Cardiologist check ups always make my heart skip a beat. We are parents who have had the rug pulled out from under us before and know all too well that it can happen again. But I've learned that knowledge is power and knowing what to expect takes some of the scary away. So, I'm sharing what our cardiologist appointments typically look like with a few tips sprinkled in just in case it helps you ease into that heart kid life. Hang in there, mama (and dad).
Tip: Prep Prep Prep
A few days before you go to your appointment, spend some time with your child pretending with medical play. Make it fun and exciting and really get into it. Pretend the living room is the waiting room and their room is the doctor's office. Call them back and go through every step of their appointment. Use toys as pretend medical equipment. Let them be the patient and reverse roles and let them be the doctor.
Arrival, Check In and Wait: Don't forget your ID and insurance card as well as activities, snacks, stroller, blankets, pacis, bottles, a lovey, water bottles, snack and water for you, LOLLIPOPS (if age appropriate) and any other distractions that speak to your kids.
Vitals: During this beginning portion of the appointment, a nurse calls you back to take down weight, height, oxygen, blood pressure and temperature.
Tip: Practice all of these items with your child a day or two before your appointment. Use a bandaid to pretend to take oxygen on their finger, and use a ribbon or towel to pretend taking their blood pressure around their arm. The more you explain and play the more they will understand during the actual appointment.
EKG: During this test, a nurse puts sticky sensors on your child's chest, and your child has to be really still for about 15 seconds (which can feel IMPOSSIBLE at certain ages). The good news? This test is super quick. The hardest part is taking the sticky sensors off as it pulls their skin and not every kids loves it. It's also hard to see them with all the sensors on their chest because they look like a heart patient.
Tip: A few days before your appointment, cut up tape or use stickers and do a pretend EKG by placing the stickers/tape on their chest and practice having them pull it off themselves. Practice being extra still while the nurse "takes a picture" of their heart.
More Waiting:
Tip: Feed them a snack and take them to the bathroom if they are potty trained or change their diaper. Echocardiograms take time so it's important to make sure they aren't hungry or need to go to the bathroom! Pull out your tablet and any items you might need for the echocardiogram while you are waiting. Drink some water and eat a snack yourself if there is time.
Echocardiogram: This feels similar to an ultrasound where a technician puts gel on your child's chest/belly and gently pushes a device across his/her chest to get images of his/her heart. This test does not hurt but often is the most challenging for parents because it can take 30-45 minutes depending on the complexity of your child's condition. It can be quite hard to keep your child still during this test depending on their age!
Tip: With younger babies and toddlers, you can ask the technician if you can hold your child to help keep them still. For older kids - tablet tablet tablet and lollipops! And don't forget to practice play with them a few days before using lotion and a toy as the pretend echocardiogram device.
Meet with Cardiologist: While waiting for this portion of the visit, try to take a mental check in for yourself and a deep breath or two. Remind yourself that your child is strong (and so are you!) and be ready for an open discussion with your doctor regarding the results. Trust your intuition and don't be afraid to ask questions, and always make sure you leave knowing how to contact your child's doctor if you have further questions once you go home.
Tip: After the appointment if you have time, go to a nearby coffee shop and take a minute to connect with your child again. If they are older, ask them if they have any questions about anything. If they are younger sometimes medical play after the appointment helps them process what they've just gone through. Get yourself a coffee/tea or a cookie and do the same for you child (maybe not the coffee!), and give each other a high five. You did it!