Staying with your child

Can I stay with my child during the procedure?

We understand your desire to remain with your child during your procedure. Your presence is welcome during the beginning stages of anesthesia as we begin your child’s anesthesia. However, once your child is asleep under anesthesia, because of our desire to focus upon and care for your child in the best possible manner, your continued presence in the procedure room is neither recommended nor allowed.

Even though many people have received anesthesia in the past, most have never seen anesthesia provided in front of them. Consequently, being present with your child during anesthesia means being confronted with many new things. Parents in that situation often will impulsively and incessantly ask questions such as:

• “Is everything okay? Is my child okay?”
• “Is that normal?”
• “What are you doing?”
• “What’s going on?”
• “What do these numbers on the monitor mean?”

Even though such questions are legitimate, answering them requires that your healthcare providers be distracted from the care of your child, which is neither good nor safe. Even if you were to remain entirely silent, we would naturally be concerned whether you are doing well and are comfortable with the entire experience. No doubt you would instead prefer that we be able to focus all of our attention on your child and not have to divide that attention.

Perhaps another way to address the desire to remain present with your child is to note the difference between a non-anesthesia procedure and one involving anesthesia. During a non-anesthesia case (such as during a typical visit to the dentist), your presence is incredibly helpful since you often are needed to reassure your child so that he/she is able to cooperate with the dentist. During an anesthesia case though, once your child is asleep, reassuring your child is no longer a relevant concern.

We welcome your involvement and questions before the procedure, and so if you have any questions beforehand, please feel free to ask them. During the procedure, we will do our best to provide updates to you in the waiting room.