epidural vs. spinal block?

I don't know yet if I'll end up with a c-section or not, but I was wondering if I could get your opinions. I was told that you're more liikely to have a spinal headache with a spinal block. Is this true? If we know ahead of time that we'll have a c-section I think our doctor plans to do a spinal block. If I'm in labor, etc. they prefer me to have an epidural and then they would add more meds to the line if i had to have a c-section. What are your experiences with spinal blocks or epidurals? Are there any advantages of one over the other? I didn't have an epi with DD, so I don't even really know what to expect.

Thanks.

 

I had a spinal with my c-section. I think it lasts longer than an epidural and is stronger. I didn't have any problems with spinal headache, although I've heard of it as a side effect.

 

Ive had a spinal with all 3 sections and have never had the spinal headache, I have though had the major itchies from it though

 

I recently had a spinal for my cerclage, the anesthesiologist told me people no longer get spinal headaches because they use much less meds then they used to.

 

I'm with Cassie, the only side effect I had was MAJOR itching afterwards. And it was so bad they thought they were going to overdose me on Benadryl. LOL

 

I had an epi with my first DD and a spinal with the twins, emergency c-section. I had two very different deliveries. The spinal lasts much longer, but I would definitely recommend it with the section. Good Luck!

 

I have alot of med problems that effect my back, neck, head, and spinal cord. They tried for an epideral 3 times and they couldnt get the needle it b/c of my back. Finally they did a spinal. I didnt end up with a headache, my only problem was being VERY sore in the site for a few months afterwards. I dont know if it was from the spinal or the fact that I was stuck several times trying to get the epideral in.

 

Go for the spinal! I had an epi with my third and a spinal for the twin csec. The spinal was HEAVEN! For me, the epi didn't take away much of the pain or pressure. It definitely helped, and I'm sure for a csec they do it differently but the spinal was fabulous. I felt nothing, and I mean nothing at all, from the chest down for several hours. It was the first time in months I didn't hurt. I had the itchies with the epi but no side effects at all with the spinal. Other than the nausea since silly me ate a graham cracker and some juice in the room while I was waiting for the doc to send me home after my nst/bpp! They gave me something in the IV that stopped it right away.

 

i had a spinal with my son and the c-section was a breeze. my second c/s with my daughter was don with an epi. it was horrible. the epi didn't take all the way. i could feel once they were inside. i would personally go with the spinal. i will be requesting one this time.

 

I ended up having an emergency c/s with DS#!. the epidural worked fine for me. With DD, I had another c/s with a spinal. I had heinous nausea as she was being delivered. No fun. With DS#2 I also had a spinal, but reminded them of my previous experience and they totally monitored my nausea every minute or so and so had no problems. The only thing i would tell you is know what to expect with a spinal. With my first spinal I really freaked when I couldn't move my legs. I didn't know it would be so paralyzing. Knowing this the next time ahead of time, it wasn't a problem. HTH.

 

I don't think you get a choice if it's a planned c/s... I had a spinal with mine... they had to do it twice... I had a reaction both times where my bp dropped, I dry heaved and came very close to passing out even though I was lying on the table... my dh came in and thought they had knocked me out b/c I couldn't even open my eyes. after I got over that it was okay. I did have a lot of itchiness the next day...forgot about that lovely side effect until the ladies here reminded me... I'm not sure if they gave me benadryl or not...but I do remember thinking I was going to go out of my mind with the way my skin was feeling. It was super sensitive to touch...it was ridiculously painful to have even the lightest touch on my belly skin. But the nice thing about the spinal was that I had no pain at all until 8am the next morning...and my planned c/s was around 8am the previous day....so whatever they threw in my spinal at the end of my c/s kept me pain free for 24 hours... very nice...

 

My peri recommended BOTH for my twin delivery Dont remember why. It was bliss watching the City nightlife in the gorgeous new Delivery Rooms at my hospital with HUGE windows. But I dont remember any complications from THOSE because I ended up being put totally under for emerg section after pushing Z out to get J out faster than ASAP as his h/b plummetted. But I DO remember waking up horribly after total anesthesia. But that is alas another story...

Oh I do remember the horrid itching, but I got benedryl or some type of anti histamine I think to alieviate that and it worked great!


GOOD LUCK!! You are getting so close to holding those baby girls in your arms!!!