VCUG
Posted on February 21, 2007
It feels better to be educated on health matters. Since our baby will be undergoing a test this Saturday, I’ve decided to look up on the procedure to help ease my mind.
A VCUG or Voiding Cystourethrogram is an x-ray exam that allows doctors to visualize a child’s bladder and ability to empty his/her bladder. A catheter will need to be placed into the child’s bladder through the urethra and a special iodinated contrast liquid that shows up well on x-rays will be introduced through the catheter in order to fill the bladder. As the bladder is filling, the radiologist will take x-ray pictures with a special camera called a fluoroscope. Once the bladder is full, the catheter will be removed and your child will need to urinate into a special bowl or towel so that the x-ray pictures can again be taken.
I don’t think the procedure is scary at all except for the part where Mateo will be catheterized. A catheter has been inserted into him already last Sunday actually, when they took a urine sample from him for his urine culture. Watching our son crying while the doctor was inserting the catheter (I refused to look while Ramil intently looked on) broke our hearts. I wanted to cry with Mateo even as his wails turned into whimpers. A parent will be asked to accompany the child during the VCUG. I asked Ramil if he wanted to be the one to go with Mateo instead. He refused. Hehe. Mainly because I might be more effective in trying to calm him down when he gets too agitated. I’m dreading it now. I will be subjected again to parental torture.
» Filed Under Motherhood Tags:
my 4 year old niece was advised to undergo vcug also. what concerns my sister & i is for how long would the procedure lasts? the doctor told us, sandali lang but of course it is a relative term. what could be a few minutes to a doctor could be a lifetime to a parent who has to endure the wailings of her child. we just wanted to know if it will last an hour or two so we would be better prepared when we enter the xray room. how long did the procedure last in your baby’s case? i am a mother of 3 teenagers & if i were to undergo such procedure i would be afraid. i would rather have a mammogram. my niece is a brave little girl who seldom cries thus it really breaks our hearts when she does. thank you.
Hi Ning!
I think main concern for parents, especially with a 4-yr-old child, is that the child doesn’t feel traumatized by it. The whole procedure will last maybe around 15-30 minutes only.
May I know who her pedia-uro is? If it is the same as my little boy’s, Dr. Bolong, then there would be an orientation before the procedure which could really ease the minds of parents. Most of the time, the parents can send off an emotion which the child acquires so I think it’s important that the adults with her are also calm and relaxed. By the way, only 1 adult will be allowed with her inside the xray room. Also, it might be best to explain things to her so that she’ll be aware of why she has to undergo such a thing.
All my best to you and your niece, I’ll be praying that the VCUG results will be negative for any serious condition. Feel free to contact me again if you have other questions.
God Bless!