Epidural Vs. Spinal

What is the difference in feeling and how it is given?

My doctor told me I will be given a spinal for my C section and that's it's a much smaller needle & that's it. She told me this after I told her how painful I thought the epidural was with my first child. They tried 3-4 times to do the epidural on me it was HORRIFIC.

Is there more to it though? Why a spinal and not epidural for c section? Did you have both done with one of your pregnancies, which one do you prefer?

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Never had an epidural, but had a spinal for my one C-section.

I thought it wasn't that bad - actually, I thought it hurt more when the doctor was pushing with his knuckles to find the location of where he wanted to insert it than the actual insertion of the needle. At that point, though, I was in so much pain, I didn't care what was going on back there.

I think if you have a planned C-section, or in my case, did not start with an epidural while trying to deliver naturally, they give you a spinal. I think it might numb you more and they prefer that for the surgery. I think an epi is only used during a c-section if you have already been in labor and an epi was already administerd.

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I had a spinal with my csection and it did not hurt ~ I did feel pressure when they were trying to find the spot. (with the whole c-section experience I was most nervous about receiving the spinal but it was not a bad experience)

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The needles are placed in different places in your spinal column. The epidural is next to your spine where the spinal fluid is. The spinal block is block inbetween 2 vetebrae.

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I had a spinal with my c/section and not to scare you but they had a very hard time getting it in , took almost 13 tries, BUT...It didnt hurt not ONE BIT...and I was so scared. I felt nothing at all but a small prick from the lidocaine they used to numb the area, no pain at all... I think you will be fine.

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I had a spinal with my c-section. I have been wondering since I got home from the hospital.... when did they remove it? I have no recollection of this? Does anyone know when this happens?

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I had a spinal...the hospital I delivered in used to use epis for c/s but they stopped (sorry can't remember why they did that)

But I had a spinal which didnt hurt going in at all. But I will say (not to scare you) that my spinal started wearing off before I was done in surgery. From the time I got my spinal to the end of surgery was probably 1 hour maybe 1.5 hours yet it wore off on my right side early.
The Dr did say that that does happen sometimes with a spinal but not all that often...

It wasnt that bad though I was still partially numb but I could feel them stitching me and by the time I was in Recovery I was in pain but they got me my pain meds quickly.

Re: Epidural Vs. Spinal

Posted by Mikismom

Posted by dpli

I think it might numb you more and they prefer that for the surgery. I think an epi is only used during a c-section if you have already been in labor and an epi was already administerd.

this is what my doctor told me as well

the spinal will numb you for 2-3 hours....

I was induced with my 1st baby and I had an epi

this time, since I am a scheduled c-section, I will have the spinal

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I had a consult with the head of OB anesthesia at Mt Sinai (because I had a spinal fusion which makes either more complicated for me) and he explained the difference to me.

A spinal is usually used for c-sections. They only last for abut 1 hour, which is all that is needed for a planned c-section. The spinal actually penetrates (i think the dura or something, can't remember exactly.) It is one needle- goes in and comes out and that's it (unless it wears off after the hour and you still need it.)

An epidural is not supposed to puncture the dura. If it gets nipped, that is what can lead to a spinal headache. (apparently there is no risk of spinal headache with a spinal, just an epi) The epi is an IV and stays in, so it lasts longer, as medicine is continually going in. The amount can be controlled the same way as an IV in your arm is controlled. An epi is usually only used for a c-section if you already were receiving it for labor pain, because then it's just easier to continue with that than take it out and stick you again.

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I had a spinal for my csection, and it was actually not bad at all!!! to be honest I don't even know the difference between the t wo...

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I have been curious about this too. I have a scheduled c-section on Friday and my OB told me they would be using some sort of combo

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I had a epidural with my 1st DC...
and a spinal with my 2nd DC...

I would definately get a spinal again..I didn't feel anything...not even pressure...I loved it...

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I had a spinal with my cerclage - the biggest thing is that you have zero feeling and/or movement from the waist down with the spinal. The spinal didn't wear off for about an hour.
I had an epidural when I had DS and I had movement and control of my legs and could feel pressure but no pain. As soon as they removed the epidural, I could feel everything.

As far as them putting either in, I didn't feel much of a difference, but I don't have any back issues normally.

ETA: I prefer the epidural cuz I hated the lack of control over my own body.

Message edited 7/23/2009 10:53:53 AM.