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

esmy

FBaby wrote: »

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.

My daughter was the same - she had the gas because they couldn't get a vein in her hand. I was told it was an effect of the anaesthetic drug??

Expect to cry when you leave him,OP - I've not met a mum who hasn't! My daughter came round upset initially, then starving, ate 3 bowls of rice krispies, threw up and was right as rain thereafter!

Just to add, take something to entertain him in case you have a wait before the surgery - timings don't always go to plan.

Anoneemoose

esmy wrote: »

My daughter was the same - she had the gas because they couldn't get a vein in her hand. I was told it was an effect of the anaesthetic drug??

Expect to cry when you leave him,OP - I've not met a mum who hasn't! My daughter came round upset initially, then starving, ate 3 bowls of rice krispies, threw up and was right as rain thereafter!

Just to add, take something to entertain him in case you have a wait before the surgery - timings don't always go to plan.

I agree. My son had a right wriggle on and it felt so unnatural and wrong to let them carry on. But it was literally seconds and then he was asleep. As I said, the thing that unsettled me most was the moment where the anaesthetic 'caught up' with him and he went from fighting to floppy in a second. As a mum, it is awful to watch because it goes against your instincts but it will be over in a flash.

I don't know for sure but I imagine they will clean him as much as possible without disturbing things too much.

My son had his in a day unit and stayed in the bed in there for a few hours. It may be that your hospital use a section of the children's ward as the recovery area. Regardless of where, it is pretty much the same thing. They monitor them for the few hours and try and get them to drink and eat something...maybe just a drink for your little one op with it being his teeth.

FBaby

I was told it was an effect of the anaesthetic drug??

Yes, that's what I was told too. DD certainly didn't remember any of it, she thought is was funny.

As a mum, it is awful to watch because it goes against your instincts but it will be over in a flash.

Totally agree with this, I had to fight myself not to go to her to comfort her. I think it would have helped if they'd warned it could happen, especially since it seems to be a common reaction, but yes, it is over before we can act on our instinct!

WantToBeSE

Thanks everyone. Nothing I can do, so just have to get on with it.
Just have to think of the long term benefits as opposed to the short term fear.

unsurewhichway

My daughter had one in September for a hernia operation, she was 2years and 10 months at the time. I was PETRIFIED, but the staff were fantastic, explaining everything to me and also to her (not in as much detail) but she's the type of child that likes to know what's happening.
when we went to have the GA, I went with her into the room and she was on my lap - the anaethetist took her hand behind me and injected her - she was actually trying to look the whole time and didn't seem phased. The staff then allowed me to lay her down while they put an oxygen mask over her face and led me out and said they would phone me when she was awake. So although I was highly stressed, she wasn't and within 45 minutes she was done and after some water and a little sleep was back to normal. I noticed on the ward afterwards, a couple of the older kids felt a bit woozy but it seeme dthe more they drank and ate afterwards, the quicker they felt better. We left the hospital 3 hours later and she's been fine ever since.
I hope it goes ok, it is worse for us than it is for them I think - be brave xx

WantToBeSE

Thanks I am just wanting it to be over and done with now, and so is he.

WantToBeSE

Thanks everyone for the advice, it went fine. I am glad you all told me about how strange it is when they just fall asleep in seconds, as I was prepared for it (thankfully).


They all said how well he coped with it and he came around giggling and smiling. We stayed for a few hours and went home shortly after.

aminchom

Im really glad it's gone well.

I hope you both stay well.

maddiemay

That is great news.:)

Anoneemoose

Thanks for updating us. Glad he did well and you're both ok.