Surgery can be such an overwhelming experience that can often seem pretty scary. When it involves a kid, it becomes even worse; not only is the child worried, but so is the parent. But fear not, we have come up with a bunch of tips to try to make the whole process easier.
The tips range from pre-surgery and suggestions which can make your life a little less stressful. And, if those tips are not enough, then take a look at the cars that some lucky kids get to drive into surgery. They are unbelievably cool, inventive, and different.
Unlike for any emergency procedure, if your child is having elective surgery, then you have time to prepare your child in advance.
This will allow you to make them feel calmer and safer, making the whole process less traumatic.
One of the best things that you can do to help your child is to talk to them about what is going to happen.
When I have my next surgery, I want a car to drive to the OR!! https://t.co/6xEl4kAI4Z
— T1n@ (@T1nA_) April 10, 2019
But make sure that you speak to them in a way they can understand.
Surgery can often seem like a terrifying event, so it is best not to use words that can make it look more frightening.
Saying something like ‘you will be put to sleep’ and then clarify they’ll be woken up again after the surgery.
Talk through the whole procedure, start to finish. Everything needs to be said as clearly as possible, with explanations about why it is happening too. Explaining the reason why it all needs to happen can often help to make it seem less daunting.
Tell your child about each stage as thoroughly as you can. The fewer surprises they face, the less fearful they will be about the whole process.
Most children fear that surgery will hurt, but also fear the process of going to sleep. They worry that they will feel the pain anyway, that they will wake up during the surgery, or that they won’t wake up afterwards.
It can be useful to call in an anesthesiologist to explain it all. Having a professional tell them they won’t feel anything until they are woken at the end, can make them feel much better about the whole thing.
Sending your child into surgery can be overwhelming. It’s natural to be worried, but children can tell when their parents are nervous. It’s not just what you say, but the way you are speaking and how you are acting.
It is essential that you try to be relaxed about it so that the child can see that they don’t need to worry either.
We’ve got some tips to keep the child more relaxed, but first, let’s take a look at what adults can do to be less nervous.
One pre-op nurse, Kimberly Martinez, has come up with a unique way of helping put children at ease on their way to surgery.
She has found that the best way is to let young children drive themselves into surgery.
This hospital lets kids drive themselves to surgery in toy cars to overcome fear :) ♥️https://t.co/kTOUzsulEt
— Dharmaraj Solanki (@NGOwallah) April 10, 2019
Mini cars are helping kids in California.
It might sound crazy, but the Doctors Medical Center, in Modesto, California, has two small cars that are specifically designed for young children.
The first was purchased by the center, but the second was donated by an employee and her family.
Driving a mini car will always be fun.
Driving the cars is such a positive experience for kids, as it completely relaxes them on their way into surgery.
Instead of worrying, becoming anxious, and getting worked up, they get to enjoy their way in and feel like they are doing something a bit more fun.
Seeing your child have fun can make the process less scary.
It helps the parents too. The difference between seeing a child going into surgery scared or having fun is great.
This can make a huge difference in how both the child and the parent feel about the surgery. It can make the parent feel a lot less anxious about the whole process, and the child can sense that.
These cars aren’t just any cars. One of them is a black Mercedes, and the other is a pink Volkswagen Beetles. They are made for children from 2 to 7 years old, so they are easy enough for them to use too.
Most adults would enjoy riding them into surgery, or just out on the streets.
The kids can cruise to their own music.
The cars teach safety first, they both have seatbelts, working headlights, reverse lights, and dash lights.
The kids can even listen to music on the way into surgery, using either pre-loaded music or the in-built MP3 player.
The cars help to distract from the fear.
Communications Manager for Northern California Group of Tenet Healthcare, Krista Deans, told the website Scary Mommy:
“When the children find out they can go into the operating room riding in a cool little car, they light up, and in most cases, their fears melt away.”
She also added: “When parents see their children put at ease, it puts them at ease as well. It can be traumatizing for a young patient to be peeled away from their parents as they head into surgery.
“This truly helps everyone involved.”
It certainly sounds like a policy that other hospitals should be taking up too.
Surgery is an overwhelming event for anyone, especially for children and their parents. But these cars are a great way to make it all feel less overwhelming.
If your hospital doesn’t have any mini cars for children available, then hopefully following the tips we suggested will at least help to make it all a bit less stressful.
If you like the sound of this children’s car, then maybe you could take a look at donating one to your local pediatric hospital too. It might make all the difference they need.
ROAD TO RECOVERY: This medical center gives kids mini cars to drive into surgery to reduce their stress and anxiety 💓 https://t.co/78Ind261CN pic.twitter.com/Ltdt2lUs27
— CBS News (@CBSNews) April 6, 2019
Reference: Twentytwowords.com
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