I was talking with my doctor at my last appointment about pain management. For DS I had an epidural in for over 13 hours and literally felt nothing, it was amazing. When it came time to push I couldn't feel my contractions and never had an urge to push. The nurse had to tell me when I was having a contraction. DS was born with the vacuum on my last push before they sent me to an emergency CS.
Because of this I wasn't sure if I wanted an epidural again. When I told this to my doc (different doctor and hospital than DS) he said that I could get the spinal, which works the same as an epi, but is just one shot and wears off after about an hour. He said that he tells women to never count on having an epidural because the conditions have to be just right and there is more risk to
Mom and baby with the epi vs. the spinal. He said unless a mother is pretty insisntent he only does spinals. My last doctor and hospital never even mentioned this option to me.
Can someone who has had a spinal during a vaginal delivery tell me a little more about it and how you liked it? Has anyone has both an epi and a spinal that can compare the 2?
Thanks!
Re: Epidural vs. Spinal Block
Are you serious? Her question was about an epi vs spinal. It is absolutely none of your business if she has considered a natural birth. FTR I have had a natural birth and an epi and my birth with the epi was a hundred times better and more peaceful. Antidotal evidence for the win. OP I would be concerned that they can't predict when you were to push and you would be too numb.
Like you and your dr said, the spinal is a one time injection that will wear off in a couple of hrs. The epidural is a continuous infusion of pain meds. Usually the anesthesiologist can titrate the medication dose of your epidural to give you more or less, depending on your needs.
I would ask if you could speak with an anesthesiologist regarding which would be better for your needs. You could also ask them if they do combined spinal-epidurals or "walking epidurals." This will give you the immediate effects of the spinal and the epidural catheter is left in place in case you need more relief.
Might want to brush up on those 4th grade reading skills before you return with any more "helpful advice."
Sorry OP I don't know anything, I've actually never heard of a spinal.