Full body

You may know this gas as happy gas or laughing gas. It is a sweet-smelling, colourless gas used to ease pain and anxiety. This gas is safe for use in tamariki (children). There are no known long-term side effects from occasional use.

A morphine infusion is a pain-relieving medicine given continuously through a pump. Tamariki (children) often have it after an operation, but they may also have it for other reasons.

An epidural is a very effective way to control pain during and after major surgery to the chest, tummy and legs.

PCA stands for patient controlled analgesia. NCA stands for nurse controlled analgesia. A PCA or NCA pump lets your child or their nurse give a set amount of pain medicine (usually morphine) by pressing a button when needed.

As a parent or caregiver, you know your child best. You can help staff to help your child cope with the procedure or surgery.

Parents are often the best judges of their child’s pain. Listen to what your child says and watch what they do. If you are worried or unsure about your child’s pain, talk to a health professional.

Nightmares are bad dreams that are usually related to worries your child may have. Night terrors happen when tamariki (children) are only partly aroused or woken from deep sleep. They can be very frightening for parents and carers.