Preference on epidural or spinal for c-section

I haven't actually discussed this with my DR yet but it's getting close and I'm making up a birth plan of sorts to bring with me. We're planning on a c-section as Baby A is breech and Baby B is transverse. SO my birth plan isn't very long. BUT I figured I'd make one so they know our wishes for at least after the babies are born. I was noticing one of the options was choosing a spinal or an epidural for a c-section. I really have no idea if I'll have a choice in the matter or what choice I should make if I do get one. Which one would you choose and why?

 

If I'm not mistaken, most people that are getting an automatic C-section, get a spinal. If you are going to be laboring, then I think they give you an epidural, because it lasts longer.

I got a spinal with my section.

I might be wrong, but I think this is the case...

 

Hmm, since we might have to make that same decision, what is the difference? Are there pros or cons to either?
Good question?

 

I beleive previous post is correct in that if it is a scheduled c-section they give a spinal. I had an epidural and emergency c-section with my DD then with the twins I had a spinal. I actually did better with the spinal. I had less shaking and it seemed to wear off faster. Either way i didn't feel a thing. Also with the spinal i didn't feel as numb going up my chest. Good Luck!

 

spinal w/ c-section and epi with labor.

WIth the epi, i had to keep moving from side to side to get the medicine equally distributed. With the spinal, I didn't have to do that since the section was shorter than labor.
A side note: I tore with Evan's birth and the doctor had to sew me up. I felt the needle. It wasn't as painful as it could have been, but I knew what was happening. With my spinal I didn't feel anything.

Spinal with C-section!

Edited to add: If you can avoid staples, it is good. I did.. I had stitches. It worked great. Talk to your doctor about that. Some doctors only do staples and it isn't a big deal.

 

At my hospital all c-sections get a spinal unless an epidural was already in place. I was very scared to get a spinal I had read about headaches and other side effects, but it ended up being fine.

 

Thanks so much everyone!! Very good to know about the spinal being the norm for planned c-sections. Also glad to hear they're not so bad. I hadn't read anything too horrible about them other than that spinal headache. That kind of was freaking me out. Thanks again!!

 

With DS, I had a epidural at first and then when they took me in for a c-section they gave me a spinal. I guess I have assumed I will be getting a spinal again.

 

I had planned c-sections both times. The first time I had a spinal and the 2nd time I had an epidural. I wasn't asked what I preferred, I had different dr's and they decided. The advantage to the epidural was I could move around sooner. With a spinal you have to lay flat for 12 hours. There was no difference to me in getting them or how I felt.

 

I didn't have a c-section but I had an epidural and it was excellent! I still felt some pain from the contractions but it was totally manageable - it was actually helpful in knowing when to push. The doctor did a fabulous job of giving me the needle (it hurt, I admit) and the dosage was good. The epidural didn't seem to slow down my labour or affect the babies in any negative way at all. I was up and about within an hour or so I think. Anyway, highly recommended.

 

I was given the choice of either epidural or spinal for my twins c-section. I had had an epidural with my first (4 yrs ago) and had a terrible reaction to the tape they used on my back (it tore me up - actually hurt worse than the incision!), so I went for the spinal. In my experience, they were pretty similar - the only difference was in how they delivered pain meds after (epi - through the epi, spinal - through the IV). Good luck!

 

QUOTE(LMW1015 @ Nov 2 2008, 06:28 AM) [snapback]1052091[/snapback]
I haven't actually discussed this with my DR yet but it's getting close and I'm making up a birth plan of sorts to bring with me. We're planning on a c-section as Baby A is breech and Baby B is transverse. SO my birth plan isn't very long. BUT I figured I'd make one so they know our wishes for at least after the babies are born. I was noticing one of the options was choosing a spinal or an epidural for a c-section. I really have no idea if I'll have a choice in the matter or what choice I should make if I do get one. Which one would you choose and why?


This is what I was told...

Labor.....epideral
C-section....spinal

Spinal.......takes effect quicker, can't move around

Epideral....takes longer to become effective, I can walk around

If I've already been administered an epideral and after some time it's determined I'll need a c-section, then they will "turn up" the epideral (enough to be effective for the c-section)

Good luck.

 

Does both hurt/not hurt the same? I'm going in for C-section...wonder if its the same system here in my country :unsure: