c-section question

when you have a c-section and are given the epidural, do you feel drugged-up? i want to be totally 'with it' and do not want to feel loopy at all.

 

It has been almost 4 years, but I don't remember having a drugged up feel. I know in recovery I was kind of out of it, tired and all, but during the surgery I had a very clear mind.

 

I got a spinal with my c-section. I never felt loopy at all. In fact, I think within an hour, I could feel my legs again..

 

QUOTE(jasonsmommy @ Apr 23 2009, 03:54 PM) [snapback]1285879[/snapback]
I got a spinal with my c-section. I never felt loopy at all. In fact, I think within an hour, I could feel my legs again..


sorry - they give you a spinal with c-sections, right?
i am nervous not to feel my legs, LOL!

 

I also had a spinal for my c-section and did not feel drugged up at all. I was very much aware of everything that was going on.

 

whats the difference between a spinal and an epidural?

 

spinal is a 1 time dose of medication and is given in a different place then the epidural. The Epidural is given with a continuous dosing. Usually they will give a spinal if you are for sure getting a c/s, but if you are going to attempt a vaginal delivery they will do an epidural and then swich it over for a c/s

 

I had my epidural for the c-sec and for 24 hours after the babies for pain management due to my pelvis seperating.

I never felt loopy or strange. You don't notice that you don't feel your legs. It's really nothing to worry about.

 

Ive had both and neither made me loopy. The epi I had with my DD and I slept till they told me to push! My spinal I had for my c-section and I didnt get that till I was in the OR. I was put right on my back as soon as it was done and that was it. Some get a headache after but I didnt.

 

I've had spinals for both my c-sections and I was totally "with it" both times. I was pretty anxious going into both and I found that the spinal relaxed me, but I was completely coherent.

 

I was very freaked out at the thought of feeling numb. I had a spinal and it was really not bad at all. I definitley didn't feel out of it. It really didn't affect anything other than being numb. I was very sleep afterwards though. About 30 mins to an hour later I couldn't hold my eyes open. I think it was because of the pain medicine they put in with the spinal. I don't know if that's done with all spinals, but it was with mine.

I was really impressed with how easy it was. I did a lot of worrying for nothing. Good luck!

 

I had spinal with my DS and it was fine. the bottom bpart was numb, but I wasn't sleeppy.
after they took the baby out they gave me something ( no idea what and I feel dizzy and sleepy but it was after DS and DH went to the nursery and they sew me up. I think I slept for an hours after c-section in recovery room. but I had very long period when my legs start moving again. they finish c-section at 12 and I was able to move my legs only around 4pm at 4:30 i was transfer to the room from post op room.

 

so if you're sleepy, do you get to see your babies? will they bring them to your room?

 

For me I wasn't sleepy and I saw my son ( cannot hold him because one arm with IV) my DH hold him. but I didn't breastfeed him at least no one told me I can ,
and he was taken to the nursery and DH went with him ( only after that I was given something that made me dizzy). DS had low blood sugar so he end up with IV for 3 days and I was allowed to get up only next morning so I saw him only around 7 am next day. so my DH was the first who fed him from the bottle in the special nursery.

 

QUOTE(Sisrea @ Apr 23 2009, 01:35 PM) [snapback]1285931[/snapback]
spinal is a 1 time dose of medication and is given in a different place then the epidural. The Epidural is given with a continuous dosing. Usually they will give a spinal if you are for sure getting a c/s, but if you are going to attempt a vaginal delivery they will do an epidural and then swich it over for a c/s


my OB says for c-sections they always give epidural as first choice... I guess it's different everywhere... Odd. I have a scheduled c-sec/. May 7th, and they said I get an epidural.

 

[SIZE=12pt]never had a c-section but have had two epidurals and never felt "drugged up", just completely numb from the waist down. hth [/SIZE]

 

I didn't feel loopy during the C/S, but with the chest-down numbed, I did not feel normal. They will tell you this, but during the surgery, you will have the feeling that you can't breathe, because you can't feel your diaphram (sp) so your brain tricks you into feeling out of breath. Also, during both my C/S, I began having terrible shoulder pain which they said was caused by air in the abdomen and/or irritation of the diaphram. It completely freaked me out the first time, since no one told me that might happen, and started panicking on the table. But the second time, I just dealt with it and after the baby (ies) came out, (5 min), the anesthesiologist gave me the "feel good" medicine (demerol) then I DID feel loopy and out-of-it for about an hour. I was a comedian for the first C/S but felt very sleepy after the 2nd. They'll show you the babies while you are on the table, but then they'll take them to the nursery for about 2 hours (which they do with vaginal births after a period, also). That is one reason I wanted a VBAC with my DD and will beg for a VBAC if i ever have another: spending that first hour together was so awesome compared to having the baby (ies) whisked away and me being sent to recovery all doped-up.

 

I didn't see my babies after the c-section. They did walk one by me for me to look at for literally about 2 seconds, but I didn't see the other. I didn't see them again for over 24 hours (saw my DS for the first time then), but do not think that is common. Mine were pretty early and my DS wasn't breathing. That is why I didn't see him right after delivery. I was also put on magnesium sulfate for 24 hours because of pre-e and that made me really sick, plus with that I had to have a catheter, so wasn't able to get up. I think most people do get to see the baby/babies afterwards.

 

I asked my doctor the difference between epidurals and spinals. First, he said that which you would have would be in a discussion between you and the anesthesiologist (sp?). He said spinals are given right into your spinal column, where as epidurals are more of a 'blind' procedure where you have to try and find the right space... which is why it can sometimes take more than one try if mom can round her back enough to get it in on the first try. He also said when spinals were first done years ago, they used to use bigger needles and more women would get the spinal headaches. He said the needles now are much smaller and that headaches with spinals are typically rare. I had an epidural with my first son (regular deliver, not c/s) and I was terrified of the word "spinal" for a possible c/s this time. After talking with the doctor, I can see the benefits... neither scares me more than the other, and if we get to that point, i'll talk to the anesthesiologist.

 

QUOTE(lorileahb @ Apr 25 2009, 07:34 AM) [snapback]1287919[/snapback]
He said the needles now are much smaller and that headaches with spinals are typically rare.

I ended up with a spinal headach and had to have the "blood patch" 2 days after delivery. Not Fun.