Getting ear tubes seems to be a fairly common practice among parents, but when it is your first time, it can be scary and unnerving.

My sisters had tubes when they were little and I have had several friends whose child has gotten tubes, but this was our first go round and while I was sure she would be okay, it’s still frightening so I thought I would share our experience.

Ear infections are common in little ones. Buggy had a small hand few when she was younger. Buddy tended to get them more regularly, but still on an every couple of month basis. Baby Girl got her first ear infection in August 2013, but beginning in November 2013, we were in the peditrician’s office every 10 days.

We took her at the end of November and she had an ear infection. We treated it with the same antibiotic as the first infection, but were back ten days later with another ear infection. This time, we tried a new medication. Ten days later, we were back with another infection and another antibiotic to try.

She had five ear infections from the end of November 2013 until the end of January 2014/beginning of February 2014 at which time we discussed bilateral ear tubes (ear tubes in each ear).

We were informed that fluid was building up behind her eardrums and that the build up of fluid can interfer with hearing and cause pain. Additionally we were educated that continual ear infections could cause hearing issues, speech issues, and coordination issues which is why we decided to go ahead with getting ear tubes (that and paying a co-pay to our pediatrican every 10 days was adding up, along with the cost of an antibiotic every ten days!)

We were informed that the procedure involved her being put under general anesthesia where they would cut a little cut into her ear drum. A teeny tiny tube the size of a pen tip, would be place in that cut in her ear drum. This would help the fluid drain from behind the eardrums.

While every procedure may be different, here was ours:

• We went into for a
  
  consultation
  
  a week or two prior to have the ENT evaluate her ears and see if tubes would be a good idea.
• After our insurance was verified, we
  
  scheduled the outpatient procedure
  
  as well as an
  
  appointment to come in and complete the paperwork
  
  .
• A week before the procedure, we went in and
  
  signed paperwork, asked questions of the procedure
  
  , and paid the first portion of the procedure. At this time, we were informed of the side effects of the procedure. Please make sure if you have any questions you ask them –
  
  don’t be afraid to get answers to your questions
  
  . It’s your child.
• The night before the procedure, Baby Girl
  
  could not eat or drink anything
  
  after 11:30pm.
• We
  
  arrived at the outpatient surgery center
  
  at 5:45am for her 6:30am appointment.
• We got her
  
  checked in
  
  and they brought us back into a room where they
  
  took her vitals, put socks on her, and put a gown over her clothes
  
  .
• We were informed that when they took her back, they would give her some
  
  anesthesia via face mask
  
  to relax her. Once she was relaxed (aka sedated) they would
  
  dispense a Tylenol suppository
  
  to help with any pain from the procedure and then they would
  
  do the actual procedure
  
  .
• We were told it would take
  
  10-15 minutes
  
  . It felt shorter. By the time they took her and we got back to the waiting room, I think we sat there for 5 minutes before they called us back to an office to wait for the doctor.

We waited in the room for approximately 5 minutes before the doctor came in and said they were done, starting to wake her and she was doing great. We went back to the lobby, waited maybe 10 minutes and then were taking back to the recovery room where a nurse was holding her – awake and doing well.

We were able to go home after our discharge papers were provided to us.

We all napped because it had already been a long day, but we did not notice any residual side effects. In fact, in the week since she had it done, we have noticed she is learning to say more words and her balance has gotten better.

We had her one week follow up and everything was perfect. They made ear molds for her to prevent water getting to the tubes and creating infections.

Overall, the thought of the entire procedure was scarier than the actual procedure and I’m glad we went through it!