Managing your child's pain
At first, your child will receive pain medication, usually morphine, through an intravenous (IV) line. As your child recovers, they will take acetaminophen or codeine by mouth to manage the pain. By the time your child goes home, they should not need pain medication any more.
After the operation
Your child will have an intravenous line (IV). An IV is a thin tube that lets us give liquids and medicines directly into your child's veins. Your child will have the IV in place until they are drinking well.
Your child may have a small amount of bleeding at the place where the cut was made.
Dilating the stoma
The opening on your child's belly is called the stoma. It usually needs to be dilated (stretched) each day, sometimes several times a day. The dilation stretches the skin around the stoma. This makes sure that it stays open enough for urine to drain out. Dilations are done with a catheter.
Your child's nurse will teach you how to do these dilations. Your doctor will let you know how often they need to be done at home and for how long.
Your child's skin
You will need to pay special attention to the condition of your child's skin after surgery. The nurse will show you how to diaper your child. This will make sure the urine is absorbed and your child's clothing is protected. Once you are home, your child can have a bath as usual.
