the ward to wait until your child is in the recovery room - when you will be brought back to be with them when they return back to the ward.

I have kept this very generic as I don't the specifics of the operation or your child (which are none of my business)

The most important thing to remember is anaesthetics and surgery these days are very safe, but there is no point in telling you not to worry as you are a parent and this is your job. Be aware we are very used to worried parents and children and the whole team are there to take care of your child and you.

Anoneemoose

My son had an op a couple of years ago when he was 2 and a half and what aminchom said is pretty much exactly what happened with my boy.

He had gas though to 'knock him out' at first and I didn't like it because he went floppy which was completely normal (not saying this to scare you, just to explain it might happen and may seem weird but is totally fine).

The staff were fab and escort you in and out. You will of course probably not be able to rest until you know he's out and in recovery. Take something to occupy your mind. I bought some 'trashy' magazines and had a coffee.

It is completely understandable you will be worried, regardless of whether the op is routine or more complicated. It is only natural. For me it was the fact that he was totally out of my hands and I was completely reliant on someone else to keep my young man safe! I felt helpless. It was, of course all totally fine.

Good luck op.x

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

I'm surprised the hospital hasn't provided a leaflet outlining the procedure. As an adult, any time I've had a GA I've been snowed under with paper.

FBaby

How old is your child? My DD had a GA for an eye operation when she was 6 years old. I was quite anxious too, mainly of her being in pain and scared. I was amazed how wonderful the hospital staff were. So upbeat, interested in her, and absolutely everything done to make it a unfrightening situation for her. I stayed with her the entire time until she was fast asleep and the entire time, she was laughing and smiling.

The only distressing time is when I went to the recover room and I could hear her crying at the top of her lungs. I was therefore really grateful when the porters recommended that I lay on the bed with her to cuddle her and they transported the bed with me and her cuddling back to the ward. That totally calmed her down and I couldn't thank them enough.

She was quite sick from the anaesthetics, but was ok and slept a lot. We left about 8 hours later and she slept again for about 14 hours! Not only she hasn't kept any bad memories from it but she became fascinated by doctors and hospital after that. She is now seriously aspiring at starting medical school wanting to be a paediatrician!

Don't forget, the staff is wonderful and will really go out of their way to make sure your boy is reassured and as much at ease as they can make him.

FBaby

Just to add that when my DD was given the gas, she fought with all her might to get away from it, which did frightened me for a second but the doctor calmly explained it was a common instinctive reaction and she was already fast asleep when she did. It only lasted about 3 or 4 seconds at most.

WantToBeSE

Thanks everyone for the replies.


Its only a day surgery, to remove some teeth and have a camera down his throat to investigate a reflux problem he has.


If its a day thing will he still go to the ward? He is first down in the morning, his apt is at 9am and then he'll go up to the childrens ward for a few hours before I can take him home.


I think it's the moment where he 'falls asleep' that bothers me most. Funnily enough I am not too concerned about when he is 'asleep', but its seeing him being put to sleep that is bothering me.


When they have finished, will they clean his face up if there is blood (I imagine there will be, from the tooth extraction)? That sounds quite trivial, but I am not good with blood.