Anonymous wrote:The spinal gave me a panic attack and I missed the first 30 minutes of my child's life because they had to give me something to "calm me down" and I'm still pissed several years later.

But you think an epidural would have turned out differently?

OP, I am the exact situation you described, epidural for my unplanned first, spinal for my planned second. Spinal was far and away easier to recover from. I was wiggling my toes 30 minutes after delivery.

Anonymous wrote:Spinal is standard for a planned C, I believe. I loved mine until I got a spinal headache. But it worked way better then the epidural I had with my first.

I have also heard people with a history of migraines should avoid the spinal and opt for the epidural.

No if your surgery is prolonged because you are obese a spinal may be better.

You don’t want the spinal to wear off.

Anonymous wrote:It is up to the Anesthesiologist.
You can re-dose an epidural.
The spinal is a one shot anesthetic that lasts about 1.5 hours.
If you are obese, need a tubal ligation, multiple prior abdominal surgeries, you will likely get a combo of the two.
If this is your first abdominal surgery, spinal.

Wait what does this mean? Epidurals don’t work as well on obese people?

It is up to the Anesthesiologist.
You can re-dose an epidural.
The spinal is a one shot anesthetic that lasts about 1.5 hours.
If you are obese, need a tubal ligation, multiple prior abdominal surgeries, you will likely get a combo of the two.
If this is your first abdominal surgery, spinal.

Whatever the hospital gives.

Had epidural with my first (unplanned) c-section. I felt awful and recovery took forever (I’m sure, in part because I labored and pushed for three hours first). Second c-section was planned because I was having twins and I had a spinal. The recovery was a breeze and I was walking less than 12 hours after. I 100% would do a spinal again

Spinal is standard for a planned C, I believe. I loved mine until I got a spinal headache. But it worked way better then the epidural I had with my first.

Anonymous wrote:Spinal 100%. My epidural never work well and no way in heck would I want to feel them cut my belly open.

How did you feel them cut with the epidural? I mean I understand you can feel stuff but it doesn’t hurt.

Spinal 100%. My epidural never work well and no way in heck would I want to feel them cut my belly open.

The spinal gave me a panic attack and I missed the first 30 minutes of my child's life because they had to give me something to "calm me down" and I'm still pissed several years later.

oh, I have an opinion, and am glad you are asking.

Epidural is a bigger needle, but goes in less deep.
Spinal is a smaller needle but goes in deeper.

I was given the choice right before my C-section and I had no idea what to choose. Funny I had researched everything but did not research this.

I chose the spinal, and they hit a nerve, and I had phantom pain in my foot for years. I still cringe when I shave that leg and my DD is 18.

For my second kid, I had an epidural.

Is it even a choice? I had a spinal for my planned c-section, which I thought was standard.

I recall they told me I’d need to keep the catheter in for 12 hours, but I think I was walking/shuffling around sonner than that. It’s all kind of a blur though!

I had an epidural for my unplanned c section with my first baby. Since I was already in labor I had an epidural. I have since read that some women choose a spinal instead for planned c sections because you can get out of bed sooner.

Looking to hear others experiences.

For reference had my first at 35, long labor that ended in a c section. My recovery was easy without complications.
I will without a doubt schedule the c section for my second when that day comes and not try a VBAC. Therefore hoping to hear about similar experiences and tips. I’m 37 now, healthy and reasonably fit.