The blanket rule is that she will need to fast from midnight - nothing to eat or drink - until after the surgery. We say this because we need the stomach to be empty to avoid aspiration. However, what we don't usually tell people (because there are a great many nitwits out there who are unable to follow instructions or think they don't apply to them!) is that you can have SIPS of water until about 4 hours before the surgery. So, if at 1am she is really struggling, give her 20ml of water. If at 4 am she is really really struggling (and I mean you are at a point of desperation), give her 20ml of water. THIS IS SAFE TO DO. BUT, it needs to be water - not milk. You could give her watered down APPLE juice at 1 or 2am (but no more than 20ml total). Do not give her an accumulation of 20 ml drinks - I wouldn't do it more than three times before 4am. Does that all make sense?

Most hospitals are good with young children and letting parents into recovery. But don't panic if you aren't - they will take good care of her. Not being allowed in does not mean there is something wrong with DD - it may be that they have a very sick patient in the recovery area and can't have extra people around (for loads of reasons). And don't panic about the length of time she is in theatre/recovery. Recovery can take a while because they can't send patients out until they are as pain free as possible and have almost no nausea. And some children take a while to wake up. It will also depend on how much anesthetic they have had. We have an anethetist at work who totally bombs patients out in the room but then gives them a reversal drug so that they are wide awake when they come out to us! Also be prepared that most hospitals will only allow ONE parent into the anesthetic room and recovery (doesn't have to be the same parent). Many recovery room nurses will also let you feed in recovery but make sure you check with them first. I know at RCH it is encouraged in the Day Surg Unit that parents feed in recovery.

If you do go into recovery, don't be concerned by the little peg like thing on her. It will either literally look like a peg and be on a finger or toe; or like a miniture peg and be attached to her ear. This is simply to tell us what her heart rate is and how much oxygen is in her body. She may also have an oxygen mask on - this just helps them wake a little quicker. She may also have a bandage around her hand (or foot) which is how many nurses ensure the cannula stays in place if your DD becomes agitated by it and tries to pull it out - try to distract her. It is best it stays in until the nurses are ready to take it out just in case she requires any medication (pain relief or anti-chuck. It is much nicer for the child and parents if we give it via the cannula as opposed to a needle in the leg or bottom).

When you dress her for the day - dress her in something that buttons down the front if possible. Some hospitals will allow you to send them into theatre in their own clothes - but only if they have buttons down the front so we have easy access to the chest if we require it.

You will be fine. Try not to stress about it and try to remain calm - DD will pick up on it if you're not. Try chat to the anethetist and remember - she will be ok. At the risk of sounding off, rude, or non-caring... there are many younger children that do this (fasting) every day and are ok. It is heartbreaking because you just want to feed them... but you have to stay strong.