spinal vs epi

thehauffamily

Ok, I had a dr appt today and asked my dr since we are delivering at a new hospital which they usually do (epi or spinal) for c/s and he said spinals. I've had epi's with my other 2. He explained the difference to me, but I'm wondering if anyone has had a spinal does it hurt as bad as a epi? I HATE epidurals (I'm a big baby)!!! Do you prefer one over the other? I'm nervous now!

Do they numb the area before sticking in the needle.  I NEED AS MUCH DETAILS AS POSSIBLE! TIA! 

mben1119

My anesthesiologist messed up my epi and gave me a spinal on accident (she went too deep and pierced my dura). It was harder for them to control my blood pressure and to regulate my meds, so I either felt everything or nothing. Like, couldn't move at all from the midsection down. It is going to feel the same as an epi, since it is pretty much the same procedure.

tawillers

I had an epidural with my first c/s because I was laboring and got an epidural.  I had an unplanned c/s.

I had a spinal with my second c/s, because med-free vbac failed.

I couldn't tell a difference in either one.  I actually don't remember feeling them at all - probably a combination of the labor pains and medication they used to numb the area before they inserted the needles.

I do remember that with my spinal, my legs got really warm, and then my butt.  My doc told me that would happen and it certainly did.  It was a very weird feeling.

Potatertot

I've only had one c-section and I had a spinal for that, so I can't compare it to an epi, but I have to say it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

They numbed the area before administering the spinal. I didn't feel anything really. The numbing shot was the worst part of it, and then I just felt some mild pressure when the spinal was given. I was completely numb from mid chest down.

It started wearing off fairly quickly after surgery. I was wiggling toes and bending knees pretty quick in the recovery room. As I said, I've never had an epi before, so I'm not sure if this is something that happens with those as well. Overall it was a great experience for me, and if I'm even in the c-section situation again and have a choice, I will definitely be requesting a spinal. 

alizabethanne

They numb the area first before they place it. Its not that bad at all. I was already in labor so I had pain already but I do remember them telling me that they would numb the area first before I got the epi. 

kpearse99

What is the difference?

thehauffamily

klasala318:

What is the difference?

 

The spinal is more or less a shot directly into your spine that makes you go numb almost immediately and then it just wears off.

The epi they put into your spine but tubes come out of it, and it numbs you slower and they can administer the drugs as needed.  

One goes deeper into your spine but I can't remember which one... 

lindseywit

They numb the area for the spinal and it takes all of about 30 seconds for the spinal to happen.  I also hated the epidural and the spinal was nothing.  The difference is the spinal is just a shot and the epidural has a catheder placed (which was the worst part for me).  I thought that the IV being placed was much worse than the spinal.

thehauffamily

Thank you ladies, the hospital we are going to administers the spinal in the OR room and my husband isn't allowed in there while they do it, which I'm VERY nervous about b/c he's always been in the room with me.  My dr said he will be in there and will "hold my hand" for him.  He said he didn't blame me for not wanting it b/c he wouldn't either.  It made me feel better, but noone wipes away the tears and puts you more at ease than your own hubby, but hopefully it will be much less pain than the epi and it will be ok.  Thank you ladies for all your input. 

sabrina69barnes

I've had one epi and two spinals. I don't remember much about getting the epi because I was in a lot of pain.

My first spinal was very fast. Getting it wasn't bad at all but it made me feel horrible. I felt dizzy and like I was going to throw up during my c-section. I felt horrible for the rest of the day.

When I had my second spinal I explained how I felt the first time so they did things differently. I did get a shot first to numb things but I was given the actual spinal very very slowly. I couldn't feel it but they said that was what they were doing. It worked long before they were done so I needed help sitting up. I didn't feel sick like the first one though.

As far as the actual procedure I prefer the spinal. There was also nothing to remove later which was nice. You do have to be careful with sitting up for the rest of the day. Some people get really dizzy. I did fine with the second one but the first time I got dizzy and it make breastfeeding very difficult. 

poobear2015

I had an epi because after 3 hours of pushing they said I'd have another hour wait before I could get a spinal. I wish I'd waited cuz the epi didn't work enough and I could still feel things - so they had to put me to sleep and I missed DD's birth.