Epidural vs Spinal Block. Difference?

sammyslick

I will be having a C-Section to deliver my twins. After reading some different birth plans, I see some people opt for a spinal block, while others opt for an epidural during the C-Section. What is the difference?

Also, can you recommend any questions for the hospital regarding the C-Section and care of the babies afterwards? We have our tour tomorrow.

HotChocolate79

It was explained to me that if you are going straight for a CS, they will almost always use a spinal.  It's supposedly stronger and lasts only 3 hours.  I started with a failed induction so didn't get anywhere near pain levels of needing an epidural.  When it came time for my CS, they gave me a spinal, and that's what the anesthesiologist explained when I asked why it wasn't the epidural. BTW, administering it was basically painless.

HarrietNJMommy

At my hospital, scheduled c-sections get a spinal block. If you're an emergency c or have been laboring and then a c, most times it's still the epi.

Spinal block is one shot, can't be regulated, goes in deeper and lasts 24 hours.

I've only had spinal blocks for my 3 c-sections. The downside is that it lasts for 24 hours, so I'm tied to a bed........ 

JG362009

I've had a spinal for both of my c-sections and think they are totally awesome.  I also had duramorph in my spinal which provides excellent pain control for about 24 hours so you don't need to take any extra medications for awhile.  I was able to move straight from that to ibuprofen and never needed narcotic pain relief.  I would ask to see your babies as soon as possible (if everyone is healthy).  I was able to hold my second in recovery (but not my first) and maybe it was all in my head but the experience was just so much better since I got to hold her so soon.  

RioG1978

I was just researching this, and came across this article.

https://www.differencebetween.net/science/health/difference-between-epidural-and-spinal/

RayRay007

HarrietNJMommy:

At my hospital, scheduled c-sections get a spinal block. If you're an emergency c or have been laboring and then a c, most times it's still the epi.

Spinal block is one shot, can't be regulated, goes in deeper and lasts 24 hours.

I've only had spinal blocks for my 3 c-sections. The downside is that it lasts for 24 hours, so I'm tied to a bed........ 

Mmmm, I was up walking within 6 hours of my c/s with a spinal. I think hospitals generally prefer to use spinals, if you don't already have an epi cath in. 

This is from Wikipedia:

• The involved space is larger for an epidural, and subsequently the injected dose is larger, being about 10-20 ml in epidural anesthesia compared to 1.5-3.5 ml in a spinal.
• In an epidural, an indwelling catheter may be placed that avails for additional injections later, while a spinal is usually one-shot only; though a continuous spinal can also be administered, especially in pain management (with morphine pumps).
• The onset of analgesia is approximately 15?30 minutes in an epidural, while it is approximately 5 minutes in a spinal.
• An epidural usually doesn't cause significant neuromuscular block at the lower effective analgesic dosages, while a spinal more often does.
• An epidural may be given at a thoracic or lumbar site, while a spinal must be injected below L2 to avoid piercing and consequently damaging the spinal cord.
• With epidural, it is possible to create segmental blocks as opposed to spinal where the block involves all segments below the highest level of anesthesia.
• The extension of the block with epidural anesthesia is highly dependent on the volume and rate of injection. The position of the patient has little to no impact on the level of the block whereas With spinal anesthesia, the density of the solution combined with the position of the patient influences the level of the block significantly.

pepomntpat

HarrietNJMommy:

At my hospital, scheduled c-sections get a spinal block. If you're an emergency c or have been laboring and then a c, most times it's still the epi.

Spinal block is one shot, can't be regulated, goes in deeper and lasts 24 hours.

I've only had spinal blocks for my 3 c-sections. The downside is that it lasts for 24 hours, so I'm tied to a bed........ 

I had a spinal and I was out of bed within 12 hours. I could move everything within 4 or 5ish. Spinals are just a one time shot of anesthetic, where an epidural is continuous for as long as you need it. 

pinkmoonlight

From my understanding and knowledge the differences I noticed was with the epidural, it is placed in the epidural space of you spine. You have a catheter placed in your back and usually a button that you push for pain meds.

The spinal (which I would totally recommend) is a shot of stuff put in a space farther than the epidural. There is no catheter placed in your back. I was also able to get some pain medication mixed in with the spinal so I did not need to take pain medication for 24 hours after the surgery. After that I took oral pain medication. It is much stronger than the epidural as far as been able to move your limbs.

HarrietNJMommy

pepomntpat:

HarrietNJMommy:

At my hospital, scheduled c-sections get a spinal block. If you're an emergency c or have been laboring and then a c, most times it's still the epi.

Spinal block is one shot, can't be regulated, goes in deeper and lasts 24 hours.

I've only had spinal blocks for my 3 c-sections. The downside is that it lasts for 24 hours, so I'm tied to a bed........ 

I had a spinal and I was out of bed within 12 hours. I could move everything within 4 or 5ish. Spinals are just a one time shot of anesthetic, where an epidural is continuous for as long as you need it. 

I was not allowed out of bed for 24 hours all 3 times. I'm sure that's my hospital policy. I'm pretty sure that they put in pain relief as well like PP mentioned. I did not need any pain meds once my spinal wore off, all 3 times. 

desertlady86

I also had a spinal with my section and I was getting feeling back within a hour. 

akayf

At my hospital, they only use epidurals if you already have one in place.   I was induced and got my epi after 4-5 hours of labor.   I wound up needing a c-section because of fetal distress when I started to push.   They gave me meds through my epidural as they were running to the ER.  

My friend had a spinal for both of her scheduled c-sections.

My other friend had a epi since she had been in labor for almost 24 when she had an unplanned c-section due to failure to progress.   She got a spinal for her 2nd c-section which was scheduled.  She preferred the spinal.

Daisy22

I had an epi with both my emgency and planned rcs. My hospital gives you the meds to numb you which wear off within a few hours but then they put a pain pump in. I love my pain pumps and it was nice to have for the first 24 hours. I was allowed up and out of bed after the cathetar came out which was like 8 hours I think.

My understanding talking to the doctor is that with the epi the needle is placed in and a cath is left in the back so they can add more meds or do a pain pump. A spinal block is a one time deal and no cath is left in the back so if you would need more they'd have to do another shot.

nealbl

From Babycenter good info and short and to the point

https://www.babycenter.com/0_spinal-block-for-labor-pain_1489918.bc

MariJ1008

epidural definitely wears off faster than spinal.  i was originally set up for an epidural, after i was induced at 37weeks, but when baby's heart rate dropped, and i was not progressing, dr.s decided to give me the spinal block and do c-section right away.  i literally went to hospital at 11am and baby J was born at 3:27pm. i definitely was in bed or had to be carried to be placed in a wheel chair for a day and a half. i did not try to walk until day 2 at hospital...so that definitely was not fun and it was hard to care for baby. but i think either epidural or spinal, will affect each person differently. i would just research ALOT of both, because I did not and I didn't know what was going to happen or what I would feel afterwards.