Chloe had an Overnight Sleep Study at Children’s Hospital in Boston on Friday. I was pretty nervous about this study because I wasn’t sure how Chloe was going to react to it. I have to say that Chloe did a wonderful job and I am very proud of her. She is indeed my Champ!
What is an overnight sleep study? Well doctors call this study a polysomnogram. It is a study that is done to chart your brain wavers, heart beat, and breathing as you sleep. The study also records your eye and leg movements as well as muscle tension. The tech told Chloe that she would be able to till how many times she blinks her eyes. Amazing isn’t it. Sensors are placed on your head, face chest, and legs. The tech told Chloe to stay very still as she was placing the sensors on her head. The tech first took a red pencil and marked an X as to where should would be placing the sensors. She then took adhesive and rubbed it on the X followed by placing the sensors and then tape to hold it all together. This is why it was important for Chloe not to move. If Chloe moved and she missed her target she would have to start all over. The sensors are important because they send tiny electrical signals to a computer.
I was told that the signals would show when Chloe was asleep and awake during the night. The brain-wave and eye-movement detectors would show when Chloe is in REM sleep. Just in case, you don’t know REM stands for rapid eye movement sleep. This is a stage of sleep where your eyes twitch and your brain waves are very active. It is also the stage of sleep when you have most of your dreams.
The breathing monitor is important for people who may have Sleep Apnea because it shows the number of times you stop breathing. They can also detect low air flow and minor changes in oxygen level.
In regards to, leg sensors show both minor twitches and major movements that occur during the night. Chloe does tend to move a lot during the night. She tends to kick a lot when she is sleeping.
A clip was also placed on Chloe’s finger to note changes in the level of oxygen in her blood. The clip monitors the color of your blood. Did you know, as blood loses oxygen, it turns from red to blue.
It is the techs job to make your child feel relaxed. The center should also have an extra bed for the parent to sleep in. Only one parent will be able to stay in the room. It is very important for the parent also to make sure that your child feels safe and relaxed. No other patient will be allowed in the room with you. Each patient in the study will have their own room along with their own tech.
Chloe was free to snack, drink (no caffeine), read, color, play or watch TV. I had gone out and purchase 2 movies that Chloe wanted to see. I knew if I did she would stay in bed watch TV. Then the tech came in and told us to turn the lights out and it was time for Chloe to try to fall asleep.
During the night, a low-light video camera allows a technologist to see you from a nearby room. He or she will have to enter your room if a sensor comes loose. He or she will also have to detach the wires if you need to go to the bathroom during the night.
The tech came in our room at 6 am to slowly wake us up. The sensors were removed with a special solution. Chloe had a shower in her room but wanted to take a bath at home.
I won’t know anything until her doctor goes over the test. Chloe next appointment isn’t until November.
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