Preparing Your Child for a Medical Procedure

While it can be challenging when you find out that your child has to have a medical procedure, there are things you can do to prevent or minimize trauma for both your child and yourself.

One of the most crucial steps is to prepare yourself so that you can be regulated as you talk with your child.

Take time to grieve, cry, and process your feelings about it with another supportive adult or on your own. You don’t want to scare or burden your child with your feelings about their procedure.

Do things to calm yourself like slow breathing, moving your body and getting outside for some fresh air. You can find videos with calming ideas here.

Plan how you will care for yourself during the procedure. This may look like a walk outside, using a breathing tool that calms you, or listening to a meditation. Insight Timer has many high quality free meditations.

Once you have had some time to process your feelings and practice these nervous system regulating tools to support yourself, you will want to talk with your child in an age appropriate way about what to expect. Reaching out to a child life specialist at your hospital or medical center can be very helpful as you prepare for this conversation and you can also check out the free guide I created with more tips on how to prepare your child for a medical procedure. You can find the Eight Steps to Help Your Child Feel Safe Before a Medical Procedure here.

Please remember that although you may feel very alone and isolated in this time, there are many of us who are right there with you or have been in your shoes. You aren’t alone.