spinal vs. epidural

Hi everyone,

First of all, what's the difference between a spinal and an epidural? I'm having a scheduled C-section on the 15th and was wondering if there was a better way to go between the two. I'm going to talk to my doctor about it this week but I wanted to ask from you experienced ladies

Thanks!

 

Mine is on the 13th, and I completly forgot to ask what we would be doing. I may be so wrong on this, but I think a spinal block numbs you more- and doesn't last as long- since you wouldn't need it as long- it may be a one time dose. The epidural I think you still feel the pressure and things- and it can run continuously, but I am not really sure if I am right I will be curious to see what others say!

 

I do not know the difference, but I had a spinal (do you have a choice? I don't remember that I did.) and it worked great!

 

I don’t know (I know BIG help) I had a spinal (don’t remember having a choice with a c-section) BUT my girlfriend had both one vaginal (epi) and one c-section (spinal) and she said they felt the same getting them… she couldn’t figure out the difference…
i'm curiuos to hear what the replys say...

 

The hospital where I am delivering doesn't do spinals. THey say they are antiquated and don't work as well.

Basically a spinal is given in the spine, its a single dose, and it wears off after a certain amount of time.

The epidural is given in the epidural space (fluid next to the spine) and is a continuous dose of medicine, like an IV, that they can adjust constantly.

HTH!

 

I had my section on Monday.. Spinals make you more dense from chest down.. I am sure that is what you all will have with a section.. It was fine! Altho I suffered from a spinal headache.. OUCH!

 

QUOTE(jasonsmommy @ Dec 8 2007, 11:13 AM) [snapback]525876[/snapback]
I had my section on Monday.. Spinals make you more dense from chest down.. I am sure that is what you all will have with a section.. It was fine! Altho I suffered from a spinal headache.. OUCH!


Actually, I was told that one of the reasons they don't do spinals anymore (at this hospital) is because if there are complications with a c-section that had a spinal, they end up having to use general if it takes too long, whereas with an epidural they can continue to dose the patient until they are done, eliminating the need for general anesthesia.

 

I think they usually do spinals when it's an emergency C. If not, then they'll do an epidural. I had an emerg. C and had a Spinal.

 

I had a spinal for my c-section. It was supposed to be a combination of an epidural and spinal but the epidural came out when they went to take the spinal needle out so I just had the spinal.

I don't know the difference between the two but I can tell you that I never felt a thing. My doctor had a little bit of trouble getting hold of DD2 (she was pulled out feet first) and I never felt the pressure they were putting on me to move her down.

 

Spinals are done for C-sections and Epis for vaginal. With the epi it goes in with a catheter and they can increase or decrease the dose. The spinal is a block which means you won't feel anything down there, I don't think you can move. You can move with the epi which is why it is used for the vaginal, b/c you will need to move and push. I have heard that spinals are better than epis, but depending on the manner in which you deliver you do not get the choice which will be used. I learned all this from research on the internet and one medical seminar I went to, so I am not an authority on the subject. I thought I would throw in my 2 cents though.

 

I had a spinal and could not move from the chest on down. In fact I felt as though I was not breathing as my lungs even felt numb. They assured me I was breathing though.

I was told I need a spinal with a planned section for this very reason.

It hurt like **** trying to get it in, but once they did it was great. I was so scared of it before I got it. I was more scared of that then being the mother of twins.

By the time my sergery was over I could feel my legs and I was moving them on the way to recovery. It lasted about 2 hours!

 

I had a spinal...my c-section wasn't "scheduled" but not emergency either. They just came in, saw I was dilated to 4 cm and 100% effaced...my c-section was less than 2 hours later.

QUOTE(caryanne07 @ Dec 8 2007, 06:40 PM) [snapback]525959[/snapback]
I think they usually do spinals when it's an emergency C. If not, then they'll do an epidural. I had an emerg. C and had a Spinal.