Preparing Your Child for Procedures and Surgery

Going to the hospital can be a stressful time for both you and your child.  As parents, you are the experts on your children. 

You know them best and will be most effective in preparing your child or adolescent for hospitalization, a procedure or surgery. 

Child Life Specialists are trained in teaching children and adolescents about medical procedures and helping them cope.  They are a resource for you and your family.

To learn more about how to mentally prepare children and teenagers for the following procedures, click on the links to the right and/or below. 

You will find tools and phrases helpful in talking with your child/adolescent about being in the hospital.

Patient Information

• Preparing Your Child for an IV
• Preparing Your Child for a MRI
• Preparing Your Child for a CT Scan
• Preparing Your Child for a VCUG
• Preparing Your Child for Surgery

Other Helpful Resources

• A Typical Day of Surgery:  What to expect when you visit WakeMed Children's Day Surgery
• Age by Age: Developmental Needs for Children and Adolescents in the Hospital
• Twinkle Goes to the Hospital: Coloring pages for your child

• Tour Information: WakeMed's Day Surgery Center offers pre-operative tours to help you prepare your child or teenager for surgery.