Olive - where are you having it done?

Just to re-iterate the others. Yes she will have a type of tube down her throat but it is only a little one. At worst, she may have a sore throat afterwards throughout the day but fluids will help or if it is very distressing for her, some panadol.

Yes she will have a cannula. This is incase she requires extra medication during the proceedure or afterwards. A cannual means they don't have to traumatise her with intra-muscular injections if she requires any anti-chuck medication after the surgery. Many anethetists will give some gas through the mask to send them off to sleep. This will often happen in the anesthetic room and you will most likely be allowed to stay for that. Be warned that many parents find this an emotional time as one second their child is chatting away and the next they go limp and cease talking. This is purely the anesthetic. After that you will be asked to leave.

It is usually now that most anethetists insert the cannula. Your DD will be unaware of it happening. Then she will go into the theatre and given further sedation. Most use suxamythone (except I STILL can't spell it!) and propofol. This simply relaxes the muscles and sends them off to a deeper sleep so they are unaware of what is happening.

After the surgery, she will go to the recovery room. Depending on the hospital policies, you may (or may not) be allowed in recovery with your DD. If you are allowed, you will only be allowed in there once your DD is awake and stable. She may be appear to be distressed but this will most likely be a reaction to the anesthetic (very common for children to wake appearing to be having a tantrum - it is a common reaction to the drugs and there is no real way to prevent it unfortunatley. They do settle fairly quickly and usually have no memory of it). The other common reason for children to act out of sorts is because it is scary for them. They've woken in a strange bed, in a strange room, with strange people around them, and they might feel a little funny after the surgery. Because of this, I always recommend parents send a comforter for the child to take into theatre. Most staff are very good about ensuring it is with the child after surgery.

If your DD is being done as a Day Case - she will need to be able to keep food down before she can go home. In some cases, they also want the child to have passed urine before discharge.

In relation to the BFing - def chat to the anethetist. If you are going through the public system - request WRITTEN instructions and follow them to the tee. I have known an anethetist at the RCH to cancel patients because they gave broth despite the written instructions stating it was ok. For the record, he was repremanded. If you are going through a private hospital and KNOW which anethetist you are having, talk to them before hand to get firm instructions.

Since DD is BFing, we often recommend to Mum's in this situation that they limit their physical contact with the child during the fasting period if they believe the child will struggle. I know this sounds cruel but the rationale is that the child (especially very young infants) can smell the milk and become distressed wanting it. Studies have shown that they are less likely to search for feeds or demand them if they can not smell the milk.

Good luck for Monday - I know everything will go fine. I'll be sending you loads of positive vibes. Let me know if you have any more questions.

MG