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http://www.littleparachutes.com/subcategory.php?sid=25 These might be useful. I love this site. They list lots of books relevant to different childhood experiences.

Thank you smile 321 Pigeonx

Would the hospital ho through it with her? When my son had an op at 3 we went in on a separate day beforehand to have everything explained to him by a nurse.

That's a good point actually, thanks, I will look into that. Pigeonx

I agree - my son was at GOSH - they had a special book with photos (home made) which explained everything for a child and included photos of staff. Also he had a blood test once where the staff were very sensitive and went to great lengths to explain everything - they wouldn't let his sister in the room either in case she scuppered things - as he was afraid of needles - so its definitely worth discussing it - it won't be the first time they've come across it either so they should be prepared - sometimes they have special play workers who do this as part of their job

You should have a pre-assessment visit to outpatients to discuss what will happen on the day and sign the consent form - the nurse should have simple books and photos to show your little one what to expect. You could also ring the children's ward and speak to ward nurses for advice or to speak to the play leader who is also the best person to help you both prepare before and on the day. I would focus on what she will be wearing, loose metal free clothing, which teddy etc she's taking and going to sleep - mask/special air to breathe, you should be able to hold her while she goes off. Might be worth discussing waking up as she will have a cannula (IV drip button) in her hand most likely bandaged too. Lots of little ones wake up wondering what happened to their hand if not. Sometimes wrapping a small gift they know they will get as soon as they wake up for being brave etc gives them a focus and they fall asleep thinking about that My best advice call the children's ward for advice! Good luck x

Mostly at my hospital we don't do gas induction unless specifically requested or clinically indicated. Anaesthesia via cannula is more common, but yes she'll be given oxygen via mask as she's going to sleep. I'm hoping she's having her MR scan at a Children's Hospital not a district general? The anaesthetists at a children's hospital will have seen lots and lots of anxious children regularly. There should also be play specialists who specialise in doing advance story work and distraction on the day. Can you check your hospitals website and see if there's mention of a play department you can contact? If I can I'll ask our ward play specialist what she uses. There will be a GA list for the MR that day and there will be a number of children to get through in regular slots, so it helps if you have been able to do the prep in advance.

At the hospital my two go too they have play therapists and do role play with them also the kids choose what flavour gas they like eg bubble gum, strawberry.

Thank you saffia, mummy dream and midge. Great suggestions. She is going to a childrens hospital so I will check out the kind of support available. I suppose it's what I say to her before we go? but I can discuss this with the people you suggested, also the book recc are a good starting point. I tend to expect everything to be a bit of a rush in hospital, the blood tests were taken under time pressure and I'm imagining there won't be much time to go through stuff again with her at the point it's about to happen, which is why I want to prepare her without alarming her beforehand. Thank you so much Pigeonx

Hi Pigeon My LO has had 3 ops. What took me aback was how many people were in the room when GA was administered - which must have been daunting for him. I explained to the nursing staff that he was adopted and that I did not want him to wake up without me (first operation was only 3 months into placement) and they were able to accommodate - otherwise at our hospital they only send for the parents to come to the recovery room once the child is awake. Maybe you could involve your daughter in packing the bag for the hospital visit - I did that with my son and it was a good way of chatting things through. Good luck!

I ask for the Play Therapist to come and see DD before she went to theatre and it really helped. DD gas and we pretend she is blowing a balloon up, I do it first, (gas is off!!) and then she tries to beat me! The Play Therapist should have a mask so it is a good wat to practice. The other thing you could try is are visual now and next cards so she knows what is happening and what is happening next xx

Thank you daydreamer and turtle, brilliant ideas. I think it would be good if we could bring a mask home and play with it in the ways you've described. Takes the fear out of it (to some degree)? Thanks again pigeonx

I am surprised you understood my post! I have just read it again and it seems my kindle has a mind of its own, so I apologise for the extra words etc that don't make any sense!! X

http://www.nhstaysidecdn.scot.nhs.uk/NHSTaysideWeb/idcplg?IdcService=GET_SECURE_FILE&Rendition=web&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased&noSaveAs=1&dDocName=prod_226338 I will link 3 leaflets here, one for parents one for older child/ young person and one for young children. Hope they help!

http://www.nhstaysidecdn.scot.nhs.uk/NHSTaysideWeb/idcplg?IdcService=GET_SECURE_FILE&Rendition=web&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased&noSaveAs=1&dDocName=prod_226336

http://www.nhstaysidecdn.scot.nhs.uk/NHSTaysideWeb/idcplg?IdcService=GET_SECURE_FILE&Rendition=web&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased&noSaveAs=1&dDocName=prod_222069

They are great mummy dream! Just the sort of info I can draw on if and when AD has questions. Useful for me too. Thank you so much for going to the trouble Px

All great advice - & remember to look after you too! We had so prepared our biggest girl, 8, for an op at the end of last year that I was totally unprepared for how I felt watching her go to sleep & how drowsy/dopey she was after. (She didn't speak for such a long time I thought they had somehow broken her voice. Ha! Ha!) Wish you all the best xxxx

And the waiting during the operation!