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  1. #1
    nfowife is offline Diamond level (5000+ posts)
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    Default keeping DD calm and cooperative during upcoming ultrasound (hers!)?

    DD has a hepatic hemangioma (basically a vascular birthmark on her liver). She is fine but it needs to be monitored periodically via ultrasound. So, the last ultrasound was about 7 months ago and I ended up having to nurse her to distract/calm her so that she would be still enough for them to get a good "shot" of her liver. Well, now I am no longer nursing and I have NO idea what I am supposed to do to help her get through this! It's not painful or invasive, but I know she will freak out, cry, wiggle all over, etc. She isn't old enough to understand that it's okay. She doesn't take a bottle or pacifier (sucks her fingers, and I can't make her do that unless she wants to!). Do you think I should try a popsicle? I seriously do not know what I am going to do about this. Anyone been through something similar? She's been through a catscan and had to be sedated for that, and did alright, but it's not their normal protocol to sedate for ultrasounds, and it was a difficult experience for me to go through (the sedation process, I mean). I don't know what can be done. Anyone?
    M, mommy to A 2005, E 2007, and L 2010

  2. #2
    nfowife is offline Diamond level (5000+ posts)
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    Default keeping DD calm and cooperative during upcoming ultrasound (hers!)?

    DD has a hepatic hemangioma (basically a vascular birthmark on her liver). She is fine but it needs to be monitored periodically via ultrasound. So, the last ultrasound was about 7 months ago and I ended up having to nurse her to distract/calm her so that she would be still enough for them to get a good "shot" of her liver. Well, now I am no longer nursing and I have NO idea what I am supposed to do to help her get through this! It's not painful or invasive, but I know she will freak out, cry, wiggle all over, etc. She isn't old enough to understand that it's okay. She doesn't take a bottle or pacifier (sucks her fingers, and I can't make her do that unless she wants to!). Do you think I should try a popsicle? I seriously do not know what I am going to do about this. Anyone been through something similar? She's been through a catscan and had to be sedated for that, and did alright, but it's not their normal protocol to sedate for ultrasounds, and it was a difficult experience for me to go through (the sedation process, I mean). I don't know what can be done. Anyone?
    M, mommy to A 2005, E 2007, and L 2010

  3. #3
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    Default RE: keeping DD calm and cooperative during upcoming ultrasound (hers!)?

    Does she have a lovey of any kind? I'd definitely take that with. Books and other "quiet" activities might help her to keep still while they get the pics they need.

    Hope it's smoother than you're imagining. GL!



    http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif[/img][/url]
    Last edited by Wife_and_mommy; 11-16-2010 at 12:10 PM.

  4. #4
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    Default RE: keeping DD calm and cooperative during upcoming ultrasound (hers!)?

    Does she have a lovey of any kind? I'd definitely take that with. Books and other "quiet" activities might help her to keep still while they get the pics they need.

    Hope it's smoother than you're imagining. GL!


    Elizabeth
    mommy to DD(April '04) and DS(January '06)

    http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif[/img][/url]

  5. #5
    writermama is offline Platinum level (1000+ posts)
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    Default RE: keeping DD calm and cooperative during upcoming ultrasound (hers!)?

    No experience but here's hoping it goes smoothly.

    Maybe you can ask the tech to put the probe on your tummy first -- walk though it with the tech saying things like "That feels fine. That tickles! Oh, pretty pictures!" And then tell DD that it's her turn to play with the tummy tickler.

    Good luck,

  6. #6
    writermama is offline Platinum level (1000+ posts)
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    Default RE: keeping DD calm and cooperative during upcoming ultrasound (hers!)?

    No experience but here's hoping it goes smoothly.

    Maybe you can ask the tech to put the probe on your tummy first -- walk though it with the tech saying things like "That feels fine. That tickles! Oh, pretty pictures!" And then tell DD that it's her turn to play with the tummy tickler.

    Good luck,

  7. #7
    lvales is offline Silver level (200+ posts)
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    Default RE: keeping DD calm and cooperative during upcoming ultrasound (hers!)?

    We had to have an ultrasound of DD's heart to check for a murmur. We tried everything to keep her still, showed her it didn't hurt - but she didn't get it.

    I had to hold her down so they could get the pictures they needed. :( She was not quite a year old at the time.

    I had to do it again 2 months later when she needed skull x-rays after she opened her gate and fell down the stairs. However, they were pressing big paddles on her head to keep it still so she was scared and there's not a thing I could have done to convince her it wouldn't hurt her.

    So obviously this isn't from successful personal experience :) but I would say let them put it on your tummy first and try a lovey if she has one. Maybe bring a favorite book and read it to her while they are doing the ultrasound? Or sing a song to her - anything to distract.

    Good luck!

  8. #8
    lvales is offline Silver level (200+ posts)
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    Default RE: keeping DD calm and cooperative during upcoming ultrasound (hers!)?

    We had to have an ultrasound of DD's heart to check for a murmur. We tried everything to keep her still, showed her it didn't hurt - but she didn't get it.

    I had to hold her down so they could get the pictures they needed. :( She was not quite a year old at the time.

    I had to do it again 2 months later when she needed skull x-rays after she opened her gate and fell down the stairs. However, they were pressing big paddles on her head to keep it still so she was scared and there's not a thing I could have done to convince her it wouldn't hurt her.

    So obviously this isn't from successful personal experience :) but I would say let them put it on your tummy first and try a lovey if she has one. Maybe bring a favorite book and read it to her while they are doing the ultrasound? Or sing a song to her - anything to distract.

    Good luck!

  9. #9
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    mariza is offline Emerald level (3000+ posts)
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    Default RE: keeping DD calm and cooperative during upcoming ultrasound (hers!)?

    Are you going to a Children's Hospital? Even if it's not, call the hospital and see if they have a Life Care Specialist. DD has Kidney Reflux and has had several Ultrasounds and invasive bladder studies at Children's in Boston. She was 7 months old when diagnosed and did ok, but we had to go back just recently at 15 months and I was a nervous wreck!
    I asked the Pediatric urologist about the lifecare specialist and they got me in touch with her, she was a godsend!
    DD did ok with just me and DH for the ultrasound, we just surrounded her and talked to her. During the other procedure they had to insert a catheter and take x-rays. The lifecare specialist came to meet us, she brought a balloon and blew bubbles. Also, they had Baby Einstein videos and a player there, we just picked out a tape. I thought it was going to be a disaster, but I've honestly had diaper changes that were more traumatic then that!
    I would definately call the hospital with your concerns, and if they don't have a similar setup ask if you can bring a portable DVD or similar to distract her. HTH, Good luck!
    Monkey See (DD) 01/05
    Monkey Do (DS) 09/06

  10. #10
    nfowife is offline Diamond level (5000+ posts)
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    Default RE: keeping DD calm and cooperative during upcoming ultrasound (hers!)?

    Yes, it is a children's hospital. Mariza, I had totally forgotten about the dvds- they had a player in the room last time so I will be bringing a dvd (signing times or jack's music show) for sure!! That is a great idea, as are the bubbles, although I'm not sure the techs will be okay with that mess.
    She doesn't have a lovey. I'm thinking I will just bring snacks, drinks, the dvd, and some bubbles and know it might be a difficult 30 minutes. I know we'll get through it but I'm just worried! She is still too young to really understand if I say it won't hurt or whatever.
    M, mommy to A 2005, E 2007, and L 2010

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