Anesthesia and babies

[mcfelix]

Not sure how old your child is, but DS had surgery right after he turned 1. We had to be at the hospital early, like 5 or 6 am, and the procedure was scheduled for 8:30. Not giving him food or milk was not as hard as I anticipated. The tougher part was when he was coming out of anesthesia - he was cranky and wanted to pull out the stuff attached to him. I nursed him as soon as they told me it was okay and that helped call him down. Good luck! The anticipation is usually worse than the actual event.

[6fsn]

My son had to go under when he was 1. He was the first appointment of the morning so the no eating wasn't quite as terrible. It was just a blocked tear duct so it lasted all of 10 minutes. Coming out of it sucked, he was inconsolable and shaky and kept pulling on the cords and cuff. That lasted about 15 minuts and I cried right along with him. It didn't take long for him to come out of it though and he has Zero memory.

It's scary but hopefully it helps give some answers.

[Saudade]

fortmyersbride

It's scary but routine. Ask your provider any/all questions you have to allay your fears. Try distraction before and after. After he will be kind of groggy. They'll probably not let him eat until his gag reflex returns. Bring special toys that he isn't used to. Good luck!

[Deleted]

J was under general twice for tubes and adenoidectomy. The first time was just tubes so it was super quick. The second time was much, much longer. He was very groggy and confused and cranky when he woke up. When we left the hospital he was still crying and upset and out of it. It took a couple of hours for him to get back to a more normal state. We couldn't let him walk on his own for several hours afterwards because he was uncoordinated and Would fall down.

Hugs, it is scary. I hope all goes well!

Eta: just want to echo the pp talking about grabbing at the wires etc. J couldn't hold his head up but was just grabbing at everything attached to him. It was scary to see him like that.

[longtimenopost]

DD went under for the first time at 5 months actual, 2 adjusted. She could have breast milk up until a few hours before the procedure and pretty much right when she woke up. Hopefully his procedure will be early morning. She was groggy and raspy sounding for several hours after.

[Blue Moon]

No advice, but just wanted to offer hugs!

[6fsn]

My pedi mentioned anesthesia concerns, but said the study was more one multiple surgeries.

[Yankees21]

Hugs, bricco! I hope they figure out the cause.

[gibbinator]

He's probably first on the list in the morning right? Usually the younger the baby, the earlier they are on the list which makes it easier to avoid feedings.
Ds1 had to go under general for a surgery at one year old, and I was pretty freaked about the anaesthesia too. But everything turned out fine. He'll probably be really out of it for about an hour after waking up. Ds1 was kind of in and out and dizzy/groggy for awhile and they gave him some anti nausea medicine to help. They also let me nurse him right away which helped to calm him down.

[jeaniebueller]

Girl, stop googling. Hugs to you. I hope everything goes well.

[ewall]

No advice, but hugs. We know DS will need surgery to correct a birth defect. Thankfully it's not needed immediately so his surgeon recommended waiting until 6+ months of age before going under general anesthesia.

[Saudade]

Step away from google. Seriously. There are many risks with the procedure. Yes there is current research relating to the (negative) effects in children published last month in Science. But your doctor has chosen this as the best step because the benefits outweigh the risks. You aren't choosing to do this just because you feel like putting your child under for the day. You're doing this because of real concerns for his GI system. But seriously, step away from google.

[frlcb]

My daughter had surgery on her head at 6 months under general, and she was ticked when she woke up. They told me they give kids over 1 something to keep them calm but can't for kids under 1. Once she got some food she was happier. Good luck!

[litasail]

DS just had tubes surgery a few weeks ago, which involved going under (just gas though, no IV). I was surprised at what a rough time he had afterwards. He cried for two housr, until I finally nursed him to sleep. Then he was cranky on and off for the rest of the day. Fine the next day, though.

Hope it goes well and you get some actionable answers!!

[chicago]

No more googling! I have no experience with this, but I hope they figure out what's going on. Hugs, bricco.

[fortmyersbride]

Anesthesia for children is very safe, as cliched as it is, the ride to the hospital is more dangerous than the anesthetic. And general anesthesia is also not something to fear. It is a very controlled environment and situation, and safer in fact than sedation.

There are entire research foundations dedicated to asking and answering whether anesthesia has long-term neurocognitive effects in kids. At this stage the results are correlation rather than causation.

The fasting sucks. I don't know how old your child is but the anesthetic guidelines vary based on clear liquids, BM(under or over 6 mos), formula, and solids. The GI doc may also have special fasting guidelines based on concerns about delayed gastric emptying or plans for a colonoscopy as well. Pacifiers, new toys, and other novel distractions are your best bet.

Your child will likely have anesthesia induced by inhalation of anesthetic gases. An IV will likely be started after he is asleep. Anesthesia may be maintained by IV medications, inhaled gases, or both.

Children tend to wake up cranky from anesthesia. It essentially makes them tired and emotionally labile for the rest of the day.

[thejen626]

I'm sorry about your cat.

DD2 was put under for her MRI last week. It was around 10am, so the not eating before wasn't too awful. I started bawling about 5 seconds after she passed out. It was awful to watch. I ugly cried for about 5 minutes, then ate dinner and just sat there, shocked, for 2.5 hours until she was done.

I'll be thinking of you and your baby. And I'm sure it will all be fine.

[asoctoberfalls]

It will be fine! DS was under general for some procedures as well, and he wasn't allowed to eat for like 8 hours before hand. We found that the hospital was so distracting that he didn't even notice he was hungry. And even after the (long) procedure, he woke and couldn't eat for several hours. He was fine. He really didn't want to eat all day because he didn't feel well.

What are your son's eating issues? My son has swallowing issues, and that's what his procedure was for. He had a brain MRI, rigid bronchoscopy, pH probe insertion (for reflux), and a gel repair for a laryngeal cleft.

[demofea01]

My LO was sedated for an MRI at 6 months. It was much harder on me then it was on him. He was a bit out of it for the rest of the day but was right back to normal the next morning. IIRC, they restricted solids 8 hours before, breastmilk at 4 hours, and clear liquids at 2. He's going to be having a procedure on his eyes at the end of February that will be under anesthesia and I think the guidelines are the same. The nurse said that the younger the kid, the earlier in the day they get put on the schedule so that most of the fasting is done overnight. Fingers crossed for you and TJ.

[Ashley&Scott]

M had tear duct surgery at 6mo & 11mo, he had anesthesia for both procedures. He also had tubes at 15mo & dental surgery at 20mo. We walked, rocked, sang, snuggled before surgery to distract him. Since he's so young he'll likely have a very early appointment time, most places work youngest to oldest. After surgery expect him to be pretty cranky, maybe even hysterical. That's normal as the anesthesia wears off. Bring whatever you need so you can feed him as soon as you're told you can. (BF/bottle/sippy) I was allowed to nurse in recovery after all of M's procedures. 

Good luck!

[rbp]

Hugs, bricco. Sorry this eating issue is causing problems. I hope for an easy resolution!

[catsarecute]

No advice but thinking of you guys. I hope this procedure helps TJ out!

[asoctoberfalls]

Feb 4, 2015 10:48:18 GMT -5 bricco said:

Feb 4, 2015 9:37:06 GMT -5 asoctoberfalls said:

It will be fine! DS was under general for some procedures as well, and he wasn't allowed to eat for like 8 hours before hand. We found that the hospital was so distracting that he didn't even notice he was hungry. And even after the (long) procedure, he woke and couldn't eat for several hours. He was fine. He really didn't want to eat all day because he didn't feel well.

What are your son's eating issues? My son has swallowing issues, and that's what his procedure was for. He had a brain MRI, rigid bronchoscopy, pH probe insertion (for reflux), and a gel repair for a laryngeal cleft.

Delayed vomiting after anything more solid than a puree (potential esophageal stricture) plus coughing after eating (possible aspiration).

Interesting. How old is he? What have his swallow studies shown? You don't have to share if you don't want to, but I'm always curious since DS has dealt with (and is still dealing with) swallowing issues.

[mrssandro]

DD has been put under twice. Once for a MRI and the other time for a hernia repair. 

She did fine both times. I think it's worse on the parents than it is on the baby. Baby won't remember it happened. 

[mrssandro]

Feb 3, 2015 20:22:47 GMT -5 bricco said:

Google has me freaked out:

www.m.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20120820/anesthesia-may-harm-childrens-brains

DON'T GOOGLE!!! 

[CloudBee]

I had to hold DS down when he was put to sleep over the summer. It was hard. But I looked into his eyes, and started singing Twinkle Twinkle, which is what I sing as he's put down to nap/bed.

Everyone in the OR joined in and sang with me. When/if he needs surgery again, I will go ahead and ask in advance that they join me. It totally distracted him, and calmed him down.

[Deleted]

Feb 3, 2015 20:22:47 GMT -5 bricco said:

Google has me freaked out:

www.m.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20120820/anesthesia-may-harm-childrens-brains

I'm not reading this! DS1 (5) has been under three times.

They really do recover well from it at this age. DS1 had surgery at 3 months and was up and nursing soon after. On the parent side: emotionally crushing. DH had tears in his eyes coming out of this last surgery - had to hold DS1 down as they put him under

[darnkatz]

Do not Google. Call your hospital and see if they have a child life specialist. Ours was a life saver when DD1 had a cyst removed from above her eye. They will calm your fears.

Be read for your kiddo to be out of it when they wake up and possibly very upset - screaming, thrashing, etc.

Finally, hugs. He's going to be just fine!

[sixtwelve]

I am sitting in the hospital with my 10 week old who had surgery yesterday. She did fine with the anesthesia. Swaddling and a Pacifier helped with the not eating (may or may not work for you depending on how old your child is). For us the difficult part has been recovery from surgery. I am sure your child will do great but it is hard regardless.