If your child needs surgery and you have opted for elective surgery, then you have time on your hands to explain to your child all about the procedure. It’s advisable to talk to them about hospital procedures and operations, it will make you less anxious. Explain in child-friendly terms why he had to undergo surgery. It’s human nature to fear the unknown. So, if they know what will happen and why it will happen, they will be less afraid. So to put their fears to rest, you as parents need to educate yourself about the surgery, so you are in a better position to answer your child. To do that, schedule a visit with the doctor and ask all the questions relating to the procedure and if there are risks associated with surgery. Find out whether the hospital rules allow parents to be present in the operating room when surgery is being performed, and whether you can keep going back for the night if the child is not discharged on the same day. Once you’ve gathered all the information is correct, helping your child understand all the facts are known.
Preparing Your Child for Surgery
Dealing with Baby
Although they have not been able to talk, babies are very sensitive to their environment. They will easily get distracted by the hospital environment since it is new to them. They are very sensitive to voice their caregivers and their attitudes. So if you’re tense, your baby will feel stressed too. Lower your anxiety level, remain calm and quiet, and stick to your routine to help babies cope better with surgery. Bringing their security blanket when they are used to one, whether it’s a pacifier, a favorite blanket, or doll. Compared with children who are older, the baby will need extra comfort. Sometimes, surgery is performed on an empty stomach, so if your child has to go with little or no food during the day, it would make her extremely fussy. They may even demand to be held more frequently than usual. Hold your baby close and offers all the comfort you can.
Dealing with Toddlers and preschoolers
Age when children can not yet fully communicate their wishes, but still want independence. You may want to ask your pediatrician to speak kindly to your child about the hospital visit. One of the best things you can do to eliminate their fears is to buy a set of doctors and play with them. Children this age love roleplays, and this will prove the ideal setting for you to explain what might happen on the day of surgery. Take turns playing doctor and patient so that the child then you get a better understanding of the scenario. You could even use the doll as a patient with your child enacting the role of doctors to better explain what seems like a surgical procedure. Always use child-friendly language. It’s probably a good idea for your kids to a tour of hospital facilities, and familiarize himself with the arrangements. On the day of surgery, bring their favorite books toys, and DVDs.
Dealing with Children of school age
Children this age are much more mature and more than curious toddlers and preschoolers, so expect to be bombarded with questions about the operation. Be careful what words you use. Explain why it needs to undergo the procedure. Children can sometimes be filled with guilt and feel that surgery is the way that they are being reprimanded for bad behavior. Explain that this is not true, and surgery is being done just to fix the problem. Take them on a tour of the hospital, where they can see and understand for themselves where they will during the operation. Explain terms such as anesthesia, surgeons, operating room, surgery, and the fact that they will meet many nurses and doctors at the hospital. Tell them what all the steps followed before the operation was going on (they may not be permitted to have food, they must change into a hospital gown, a nurse will take initial readings such as temperature and weight, etc.). Talk about the fact that after it all ended, they can see some parts of the body (where the operation took place) covered in bandages, and no need to fear, and it will be taken from within a short time after they recover. Emphasize that they will feel better soon.
School children may have seen the surgery or the hospital environment on TV, and may have the wrong idea about everything. Clearly states that whatever they see on TV is not the real thing. Do not ever say that they are big kids now and should not be crying. This can have undesirable effects. They could only keep their fears to themselves, for fear of being ridiculed. For them, surgical procedures can be daunting. So gently encourage them to voice any concerns they may have and discuss and calm their fears. Phrases such as “anesthesia will put you to sleep” should be completely avoided. The children generally associate “put to sleep” with animals, especially when the animals euthanized. The phrase might actually scare them if they think they will never wake up from surgery. Also be careful to explain that there may be some pain after surgery has been completed, but that the doctor will give medicine to get rid of it.
Helping Children After Procedure
Children, especially infants and toddlers, can be too easily offended after surgery and difficult to console. Handling them might be harder, especially if they can not take and hold yet. Fussiness could be because they are hungry, pain that is large enough, or side effects of anesthesia has not completely faded that can make them feel nervous. If you are alone, take help from friends and family, especially if you have other children to look after. Once children enter the stage of healing, follow all the instructions prescribed by the doctor. Give prescribed medications on time, without fail. Older children may like the visits of other family members and friends, so ask your loved ones to pay them a visit. Visiting friends and family can be a welcome interruption from the pain. Decorate your child’s room with balloons, so when he wakes, he will remain happy and cheerful.
A child undergoing surgery is not a pleasant scenario. Remember that as a parent, your child will be looking to you for comfort and support. So it is very important that you do not neglect yourself and take care of in the days before the surgery, and accept any help that comes your way, without hesitation. The children will choose the tone of your voice and your emotions, so stay organized, but worried you. Comply with guidelines for doctors about specific aftercare procedures, so that your child will recover more quickly.