Anybody who delivered at Stonybrook, please help

Please talk me off the ledge...

I'm scheduled for a repeat c-section on 5/11. My first was at St. Catherine's but for various reasons I don't want to go back there. My docs will use Stonybrook, but they REALLY don't prefer it and try to avoid it.

So when I went for my OB visit 2 weeks ago, I asked if I will be getting a spinal or an epidural for the c/s. My doc said "you'll get a spinal/epidural -- where they give you the spinal for immediate relief and then they pull the catheter out a bit into the epidural space and leave it there." So I said ok, as long as I'll be getting the epidural for PCA. Then he said, "oh wait, you're going to Stonybrook. They don't do epidurals or PCAs there -- they only do spinals." So I immediately got scared (about the pain) and I asked what they were going to do for the post c-section pain without the PCA. He said that they give Duramorph through the spinal so I will be covered for 24 hours or so. I reminded him that with my DD I needed the PCA for 2 days and he just said, "there's nothing I can do. I have no control over what they do over there." I'm a bit afraid that he is just trying again to convince me to go back to St. Catherine's. I have a friend who works in the pharmacy at Stonybrook and I asked him if he makes epidurals & PCAs for L&D and PP. He said that he makes them but wasn't sure which floors used them. He then called nurses in those units and asked them if they use epidurals/PCAs and they said yes. So now I don't know what to do.

If you went to Stonybrook, did you get a spinal or an epidural? Did you get a PCA? Was this decision left up to your OB, or did the anesthesiologist decide which you were going to get? Is there any way to revisit this with my doc without being confrontational?

Re: Anybody who delivered at Stonybrook, please help

I didnt deliver at Stony brook, rather St Catherines. But I had a Spinal and got the pump for pain right after.

The decision there was made by my anesthesiologist as my OB actually said I was getting an epidural but then the anesthesiologist corrected her as they dont do epidurals much anymore for c/s.

Also I am confused with my spinal It was just 1 shot in my back and that was it...how would htey give you the pain meds in your spinal for 24 hours? Isnt it the epi which stays in not hte spinal?

Re: Anybody who delivered at Stonybrook, please help

I didn't have a c-section, but delivered at SB and had an epidural.

Re: Anybody who delivered at Stonybrook, please help

I did not have a c-section but, I delivered at SB in November and I did have an epidural.

Re: Anybody who delivered at Stonybrook, please help

I am not sure what PCA is but I will tell you I was in a hospital where they did not give out pain meds. the next day I was in agony-I seriously thought I would pass out getting out of bed. I had to ask for meds which were in pill form and were Motrin and some other type of narcotic. My husband actually had to threaten them one day that he would go home an dget me meds if they did not give them to me! I will also say I think I have a pretty good pain tolerance

Re: Anybody who delivered at Stonybrook, please help

Re: Anybody who delivered at Stonybrook, please help

Re: Anybody who delivered at Stonybrook, please help

So for those of you who had the epidural, I wonder if it was because you were having a regular delivery rather than a c-section. I'd love to know if it is different for those having a c-section. Also, any ideas on how I can bring this up again with my doctor?

Re: Anybody who delivered at Stonybrook, please help

I had a baby there 4/2008 and was given an epidural.

Re: Anybody who delivered at Stonybrook, please help

Why don't you call SB labor/delivery unit and tell them you are delivering there at such and such time ~ ask what there procedure is...

Re: Anybody who delivered at Stonybrook, please help

I delivered naturally with an epi at Stonybrook. I know that a person was going in for an C section at the same time and the anesthesiologist had to do mine so he could do her epi (and stay w/her). They wanted me to make my mind up quickly because of this.

Re: Anybody who delivered at Stonybrook, please help

I delivered at SB via C-section and had an epidural.

Re: Anybody who delivered at Stonybrook, please help

I had a vag birth at SBU.... Honestly, don't worry.... the physicians there are such professionals, and are so current on the latest medical studies, they must only do spinals for a very good reason that non-anaesthesiologists like us don't know.

I trust that hospital completely... that's really saying something since I'm initally skeptical of many physicians judgements....

The L&D staff and NICU staff are amazing.

you're in good hands

Re: Anybody who delivered at Stonybrook, please help

i don't have experience with Stonybrook but i can tell you that i had a sceduled c-section wit DS and only had a spinal. the effects of it lasted well into the second day - i only needed motrin for the pain. the 3rdday was the hardest but after that i got much better as each day passed.

i think you will be fine.