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Toddler Echocardiogram - How to Prepare?

jeffraejeffrae member
in Toddlers: 24 Months+

Our oldest was born with a few heart defects.  Nothing life threatening thank god!  But three holes in her heart, a leaky valve, and something that did not develop all the way (I forget medical terms).  Anyways - fast forward to 3 years old and here we are needing to take her in for her 2nd echo-cardiogram (first was at 3 days old). 

How do I prepare her for this?  Any advice from those that have been there with their toddler?  I know that she will need to be looked at for about an hour.  I really don't want this experience to traumatize her with us needing to hold her down to be still.

 Would love any tips....including talking about "why" and "what" before we go.  Appt is in three weeks.

Thanks!

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Re: Toddler Echocardiogram - How to Prepare?

  • MaxandRubyMaxandRuby member
    You may want to post this on the Special Needs board if you haven't already. I think there are a couple of cardio moms there.
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  • schnappycatschnappycat member
    Perhaps role play with stuffed animals or dolls. I've always been super honest with my kids about medical things (maybe because DH is a doctor), so I would explain that some nice doctors will be making sure she is ok and that involves some testing (and then briefly tell her what it entails). Since EKGs are painless, I imagine just the anxiety and fact she has to remain still will be the main issues. So I would explain all of that and have her practice a few times, either alone or with the dolls. 
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  • will'sbeachprincesswill'sbeachprincess

    DS had an echo a couple months ago (for a murmur that had never been heard before-everything is good though, it's the kind that kids outgrow).  He was only 26 months so I didn't really talk to him about it except to say that we were going to the doctor and they were going to make sure that he's healthy.  Since your DD is older I'm not really sure how much explanation she needs.  

    What I wanted to tell you though was our experience with the echo...it was done at a pediatric cardio office so they had a tv set up with cartoons in front of the table that the kids lay on when they're having the echo done.  So that was one thing that could distract them to make them stay still.  DS was completely still the entire time, which was shocking to me.  We told him he needed to be still and he watched the echo tech the entire time.  It only took about 10-15 minutes though, not an hour.  

    Also, if your DD's appt is at a pedi cardio office, those techs are pretty experienced with working with kids so I wouldn't worry about having to hold her down and it being a traumatic experience-they will help her and you through the whole thing.  Maybe take a favorite stuffed animal/blanket/book.  Good luck, hope you get good news!

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  • SaranJonathanSaranJonathan member

    I work in a childrens hospital. We have individuals called Child Life Specialists. They generally can help you with this question. Otherwise just explain what is going to happen and why. At her age I would say they need to make sure your heart is still nice and strong would be enough.

     

    BFP #1 4/6/09; EDD 12/6/09; miscarriage 4/10/09..............BFP #2 5/3/09; DD born 1/9/10........BFP #3 12/15/12, EDD 8/31/13; baby stopped growing at 5w3d; natural miscarriage..........BFP #4 2/8/13, EDD 10/20/13; missed miscarriage discovered 9w2d; d/c.......BFP #5 10/22/13, EDD 7/8/13; miscarriage 10/28/13..... BFP #6 11/19/13; DS born 7/29/14 {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252 {\fonttbl\f0\fswiss\fcharset0 Helvetica;} {\colortbl;\red255\green255\blue255;\red51\green51\blue51;\red255\green255\blue255;} \deftab720 \pard\pardeftab720\sl280\partightenfactor0 \f0\fs22 \cf2 \cb3 \expnd0\expndtw0\kerning0 \outl0\strokewidth0 \strokec2 Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker} {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252 {\fonttbl\f0\fswiss\fcharset0 Helvetica;} {\colortbl;\red255\green255\blue255;\red51\green51\blue51;\red255\green255\blue255;} \deftab720 \pard\pardeftab720\sl280\partightenfactor0 \f0\fs22 \cf2 \cb3 \expnd0\expndtw0\kerning0 \outl0\strokewidth0 \strokec2 Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker}
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