Epidural or spinal block for upcoming c-section?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great way to support the PP, OP. You're a real gem.

PP: It's a pinch. That's all.

Having an oral novicain shot was a comparison that was made, as the poster I quoted said it wasn't as bad as some novicain shots. The shot for the epi/spinal is nothing is nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great way to support the PP, OP. You're a real gem.

PP: It's a pinch. That's all.

I am guessing that you meant to say "Great way to support the OP, PP."

[Anonymous]

I had an epidural with my first and a spinal block with my second. I like the spinal better during the surgery but the epidural better for afterwards b/c I felt a little drugged with the spinal. Overall though, they were both equally effective and there wasn't a huge difference btwn the two.

[aandrino]

I think I had both. I had the epidural and the spinal administered at the same time -- the spinal was for the surgery and the epidural was for the recovery overnight. It really was not bad - and I say this as someone who planned to have a natural, vaginal birth, in great part because of the fear of getting an epidural in the first place (the c-section was unplanned). I did shake during the surgery and for a while afterwards, but by the time they brought in my DS post-op the shaking had sufficiently subsided so that I felt comfortable holding him. I did get a bit uneasy from a psychological standpoint thinking about what was going on on the other side of the curtain during the surgery, so after the baby had been born the anesthesiologist gave me something to relax me and that worked well, too. Hope this helps and good luck!

[Anonymous]

I can't comment on spinal but here was my experience when had epidural for my C section: I had been in labor for a good while and had the epidural when they started the pitocin and then they "upped" it when they decided to do the C section. It was no big deal; I remember no pain at all from the shot. I remember the baby's birth (even the irritating song that was playing in the background). I vomited a couple of times the next day but again, no big deal. Good luck and ENJOY YOUR BABY!

[Anonymous]

It isn't the spinal block or the epidural that make you groggy - its the narcotics they give you so that you stay calm during surgery. You don't stay groggy very long.

As for the PP who said "put me under" - that is the most dangerous choice of the three, and the one with the longest recovery. Truly, it takes a very long time to recover fully from anesthesia, and the risks are the highest.

I don't think there's much difference between epi and spinal. I had a spinal for an emergency c-section (then it matters). The narcotics they gave me made the frightening needle a minor thing.

As for bonding: you have a whole life to spend with the baby. It really doesn't matter if the first hours aren't the perfect ones you imagined. Life goes on, and you and your child will love each other.

[Anonymous]

I've had all three. My first choice would be the spinal. Despite what others have said, for me that is what wore off the quickest after surgery. With the epidural I did experience the shakes. My second choice would be the epidural. My last choice would be general -- I would only undergo that in the case of a true emergency where they did not have the time to give me either the spinal or epidural.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:its the narcotics they give you so that you stay calm during surgery.

I begged for this 2x, and was told I could have no narcotics or anti-anxiety meds until baby was out. If you got it, lucky girl!

[Anonymous]

I delivered at Sibley and was given both a spinal and an epidural. Before inserting the needle into your spine, they give you a shot of local anestesia. It really didn't hurt nearly as badly as I expected and was over really quickly. And you don't have to worry about being numb from the neck down. The numbness starts somewhere in the waist area. I was able to hold my baby as soon as the procedure was over and he was examined.

I was told that it's standard procedure to leave the epidural in for 24 hours to help with the pain management. While I didn't mind that feeling during and right after the c-section, I hated the feeling that night when I couldn't even roll over in bed. They gave me pain meds (I don't remember what they were) before taking out the epidural the next day, so I never felt any pain. I can't say if or how bad the pain would have been had I requested that they remove the epidural the day of the c-section, however, when I have #2, I will be askng the anestesiologist how bad it would be to remove the epidural sooner.

Before the c-section began, I asked the anestesiologist about anti-anxiety meds since I was worried I'd be in a total panic during the procedure. He said he's be happy to give me something, but that it would make me groggy. We decided we'd see how I was doing since I didn't want to feel drugged up for the birh and he said if I was becoming overly anxious, all I had to do was say something and he'd give me the meds. The c-section was so fast, I never ended up needing them.

I was very anxious about the c-section, but can honestly say that it wasn't bad at all. Since we're making comparisons to dental procedures, I'd choose to have another c-section over having my wisdom teeth removed any day! I have many friends who gave birth vaginally whose experiences and recoveries ended up being much worse than a c-section (long labors, bad tears, etc.). Also, I have two friends who are OBs. Both had elective c-sections because they think it's easier than a vaginal birth. Once I found out I had to have a section, I kept reminding myself of that.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I had an epidural for an unplanned c-section. I think it all depends on your tolerance for pain. After 15 hours of natural labor, the "pain" of getting an epidural before the c-section was really not that bad. It's a sharp pinch, followed by some burning and then that's it really. I was awake (obviously) for the entire birth, but I was so numb, that it took a while before I feeling back in my arms and could hold my baby. Fortunately, my DH was there with me, was able to hold our DD, and bring her close enough to me that I could see and feel her until I could hold her. They left the epidural in for 24 hours, which was fine as that meant that I was able to handle the first night of nursing and no sleep without the added pain of recovery. Overall, I was amazed at how quick my recovery was in general.

I wish you the best of luck. A c-section was my last choice for a birth plan, but in the end the most important thing is a healthy mom and a healthy baby.

[Anonymous]

Epidural--easily dosable, meaning they can give more if needed. Epidurals aren't failproof--they can be one-sided, etc.

Spinal--much quicker to do, since it's a single shot, but the effects can be much more dramatic in terms of timing (i.e., works much quicker). They can result in a drop in blood pressure, but your anesthesiologist should preempt that by giving you fluids prior to administering it.

BUT usually they give you a combined epidural/spinal, called a CSE (combined spinal/epidural). My husband is a dr. and says that that is standard (he is telling me what to write here). So they should give you a spinal but have the epidural in place to use if needed. Again, a CSE. Husband says most anesthesiologists will go with CSE. Ask anesthesiologist for CSE. Takes just a minute longer and that way the catheter will be there if you need more meds.

Overall, risks are about the same but know that with any medical procedure there are risks, albeit small ones.

Hope this helpful. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I'm the one who got narcotics during delivery. You didn't? I assumed it was standard. Actually, I can't be sure exactly what they gave me through the IV, but it sure felt like a narcotic (and I'm not naive on that point). I was wonderfully stoned through the scary part of teh delivery - so much so that my deep seated needle phobia didn't interfere at all. [before anyone gets snitty or holier-thanpthou about my being stoned - remember, my drs weren't worried about providing me with a good experience, the drs were rightly concerned with keeping us both alive, and with keeping me still.

I can't imagine having received better care than I got. Sorry girls - not a local hospital.