whats the differance between a spinal and an epidural?

the doctor says for my c section im going to have to get a spinal, i was just wondering what the differance was. they told me in the prenatal class but i uh kinda forgot. :huh: thanks guys

 

This link has a pretty good description of both methods:

http://www.pregnancy-info.net/labor_medication.html

HTH!

 

I had to go with an epidural because I am allergic to morphine, I guess it is a good thing since I was in labor (harsh contractions) for 11 hours.

 

You don't normally get a spinal for a vaginal birth because it blocks the nerves in your spine, so you can't feel anything below the block. It's a single dose of meds that works for hours and wears off slowly.

The epi isn't as much of a complete block, it blocks the pain but not the sensation, if that makes sense. Like when you get numb at the dentist and it starts to wear off, you can feel yourself chewing but can't feel when you bite a chunk out of your cheek! It's a continuous dose of meds that can be turned up or down as needed, and when it's turned off it wears off much faster.

I have heard of epi's being used for c/sections, it depends on the dr. Mine prefers spinal's.

 

That was a great question and thanks for the link as well. I was wondering myself!

 

I think the spinal is the method of choice for a planned c-section. I believe that an epi is most often used when the c is unexpected--like the mom has already been a labor a while and the section is an emergency.

 

I had spinal with my c-section with DS and I still feel thast they touch me and feel the pressure but nothing else and it is right very long to wear off my took me almost 5 hours.
my friends had epidural because she had induction but after it appear that cord around the baby's neck and swhe had emergency c-section and epidural didn't give the correct effect she felt the knife and end up with general anastesia for delivery.

so I think that if you have planed c-section it better be spinal.

 

thanks guys, this has been an informative morning for me... why oh why couldnt baby a turn around?