How to Prepare Your Child for Anesthesia

Children undergo surgery more often than you might expect — in fact, around 5 million children undergo surgery annually in the United States alone. For many of these surgeries, as well as for other invasive or potentially distressing medical procedures, anesthesia plays a crucial role in ensuring the child's comfort and safety. 

This statistic underscores the prevalence of surgical interventions in pediatric healthcare, ranging from relatively minor procedures to complex operations. 

Read on to learn about three things you can do to help prepare your child for anesthesia and where to find the most qualified anesthesiologists in Silicon Valley for your child. 

Three Ways to Prepare Your Child for Anesthesia

Anesthesia is used to sedate patients — including children — not only for surgical operations but also for procedures that may be lengthy or complicated. Depending on the type of procedure, the level of sedation your child needs will vary between general anesthesia and local anesthesia. In any case, opting for anesthesia during medical procedures helps minimize pain, reduce anxiety, and ensure that delicate procedures can be performed with the highest level of accuracy. Sedation also allows providers to prioritize pediatric patients' physical and emotional well-being by making otherwise upsetting procedures less traumatizing. 

Leading up to the surgery, however, can be anxiety-inducing for children. There are a few things parents can do to help put their children at ease and prepare them for surgery day: 

1. Communicate with Your Child

You can help alleviate your child's fears and anxieties by providing clear, reassuring information and encouraging your child to ask questions and express their concerns. Consider the following tips when communicating with your child about their upcoming procedure: 

• Use age-appropriate language when explaining the details of your child’s procedure. 
• Pay attention to your child’s anxiety cues and offer plenty of time to understand your child’s fears and answer any questions they may have. 
• Describe what your child may see, feel, and hear once they arrive at the medical center. Your child’s doctor and care team can help by explaining more details before the procedure — including what the operating room may look like.
• Avoid discussing things that may happen under anesthesia, such as making surgical incisions or the use of scalpels and needles. 
• Explain that they won't feel anything during the procedure and that you or another trusted adult, such as a nurse, will be there when they wake up. 
• Make clear that your child will get medication to help prevent them from feeling pain. 

Open communication helps build trust between you and your child — and empowers them with knowledge, leading to less stress and a more positive medical experience. Children often take cues from their parents, so maintaining a calm and supportive demeanor can significantly influence your child's attitude toward the procedure.

2. Follow Fasting Guidelines

Following guidelines for fasting before surgery is essential to ensuring your child's safety during the procedure — these guidelines are designed to prevent the risk of aspiration, which occurs when stomach contents enter the lungs during anesthesia. 

Your healthcare provider will typically give you specific instructions on when your child should stop eating and drinking before the procedure. These guidelines may involve several hours of no eating or drinking for your child. Adhering strictly to these timelines is important, even if it means waking your child early for a final meal before the cut-off time. 

While it may be tempting to give your child a little food or drink, especially if they're upset or hungry, doing so can lead to the postponement of the procedure or, more seriously, put your child at risk during anesthesia. 

3. Prioritize Your Child’s Comfort 

Prioritizing your child's comfort on surgery day will significantly reduce their anxiety and help create a more positive experience for both of you. Familiar items and comfortable surroundings provide security in an otherwise unfamiliar and potentially stressful environment. 

Here are some ways you can help ensure your child's comfort:

• Dress your child in comfortable, loose-fitting pajamas for the trip to the hospital.
• Bring their favorite toy, stuffed animal, or blanket from home.
• Pack a favorite book or tablet with age-appropriate games or shows.
• Bring a family photo or a small personal item that provides comfort.
• Consider noise-canceling headphones or soft music to create a calming atmosphere.

Focusing on your child’s comfort will have a positive impact on their calm and cooperative behavior, making their surgery experience far less stressful. 

Where to Find the Most Qualified Anesthesiologists for Kids in Silicon Valley

Whether your child is having a minor surgery or needs a major surgery, it is important to choose the most qualified anesthesiologists to take care of your child. 

Healthcare institutions throughout Silicon Valley and the South Bay rely on the exceptional skills and dedication of the G2 Anesthesia team because of our unwavering commitment to patient safety and reputation for providing the highest level of comfort to our patients — including pediatric patients. 

‍Our team of board-certified anesthesiologists not only excel in clinical practice but also contribute significantly to the field through their involvement in local medical organizations and collaborations with prestigious academic institutions such as UCSF and Stanford. This blend of practical experience and academic engagement allows us to consistently deliver cutting-edge anesthesia care and offer the latest advancements and best practices to our patients.

Ready to ensure your child receives top-rated anesthesia care during their surgical procedure with the best anesthesiologists in Silicon Valley?