Our pediatric anesthesiologists have special training in handling the anesthetic care of children. The Albany Med Faculty Physicians understand that having a child undergo a medical procedure is nerve wracking for both children and parents. Our expert pediatric anesthesiologists work closely with other physicians and parents to ensure the best possible experience for children.
Preparing your child
We know that it is stressful to have a child undergo a medical procedure. We are here to help prepare you and your child for what is ahead. We encourage parents to tell their child that he or she will be going to the hospital for a medical procedure. Parents are encouraged to ask for information about the procedure that they can share with their child.
Remember that your child will look to you for a sense of how they should react. Choose a quiet, calm time to talk about what will occur. Tell your child that the doctors will give a special sleep medicine called anesthesia. Let your child know that it is okay to ask questions and share feelings about what is happening.
The surgical process, especially for kids, can be stressful. To help alleviate that stress, Charlotte and her friend Bones the Bookworm take you on a video tour of what to expect when you visit us for surgery.
Administering anesthesia to your child
Our anesthesiologists will ask a number of questions about your child’s general health prior to a procedure to find out about pre-existing health conditions, whether your child has undergone anesthesia before and determine if there is a family history of reactions to anesthesia. Based on this assessment and the procedure, our experts will identify the best method to administer anesthesia to your child.
Prior to the procedure, you will receive instructions about food and liquid restrictions for your child. A pre-operative sedative may be provided to your child prior to administering anesthesia.
Anesthesia may be given intravenously, through a breathing mask or through a regional application.
After the procedure, the time it takes for your child to wake up from surgery varies from patient to patient. They may experience soreness or nausea, but the Albany Med Faculty Physicians and providers make every effort to keep your child comfortable.
The following resources offer additional information about pediatric anesthesiology: