Letting DH in the OR while getting the edpidural?

jessicap70486

Hi ya'll, I'm hoping someone can give me some insight here. I had an ECS with DD 3 years ago due to my epidural. The stuck me five times then when they finally administared it the drugs went up to my lungs instead of down. I stopped breathing and everthing went black after that. But I have elected to have a RCS with this LO just because I'm now terrified of being in another emergency situation. My only problem is that I'm afriad that I will panic and freak out when its time for the epidural, I'm afriad I'll cry and start shaking and just have a full blown panic attack, i mean heck the last time i had an epi it tried to kill me! So, I haven't been able to talk to my Dr about this yet, but does anyone know or think that they would let DH be IN the OR with me while they prep me for the cs? Mostly I want him there for the epi. Just to give you an idea of how scared I actually am about this, I've already worked out a facial expression for DH if I can't breath again because last time I couldnt even get it out that I couldnt breath i just passed out. TIA for any insight anyone can give me, I have my next appt monday but one thing about military care is you never see the same dr and will never know who will deliver you.

magdalina.h

My hospital policy does not allow husbands to be in the room during the prep. My triage nurse was in there rubbing my neck, talking to me and trying to keep my calm during the prep for my RCS.

jessicap70486

Do you know if they would be able to give me anything to help me relax prior to the epi then? I literally had nightmares after I had DD because the last thought that went thru my mind before i completely blacked out was that I was going to die and when I woke up in ICU a few hours later I freaked out.

JG362009

My husband was able to be in the OR when I got the spinal, but he's a doctor so when I asked they were like, "oh, well I guess since he's a doctor he can be in here."  So they made is sound like most husbands (unless your husband is a doctor) can't be in with you. 

ChiTown Bridget

My hospital won't let husbands in the OR for the spinal/epi. I had a very nice nurse talking to me the whole time and I loved my anesthesiologist.

hopkins5

I'm sorry you went through something so scary! The only way you'll get the proper answer to this question is asking your OB about the hospital's policy. My hospital does not allow it. There was me, the anesthetist, and a nurse.

jessicap70486

This might be a silly question but whats the differene between the epi and spinal? Is the spinal just a shot where I know the epi they have to thread the thing into your spine and what nots? which one do ya'll think is more comfortable?

JG362009

jessicap70486:

This might be a silly question but whats the differene between the epi and spinal? Is the spinal just a shot where I know the epi they have to thread the thing into your spine and what nots? which one do ya'll think is more comfortable?

Yep, the spinal is just a shot but the epidural is a catheter left in.  Of all the things I hated about a c-section, the spinal is one thing I did not.  It's just a shot and then you're numb.  I had the normal side effects of shaking uncontrollably though, but I don't know how you can avoid that.  The one thing I really don't want ever again is duramorph in the spinal -- I felt like I was going insane because the morphine made it feel like I had bugs crawling all over me for about 24 hours.  I'd take excrutiating pain over that. 

Daisy22

You need to find out the hospital policies on this.

My hospital, does all the pre-op stuff including the epi in the pre-op room. I had to be there 2 hours before surgery and they showed me to a pre-op room where I changed into a gown and they monitored DS2. The nurse came in and asked a bunch of questions then the anesthesiologist came in to do my epi. My dh was there for everything and they actually had my dh in front of me holding my arms. The anesthesiologist stayed a little bit to make sure my blood pressure stayed okay whcih he ended up giving me soemthing b/c it didn't. I saw my doctor then they wheeled me to the OR. Dh had to wait outside the OR until they switched me to the OR table. Once they did that he came in. So not every hospital does the epi in the OR.

Daisy22

jessicap70486:

This might be a silly question but whats the differene between the epi and spinal? Is the spinal just a shot where I know the epi they have to thread the thing into your spine and what nots? which one do ya'll think is more comfortable?

My hospital does epi for everyone b/c they hook up a pain pump to the spot after the c/s while you are still in the OR. You get the pain pump for 24 hours.

magdalina.h

jessicap70486:

This might be a silly question but whats the differene between the epi and spinal? Is the spinal just a shot where I know the epi they have to thread the thing into your spine and what nots? which one do ya'll think is more comfortable?

I don't know the difference. I've only had a spinal because I've only had c/s. My hospital has you sit in triage for 2 hours hooked up to the monitor, then when it's time they walk you into the OR. In the OR is where you get the spinal. I was worse the second time because the first time I was in shock. I was only 28w pregnant and not supposed to be giving birth that early so it was easy for them to get the spinal in. The 2nd time I knew what was going on and it took them a little longer to get the spinal and after that everything was a breeze.

Monkeyseedo1

I absolutely ADORED my spinal. I had an epidural while in "labor" but after two hours it only worked on one side no matter what they tried to do.... anyway ended up having an emergency c-section (not due to epi) and I was in sooo much pain by the time I got in the OR... they gave me the spinal and it was pure heaven. I would have a chat with your doctor, and then the anesthesiolist at the hospital when your there, about the possibility of receiving a spinal over an epi. Good luck!

aandg

I'm sorry you had that experience. It must have been so scary.

My husband was not allowed in the OR while I was getting my epidural.

cottonlily84

I don't know about epis in particular because I had a spinal with my c/s.  I also had a one during 2 surgeries while I was pregnant and the anesthesiologist gave me something for nerves, even though I didn't need it.  So I know it's doable with a spinal. 

Honestly, you are already braver than me.  I never wanted a spinal or epi and I sure wouldn't do it again if I'd had your experience.  I would most definitely panic.  I go for a vbac and if there were any real complications I'd rather they just knock me out.

DH wasn't even allowed in the OR until I was opened up.  They wanted to make sure nothing seemed it would go wrong before they let him in. 

m&m2006

With a spinal, the medication is injected inside the dura, the tough coating surrounding the brain and spinal cord and located right next to the spine. During an epidural, medication is put inside the spinal column just outside the sac that surrounds the spinal cord. A spinal requires less medicine and works faster than an epidural; but, it is somewhat more likely to cause a headache or low blood pressure.

mlf625

DH wasn't allowed into the OR either time (2 c/s) until after the spinal had been administered. 

jessicap70486:

Do you know if they would be able to give me anything to help me relax prior to the epi then?

They should.  I requested something before my 2nd c/s and it wasn't an issue. 

jessicap70486

Thanks ya'll for so much insight, I never knew about a spinal being a different option, I guess I always thought it was just the same thing. I have my next appt on monday so I'll definatly be asking lots of questions,but it sounds like the spinal is the way to go. I'd rather have a headache or low bp (mine ran high with DD and slightly higher with this one) than expirence anything close to what I went thru last time. And it hasn't been an easy road decided on RCS or try a vbac know its just a matter of sticking to my decision and not let fear overwhelm me

RaeAnt

I hope everything works out for you. When I had mine, they asked DH to leave the room. I think it's more because of thinking that him watching and you seeing his face will tense you up more.

When I got mine, my nurse stood in front of me, basically with my head on her shoulder/chest area with my neck tilted down to create a curve so the anesthesiologist could find what he was looking for. She explained everything going on step by step, until I told her to stop  because that was tensing me up more when she started describing the needle ( she said it was similar to the one used to give Novocain at the dentist. )

Going in, I was more afraid of getting my epi, than actual labor neither of which were overly bad. Especially since I got my epi almost immediately. Heck getting that stupid thing in the back of my hand hurt worse,IMO.

Mama Jan

What a horrible experience.  I am SO sorry you went through that.  It's very standard that DH's are not allowed in during the spinal so I have no idea how hard you'd have to fight to make that happen.

I wanted to reply to this though to recommend asking for a sedative.  I am terrified of epi/spinal.  I had a panic attack during my epi with DS1, and a panic attack just prior to going into the OR with DS2.  I had a sedative post panic-attack with both kids and it's what got me through the spinal with DS2, no doubt.  It did not make me groggy, I remember the births very clearly.  I was also very relaxed and maybe just a touch loopy (I said some goofy things...).

I'm having my 3rd c/s tomorrow and I'm going to be asking for a sedative when I walk in the maternity ward doors.... I've been having panic attacks all week thinking about the spinal.

GL! 

stargirljulie

My epidural was done while I was in my labor room, and DH was allowed to be there. If he wasn't there, I probably would have had more of a serious panic attack. I ended up shaking so bad and vomiting during the procedure because I was such a wreck and if it wasn't for my awesome L&D nurse on one side and my DH on the other side of me, I probably would have passed out.

While I was getting prepped for the surgery DH was getting changed into scrubs, and once he was done they brought him into surgery to be with me - it ended up being an emergency surgery, so I'm glad they prepped me quick and got going but they almost started without DH (which for the safety of my baby that would have been fine but I really wanted DH there from the start).

It was the best experience having DH a part of everything - I can't imagine not having him by my side the entire time. 

canthardlywait426

DH wasn't allowe in the room while I was getting my epi. The nurse was really nice though and let my bury my head in her shoulder and cry. I also had/have a huge fear of the epi so I get it.

KatFish2011

I had an epidural in my private L&D room with DH and MIL in there.  But during my ECS only DH was there.

Eris-Alexis

My DH was allowed in the room when I had my spinal, but I know that a lot of hospitals won't allow husbands in the room.  I would try talking to your Dr as soon as possible and see if s/he knows the hospital policies.