question for c-section moms

I had a epi for my c-section...just wondering why some would get a spinal instead..what is the difference?


TIA

Re: question for c-section moms

I think you would get a spinal if you didn't already have an epi while in labor (assuming the c/s wasn't planned). THat's what happened with me, but I remember hearing that if I hadn't had the epi already, I'd be given a spinal.

I don't even really know what the difference between the two is though.

Re: question for c-section moms

I had an epidural and when I got into the OR, I wasn't completely numb. So they had to lean me forward and do a spinal.

Re: question for c-section moms

I don't think an epi numbs you enough for a section...
at least it didnt numb me enough...
I had a crash section and they were cutting and I was feeling it- so they had to put me under as they had no time to do a spinal...

edited to add this is what I foudn online:

A spinal anesthetic involves the insertion of a needle, usually in the lumbar (low back) region, followed by the injection of a local anesthetic solution. The needle is then withdrawn, and the anesthetic effect occurs quite rapidly. Spinal anesthesia has been around for a long time, and is recognized as a safe and effective means of providing anesthesia for cesarean section. Because the onset of anesthesia is very rapid and reliable, some centers use spinal anesthesia routinely for elective c-sections. The alternative method, epidural anesthesia, tends to be a bit slower in onset, and may result in a slightly less “dense” block (that is, sensation is at the surgical site is not eliminated as completely as with a spinal anesthetic).

Message edited 2/6/2007 9:23:09 AM.

Re: question for c-section moms

Posted by Sassyz75

I don't think an epi numbs you enough for a section...
at least it didnt numb me enough...
I had a crash section and they were cutting and I was feeling it- so they had to put me under as they had no time to do a spinal...

edited to add this is what I foudn online:

A spinal anesthetic involves the insertion of a needle, usually in the lumbar (low back) region, followed by the injection of a local anesthetic solution. The needle is then withdrawn, and the anesthetic effect occurs quite rapidly. Spinal anesthesia has been around for a long time, and is recognized as a safe and effective means of providing anesthesia for cesarean section. Because the onset of anesthesia is very rapid and reliable, some centers use spinal anesthesia routinely for elective c-sections. The alternative method, epidural anesthesia, tends to be a bit slower in onset, and may result in a slightly less “dense” block (that is, sensation is at the surgical site is not eliminated as completely as with a spinal anesthetic).

Re: question for c-section moms

Posted by Sassyz75

I don't think an epi numbs you enough for a section...
at least it didnt numb me enough...
I had a crash section and they were cutting and I was feeling it- so they had to put me under as they had no time to do a spinal...

edited to add this is what I foudn online:

A spinal anesthetic involves the insertion of a needle, usually in the lumbar (low back) region, followed by the injection of a local anesthetic solution. The needle is then withdrawn, and the anesthetic effect occurs quite rapidly. Spinal anesthesia has been around for a long time, and is recognized as a safe and effective means of providing anesthesia for cesarean section. Because the onset of anesthesia is very rapid and reliable, some centers use spinal anesthesia routinely for elective c-sections. The alternative method, epidural anesthesia, tends to be a bit slower in onset, and may result in a slightly less “dense” block (that is, sensation is at the surgical site is not eliminated as completely as with a spinal anesthetic).

Re: question for c-section moms

Posted by Sassyz75

I don't think an epi numbs you enough for a section...
at least it didnt numb me enough...
I had a crash section and they were cutting and I was feeling it- so they had to put me under as they had no time to do a spinal...

edited to add this is what I foudn online:

A spinal anesthetic involves the insertion of a needle, usually in the lumbar (low back) region, followed by the injection of a local anesthetic solution. The needle is then withdrawn, and the anesthetic effect occurs quite rapidly. Spinal anesthesia has been around for a long time, and is recognized as a safe and effective means of providing anesthesia for cesarean section. Because the onset of anesthesia is very rapid and reliable, some centers use spinal anesthesia routinely for elective c-sections. The alternative method, epidural anesthesia, tends to be a bit slower in onset, and may result in a slightly less “dense” block (that is, sensation is at the surgical site is not eliminated as completely as with a spinal anesthetic).

Re: question for c-section moms

Posted by SoinLove

Posted by Sassyz75

I don't think an epi numbs you enough for a section...
at least it didnt numb me enough...
I had a crash section and they were cutting and I was feeling it- so they had to put me under as they had no time to do a spinal...

edited to add this is what I foudn online:

A spinal anesthetic involves the insertion of a needle, usually in the lumbar (low back) region, followed by the injection of a local anesthetic solution. The needle is then withdrawn, and the anesthetic effect occurs quite rapidly. Spinal anesthesia has been around for a long time, and is recognized as a safe and effective means of providing anesthesia for cesarean section. Because the onset of anesthesia is very rapid and reliable, some centers use spinal anesthesia routinely for elective c-sections. The alternative method, epidural anesthesia, tends to be a bit slower in onset, and may result in a slightly less “dense” block (that is, sensation is at the surgical site is not eliminated as completely as with a spinal anesthetic).

Yikes! I had spinals for both my sections; the first wasn't planned and the second was. Oddly enough, my second spinal didn't numb me completely and I felt the incision. I was like "I feel that! Why do I feel that?" They ended up giving me drugs to calm me down, which ended up making me incredibly loopy. It was horrible.

Re: question for c-section moms

I had a scheduled c and had a spinal. I could still feel my toes but felt nothing of the c as it was happening.

Re: question for c-section moms

My c section was not planned. I had an epi, no spinal. They did "Up the dosage" of the epi and I felt nothing.

Re: question for c-section moms

Re: question for c-section moms

I had a spinal, don't know the difference

Re: question for c-section moms

I had an emergency c-section and had an epidural. When the doc yelled to the nurse to get the anesthesiologist because my baby had to come out "right now" he said I was going to have a spinal. The anesthesiologist got there within minutes and said that he can get an epidural in quickly and get it to take effect just about as quickly as a spinal does and so he preferred to do that.

The difference is where in the spinal column the needle is placed and therefore where the medicine is delivered. The spinal may be faster to insert because they don't have to be sure they are in the "epidural space" and it may take effect quicker.

Mine was in within minutes and I was numb before the docs and nurses were there ready to take the baby. I felt nothing and was very happy with the epidural.

Re: question for c-section moms

Posted by SoinLove

Posted by Sassyz75

I don't think an epi numbs you enough for a section...
at least it didnt numb me enough...
I had a crash section and they were cutting and I was feeling it- so they had to put me under as they had no time to do a spinal...

edited to add this is what I foudn online:

A spinal anesthetic involves the insertion of a needle, usually in the lumbar (low back) region, followed by the injection of a local anesthetic solution. The needle is then withdrawn, and the anesthetic effect occurs quite rapidly. Spinal anesthesia has been around for a long time, and is recognized as a safe and effective means of providing anesthesia for cesarean section. Because the onset of anesthesia is very rapid and reliable, some centers use spinal anesthesia routinely for elective c-sections. The alternative method, epidural anesthesia, tends to be a bit slower in onset, and may result in a slightly less “dense” block (that is, sensation is at the surgical site is not eliminated as completely as with a spinal anesthetic).

Yikes! I had spinals for both my sections; the first wasn't planned and the second was. Oddly enough, my second spinal didn't numb me completely and I felt the incision. I was like "I feel that! Why do I feel that?" They ended up giving me drugs to calm me down, which ended up making me incredibly loopy. It was horrible.

Re: question for c-section moms

ive had two cscetions and can you believe i have no idea what i had with either. i thought and epi and spinal were the same thing. boy am i stupid.

Re: question for c-section moms

I had an emerg c but one was planned for a week later.

I had a spinal. I think it was my dr.'s preference really.

Re: question for c-section moms

I had an epi drip and when they decided to go the c route, they just pumped some morphine into the IV that was already in my back. I hated the feeling of not being able to move my lower body (after the c), but hearing how some of you could feel the surgery during....I'm now glad that I couldn't

Re: question for c-section moms

I had a spinal. My c/s was planned but not for when I had him. My water broke early, I went to hospital, he was breech, I got spinal and had him via c/s.

Re: question for c-section moms

I had a scheduled c-section and had a spinal. I didn't have a choice but when I asked what the difference was I was told that an epi goes into yours and the baby's bloodstream, a spinal does not. I was totally numb in literally 30 seconds and had full feeling again in a few hours.

Re: question for c-section moms

I had a spinal - I was told with an epi they can control/change the amount (if you need more or less)