spinal block vs epidural

I have an OB appointment tomorrow morning and I want to speak with her about my c-section. Just because we are getting close! With DS I had a spinal block and really didn't like the way it made me feel with the sudden drop in BP and the way I felt like I couldn't breathe (I have asthma). I've been doing some reading and research and I wasn't aware that an epidural was an option for c-sections.

From what I've read the epidural doesn't shock your system quite as bad as the spinal block so the BP drop, feeling hot, not being able to breathe wouldn't be as bad. I've also read that for the spinal, it only lasts one to two hours which is sufficient time for a single birth....but adding into the equation that I'm having twins and I'm also a "fluffy" mom so there's more fatty layers and tissue to cut through...do you think the spinal would last long enough?

Did you have a spinal or an epidural? What was your experience with it and how was pain management? I remember feeling tugging and pulling and stretching but never any pain with the procedure.

Thanks ladies! I know I've been asking a million questions lately but I'm just starting to get excited/nervous about it because best case scenario we have a few weeks and worst case we'll go possibly Friday.

 

I can only add my experiences. My first birth was an epidural. As soon as they started the medicine, I was numb from the waist down... tingly all over. They were amazed at how quickly I took to that and the fact I couldn't move. There was a little issue getting my daughter out so the surgery took a little longer than I think they thought it would, but what happened to me was the tingly feeling started creeping up into my lung area. I was about to say something, when the surgery was over. I don't think that's "normal", but I'm the type that reacts strongly to anthesthia (sp?)

My second I had what I think was a spinal. The reason I say that, the previous one, they kept telling me to let them know if I felt anything on the right or left. This time I didn't get that, I just got pressure and then one "burst" of pain. I was able to move to another table before I went numb and I didn't have any complications really with that, other than itching afterwards.

I think either probably can be done, and I would ask them.

Personally out of everything - that's the one part I'm NOT looking forward to... like the numbness.. don't like the pain getting to it though

 

I had a spinal for my first daughter and an epidural for my twins. I felt about the same for both. I like the epidural better because after a spinal you have to lay flat for 12 hours.

 

I believe I had a spinal block. I know I didn't have an epidural. I didn't have any pain medication until I got to the OR and they gave me one single spinal shot. And within moments, I was numb from a little above my waist and down. They delivered both of my twins and I didn't feel a thing. Towards the end when they were sewing me up or whatever, I could feel my toes able to wiggle, but never felt any pain and it took only another hour for the numbness to wear off. I was never told I had to lay flat for 12 hours after it. I know I was moved off the operating table to a bed where they rolled me to recovery, then rolled me to my room eventually. I don't think I got out of bed though for over 12 hours. I didn't see my boys for almost 24 hours.

 

I have had three c-sections - all elective - the first two with singletons, the third with twins. I had an epidural the first time - it made me very sleepy, but otherwise, I liked it just fine. My surgery was at 7:30 a.m. and I did not walk until the next morning because I did not regain feeling in one leg until the middle of that night. Didn't bother me one bit - I was more than happy to lie in bed.

I had a spinal with my second - the anesthesiologist indicated that it was sort of routine to do spinals for subsequent sections. I don't know if I assumed this based on our conversation, or if he actually said it, and I've never researched. I liked the spinal MUCH better than the epidural because it did not make me so sleepy. I have to say that it was practically like a cocktail party during the surgery - we were all way chatty - it was lots of fun! And I did regain feeling in my legs much, much sooner - within an hour or two. I personally felt like it controlled the pain better afterward as well.

I had a a spinal with my twins - again, I thought it was great - no problems. Other than the fact that I accidentally saw the freaky long needle. Yikes!

All in all, I am pro spinal block - but like I said, I thought the epidural was fine too - just made me soooo sleepy.

Good luck with your decision!

 

I had a spinal block I believe with my c-section. I could feel tugging and pulling, but no pain. The only thing I had with it was I vomited during my c-section, but I also did that with my epidural with a vag. delivery with my oldest DD. I also did not have to lay flat for 12 hours after it.

 

That's kind of trippy! I bet that was strange....I was just wondering about that the other day, what it would feel like to have to throw up while you're all open and exposed like that.

 

I had a spinal block for my girls' birth. The needle hurt going in -- apparently they didn't hit quite the right spot, but once they backed it out and tried again, it was great. No pain, no issues, no requirement to lie flat for 12 hours either. I felt some tugging and rocking but definitely nothing that hurt. It took them longer to start my C-section than planned due to an emergency in the next OR, so my spinal was done about 30 minutes before my girls were born and I was numb for at least an hour afterwards. So I don't think you need to worry about the medicine wearing off during the surgery.

 

It's definitely not fun. :lol: Very interesting since you are numb, I think I remember basically only being able to turn my head, luckily I could tell I was going to do it. But yeah, not fun at all. :nea:

 

I had a spinal and felt nothing other than some tugging (apparently they had to pull one baby really hard). I also had no problems with BP (I tend to have low BP) or vomiting, though I was extremely worried about both.

I did have a rough recovery, but that was mostly due to other factors: the pregnancy/bedrest itself, the anesthesia that I asked to have during the sewing-up, and the fact that I lost a lot of blood. As far as I understand it, none of it was directly related to the spinal, which seemed to wear off within an hour or two. There was no rule about lying flat, either.