After your baby's PDA or patent ductus arteriosus procedure, you'll meet with the staff to go through your child’s care plan.

The plan will include information about checkups, specialist care, any ongoing tests your child may need, and who to call if there's a problem.

This is a great time to ask questions.

After going home, be sure that you follow any instructions about your child's diet or activity, and give medicines as prescribed.

You'll also get directions on how to care for the site where the catheter was put in.

Watch for a lump that's getting bigger under the site.

And watch for bleeding from that area.

A small amount of blood on the bandage can be normal.

But call your doctor if bright red blood soaks through the bandage.

Call your doctor if your child has problems such as new or worse pain or bleeding, or if your child vomits and can't keep fluids down.

Also call your doctor if you see signs of infection, such as increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness; red streaks leading from the catheter site; pus draining from the area; or a fever.

Get emergency help right away if your child is very sleepy and hard to wake up, or has trouble breathing.

You know your child best, so call your doctor if you have any questions.

If you're a little nervous right now, that's okay.

Recovery and healing take time.

But you and your child can get through this together.