Barium Swallow Test

Everly got an appointment for the barium swallow test much faster than we expected. After talking about it we decided to keep the appointment. This morning Everly and I headed to the hospital bright and early for her test. She had not eaten since her feed before bed last night. She was a bit of a grump this morning, but was alright because she loves to just play on her own for a bit before eating in the morning any ways.

The staff were great with her. When I was called with her appointment they had not said to bring her own bottle, or to withhold her first meal. For some reason I went with my gut and did not feed her this morning, and I brought an empty bottle (and her breakfast in another bottle) with me. The tech was thankful because its easier to do the test when little ones are hungry and have an empty tummy. The tech was also happy to see I’d brought an empty bottle so that we could use that one for the test. If kids are used to a certain type of bottle its better to stick with what they know.

All ready to go, strapped down so she cant flail her arms and legs.

She did great during the test. She was had her arms and legs strapped down so that she could not flail during the test. She was attached to a device that can rotate for the images needed. She was turned all sorts of directions during the test. While everything was happening I had to feed her the bottle of barium. That was the heaviest bottle I have ever held. Since she was hungry she had no problem drinking enough of it for them to get the images they needed.

The tech and Doctor were shocked to hear she is my first child, apparently most first time parents tend to not be so calm during this test if their little one needs it, and then they have upset little ones during the test. Like I told my Mom, there was no point in my being upset or Everly would sense that and then be upset. She did get a little grumpy at one point but I said we’d go visit Grammie-poo after and she settled right down.

Now we wait to hear the official results. The doctor did say there was obvious signs of reflux – – I really felt like saying “No, really? That’s not why we are here.” but I bit my tongue. — the doctor is going to look closely at the images to see if he can find a reason why there is the reflux.

Everly had a good little visit with her Grammie-poo after, and happily had her regular bottle after to help wash out all of the other stuff. I am so thankful for such an easy going little one, it made things so much easier this morning.

She got the stuff all over her face, she likes to move her head and look around when having a bottle.