Renal ultrasound and VCUG under sedation

Ashlyn had a renal ultrasound and a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) under gas sedation today.  Her urologist wanted to rule out reflux as a cause for the kidney infection she had a month or so ago.  The procedures were scheduled for 8:00 am which was nice because she wasn't allowed to have anything to eat or drink prior.  We had our choice between 2 locations that do these procedures and opted for the one in Plano because the Anesthesiologist there was the first to do the VCUG under sedation.  He has done thousands so that was very reassuring.  Some places do the procedure while the child is completely awake and it can be somewhat traumatic (for everyone involved).  She had a renal ultrasound first to get a good picture of her kidneys looking for symmetry, scarring or hydronephrosis.

After the sonogram, we met with the nurse who asked lots of questions and took Ashlyn's vitals.  Then we headed in for the VCUG.  Ashlyn got to put on a cute gown and I was growing quite nervous.

The anesthesiologist came in and described the procedure.  He would put a mask over her mouth and nose and we got to help by holding her hands (for security and so he could keep the mask in place).  She would be asleep in less than 20 seconds.  Once she was asleep, they would start the procedure.  The nurses inserted a catheter to fill her bladder up with contrast.  The radiologist was right there taking pictures using x-ray and flouroscopy.  What they are looking for is when the bladder contracts in order for her to pee, that no urine (contrast) goes back up the ureters to the kidneys.  We were right there watching the entire procedure with the doctors describing everything to us.  I freaked out a little bit at first when she "fell asleep" because she looked so helpless and lifeless.  The entire process lasted less than 10 minutes.  

Once it was over, he took the mask off of her and when she started waking up, he let me hold her.  They watched her for a couple of minutes and then took us back to a recovery room where they let her completely wake up.  Once she was awake, she got to have a bottle with daddy.  

We got the preliminary results immediately...NO REFLUX!  They send all of the films and images to the urologist for him to review as well...but the radiologist was confident there was no reflux.  Praise God!  One more thing we can check off our worry list.  She will continue taking probiotics for a healthy urinary tract and hopefully that one infection was just a fluke.  We will keep a close eye on her for signs of another infection but are very excited she doesn't have reflux!