The Day of the Procedure

Anesthesia and the Induction Room

Anesthesia keeps your child in a special sleep for his / her procedure.
It is given to prevent feeling pain during the procedure.
When the procedure is over, the anesthesia will be stopped.
Your child will then begin the wake up period. Some children wake quickly. Others stay asleep for a period of time.
Because of anesthesia, your child will not remember the operation.

The anesthesia doctors (called anesthesiologists - pronounced an-uhs-thee-zee-ol-uh-jists) and nurses trained in anesthesia for children (called nurse anesthetists - pronounced uh-nes-thi-tists), work together as a team.
They will choose the best anesthetic for your child.
Make sure to tell them if your child has had nausea or other reactions as a result of anesthesia or medication.
You will meet your child's anesthesia doctor before his / her procedure.

For most procedures, anesthesia is given in the induction room located next to the operating room.
"Induction" is the start of anesthesia and usually takes less than 5 minutes.
If you choose, one parent or guardian may be present in the induction room for the start of anesthesia.
If you are not present during the induction period, please know we will comfort and support your child.
If you go into the induction room, you may want to hold your child's hand and talk or sing softly. This can be a comfort to both of you.
Your child may bring a favorite doll, stuffed animal, blanket or comfort item into the induction room.

For your child's safety, the anesthesiologist may decide not to start anesthesia in the induction room.

Other reasons for not using the induction room include:

Your child is under 10 months old.
Your child is over 12 years old.
Your child has breathing, heart or other medical conditions.
Your child is getting anesthesia medicine through an IV.
Some operating rooms do not have an induction room. The start of anesthesia for your child may be in the operating room without you there.
You may give your child a hug or kiss before he / she goes to the operating room. Then you will go the surgery waiting room.

You may not be invited into the induction room if:

Children become sleepy from anesthesia. Your child will close his / her eyes and fall asleep.
Some children enter a stage of excitement. They may move their arms or legs. Their movements can range from gentle to more forceful.
Some appear dizzy, breathe noisily or cough.
You may also see unusual eye movements.
This may be upsetting for you to see, but this is all very normal. Your child will not remember this stage.
Staff will be at the bedside to reassure and support you and your child during this time.