Does anyone know if there is a difference between a epidural and a spinal?

renee1218

I am having another c-section and with my last one I had a epidural but did not take. Do you know the difference between a epidural and spinal?

calex33

I had a c/s with a spinal and my understanding is that the difference is that the epidural stays in place whereas the spinal is a one-time shot.

JuliaKL

my understanding is that a spinal is a one-shot deal -- you get a single injection of drug into that area that lasts for a longer time, but has you completely with no feeling in your legs (definitely can't have a walking spinal like you can have a walking epidural).  epidurals, they leave a catheter in and can redose you.  they can leave it lighter or up the dose as they need to.

madhatter2003

Yep. Epidural goes into a different 'space' than the spinal, and it a drip that can be adjusted up or down.

A spinal is usually a one-off shot, and used more for c/s since the length of time medicine is needed is shorter.  I think it also numbs you from slightly higher up on the body than an epidural.

LizzieA

they are very similar...

but are slightly different in where the needle is placed...

i just got a pamphlet from my doctor on it...

one is "deeper" into actual spinal cavity, i think?

chelsearenee

They showed us in our prepared childbirth class that the epidural doesnt go as far into the spine as the spinal.  There is a thin layer between where the two are injected.

JCM083009

It just refers to where in your back it's placed.  Epidural is placed in the rea right outside the spinal canal (epidural space) and the spinal is placed inside the spinal canel, actually into the spinal fluid.

Dancer6978

The instructor of the class I took at the hospital said that a spinal is more powerful and that it enters your spinal fluid, whereas an epidural's needle does not enter into your spinal fluid but stops right before it.

renee1218

Thank you everryone

mchopard

epi goes into the epidural space.

spinal goes into the subarachnoid space.

either can be one time or left in place, but for the purposes for L&D epi's are typically left in place and spinals are one time. The exception is the epi's which are accidentally made into spinals (can be fairly common) its like a REALLY effective epi.