Epideral or spinal?

Question

How many of you experianced one or the other, or both? I'm so scared to feel it. My first ceserean I was put out, I chose to. My dr that I have now told me he's going to have me stay awake.

So.. basically I just want to know how bad it hurts and what to expect! Thanks!!

Answer 1

Honey I have had both. I am a mom of four, I have had 2 epidurals, 1 natural, and 1 spinal all in the past 5 years. Yeah I think I am on the edge of insanity.

Anyways, to let you know, if you can bear with the birth natural is the way to go, it went by so much faster although it hurt like you know what! I didnt have hardly any after pains and just felt wonderful, no groginess, etc.

So if you dont go natural second choice is Spinal, my labor was going fast so mine didnt work quick enough, but as long as they get it to you more than 5 minutes before you give birth you will be ok. They actually give you some sleepy medicine to help you rest through the worst of the contractions, then when you are close to labor they give you the spinal, it is a shot in the back, rather than having a big fat tube down your spine(which I find sickning, even though I have had 2, because one was my first I didnt know better, and the other time they didnt give me the spinal option). Back on track, they give you the shot and it numbs you starting at your toes and works up your legs, and girl...you dont feel hardly anything, ITS GREAT! Even afterwards, I was kind of numb which I didnt like, but heck I didnt feel any pain!

Last....and definatly least get the Epidural. I have had nothing but horrer, both mine failed, that is just me personally though. They can redo it if it isnt working and go up higher in your back, which is even more painful, inserting the epi is painful, but the shot for the spinal is a little bit too, but I would say epi was far worse, I cried and screamed both times with the epis. It is suppose to numb your area and numb the contractions, but it didnt happen for me, had it happened I would have been alot happier.

Good luck!~mom of 4 under 5

***PS: My due date was iffy, so I drank 4 ounces of caster oil 2 days after our estimated date...that night I went to sleep and woke up at 2am(drank the stuff at 7pm)I had the baby by 3:30am, so if you do that make sure the hospital is close***thats what I had the last one all natural, everything went to fast...But it was so much easier!

Answer 2

I had a spinal for my C-section in February, and it didn't hurt at all. The worst was, of course, having the first needle, but that was only as bad as a hard pinch or a bee sting, and only lasted a few seconds. Then, I felt a little...tingly, I guess would be a good word, for a few moments, until the anesthesia took effect, and I couldn't feel anything anymore, from the chest, down. There was just a small, small pulling sensation when the baby was born.

Later on, though, I was all itchy and shakey from a reaction to the medicine, and had to get shots of antihitamine and muscle relaxant through my IV.

My sister-in-law had an epidural in November, and she said it was a God send.

Answer 3

3 Months ago I had my daughter by c section. They decided on doing a spinal tap. Let me tell you.. mine was painful. First they inject you with a local numbing medicine. Which didnt work much for me. I felt every pinch. They had to restick me several times to try and find the right spot and they pushed really hard trying to get it into the right spot. Eventually they gave up and decided on doing the epidural because they couldnt get the spinal in the right area they needed. The epidural was a breeze, went right in and took about 5 minutes for them to be finished. And it didnt hurt muchh at all. But then I had a problem with the epiduarl. They didnt give it enough time to kick in all the way and I felt them cutting me, So I wound up getting put all the way to sleep.. which was a breeze and I thought it would be so much more scarier. Why don't you just request getting put to sleep again? Most doctors would rather you be a sleep. But don't be scared every person is different and I'm sure you wont have any problems either way. And its over so fast anyway and then your back home before you know it, with your bundle of joy to hold. Rest up while you can... Your life is going to get a lot more busier! Best Wishes and Good Luck!

Answer 4

I had an epidural with my first child (vaginal birth) and a spinal block with my second child (c-section). I'll take the epidural hands down. When they first insert it, they give you a "test dose" of a mild narcotic (I was given Stadol) to make sure the epi. is working. I was flying high on cloud nine for about 20 minutes. :D Then it wore off and the actual numbing meds began to work. I still felt a *little* pain, but I think this is because they don't want you completely numb because you won't know that you need to push. The spinal block I had numbed me completely from mid-chest down, and it took forever to wear off. As a result of this, I was in recovery for HOURS.

As for the pain, imagine a really really really BIG bee stinging you right on your spine. It hurts pretty bad--I won't lie to you--but if you have a healthy spine and a great anesthesiologist, it doesn't take long to do. The actual needle prick lasted 10 seconds or so, but then they had to thread the tubing in, but that wasn't painful. With the spinal, it's the same type of pain (a shot in your spine) but there's no tubing--they give you the shot and you're finished.

If you're having a c-section, go with the spinal. I don't know that they even give epidurals for c-sections. A spinal block is much faster and was less painful than an epidural.

Answer 5

I have tree kids all grown up, when I went into labor the Dr gave me spinal for all of my three kids I did not feel a thing I was in so much pain that I want him to harry up and give me the spinal I did not feel a thing I was asleep form the waist down, my youngest child is 25 and till this day I'm happy with my decision for spinal I have no complaints or back problem.Ask your Dr what he thinks is best for you, but remember to follow your instinct,your intuition.

Answer 6

I've had both, you will not feel a thing with either one. The spinal block was a little more intense because you basically can't move your lower body. The epi is better, you are still numb it's just not the same. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids when you are in recovery. I swelled after the epi, they pumped tons of fluids in me but none came out. Good luck and don't be scared, you will be fine! It's gonna be cool.

Answer 7

I had to be knocked out for my c-section because it was an emergency, but I lost a baby girl last month at 21 weeks I had an epidural, and had a vaginal birth, and could not feel anything. I could not even feel the doctor do any exams. I also don't know about anyone else, but before the epidural kicked in my legs became EXTREMELY painful. They felt like I had run a 26 mile maraton.

Answer 8

dont be scared, it doesnt hurt at all. It the best thing ever. All you feel is a tingly sting when they numb it to give you the epidural. I was numb from the chest down. would not be able to feel is anyone was even chopping a leg off haha. it was awesome im telling you! I had a vaginal birth and if i had to have a cesarean i would do it for that aswell. There were after side effects from it either. I think they just have to tell you that just incase but it is very rare.
If i was having a cesarean i would love to be awake to have my baby handed to me straight after.. its a great moment. Dont be worried, it doesnt hurt at all!!! its heaven

Answer 9

Well what to expect is this it is going to hurt but not like screaming want to cry hurt...Just hurts...But i got a tatoo on my lower back now that really hurt way more that any epideral....The main thing is just not concentrate on it...And when they put it in ur sitting on the bed well what helped me is i was sitting on the bed and like hugging my sis in law and i was able to squeeze her sides and that helped is to hug someone like put ur arms around them...Its fast and easy then u will start feeling numb....But i hope that helps u .....The spinal i never had.....Just remember to hold very still and dont move cuz he is messing with your back.

Answer 10

I Had An Epideral...It Doesn't Hurt..I didn't even Feel The Needle going In My Back. Good Luck To You...