Scared of two things...

clarks415 · September 2011

Getting a spinal. I got an epidural w/ ds b/c c/s was not planned. I heard mixed things.

And I am terrified of the recovery with my four year old coming home. I have a fear he will somehow injure me by accident.

Any experiences?

sillypit · September 2011

My spinal was perfection, went in easy, worked perfect and I was able to be up by that evening and start walking around. DD was born at 1:30PM.

DD was my first so I can't help with the toddler.

EveryNameIWantIsTaken · September 2011

I'm not going to lie, I'm nervous about coming home to ds too. Not only because I'm afraid of getting hurt, but the jealousy as well since I'll be able to pick up the new baby, but not him. I'm also scared of getting the spinal. I was so beyond ready for the epi when I got it with ds, nothing would have bothered me. I think being in a normal, not in pain state to begin with, will make me notice it going in much more.

RoxBride · September 2011

I wouldn't give the spinal a second thought. Unless you are one of the rare folks with issues, it will be done before you know it and is so quick you won't register the pain.

I don't know that a 4 year old will injure you...just don't wrestle with him, you know? Tell him you have a big owie on your stomach and ask him to be gentle. To be perfectly honest, most women have enough of a little hang over right over the little incision that first week or two that you have some incision protection.

manda26 · September 2011

I had a spinal for my c/s on Monday. Never had an epi so I can't compare, and I was certainly scared about it (I was scared about all of it!)

It didn't hurt as bad as I though, I think it was mostly my anxiety about it all that made me uncomfortable to get it. But the surgery was painless for me, I felt things going on but nothing hurt at all. I was told I might hurt a little when they were pushing on me to get him out but I didn't even know when that was going on. I did feel a little out of it after, but they gave me other meds and stuff because I was nauseous so I don't know exactly what made me feel that way. All in all, I would get a spinal again for a future c/s

ChiTown Bridget · September 2011

No expierience as far as caring for another child, since DS was my first but I had no problems with the spinal whatsoever. I had a great anesthesiologist and I did not feel anything while he administered it.

ougrad1 · September 2011

I was scared of the spinal as well. My first section wasn't planned and I just got the epi.

It was very quick and I didn't notice a difference, really. To me, it just worked a lot more quickly than the epi. They do give you a local anesthetic to numb you first. It's just like any other shot. It stings a little just for a second. You'll feel a big push as they put it in but, no pain since you have the local first. Honestly, you won't remember it after the section has started.

Emerson was 2.4 years when my twins arrived and I was fine. We survived. We did have family offer to take Emerson out and about and spend the night out for the first month and that did help a lot.

For me, the mommy guilt was tremendous when it came to my oldest. Looking back, I put it all on myself. Emerson was just fine. Take a few minutes out of your day to play a board game or read a book with just him for the first month or so and soon he won't remember when he didn't have his sibling. Don't make the mistake I did and start blaming yourself because you THINK your oldest is being left out or he is sad. It will all come together and be great!

emma&katiesmom · September 2011

I am a big wimp when it comes to needles... The only "pain" I felt was the local injections to numb the area and that really was not a big deal (other than me getting all worked up about it beforehand - I told you, I'm a wimp!). With my first DD I had to get a second poke of the spinal because the first one didn't reach the area it was supposed to (I'm a plus-sized mama and needed a bigger needle). This was charted for my second DD and you can bet I asked about it before they made the same mistake that time... The spinal itself really isn't a big deal.

And as for coming home, I made sure I took my pain meds and got up as much as I could. To be honest, the baby was the least of my worries - it was my oldest DD who was almost two that had me going all day. There really wasn't any jealousy because I was spending all the time that DD2 was sleeping with DD1. I also made sure she knew I had a big boo-boo on my tummy and when I'd sit down on the couch/ recliner I was sure to have a pillow or my boppy in my lap to protect the incision area.

isacdimi10 · September 2011

1) I had the same fears because I had the epidural in place when they told me I needed a c-section with DD. The Spinal was WEIRD. It felt funny kind of like when you bang your funny bone? it didn't actually hurt.

2) At 4 he should be able to understand "Mommy's belly hurts please be careful" even if accident occur it wont be terrible. My 1 year old fell onto my stomach 4 days after I had DS. It hurt like HELL but it wasn't a long pain.

1CINCYGIRL · September 2011

I LOVED my spinal. I have had 3 epidurals in the past for delivery of DS and a major surgery. The epidurals were crap. I voiced my concerns about being scared about spinal not working also. It was the best thing ever. I had a 4 year old also at the time of my c-section, and he did great. He was use to avoiding jumping on me and being easy with me afterwards becase of being pregnant.

chocolateaddict · September 2011

I was nervous of the spinal too so I asked to talk to the anesthesiologist before my CS. He explained that it is the same drug as the epi but you get about 100th of the dose because they know exactly how long you have to be under for. He totally put my mind at rest and it was a breeze. My DD was 20 months when I came home. I used to put my boppy around my waist when I was sitting down and this helped shield my incision from her if she wanted to cuddle etc. Good luck!

magdalina.h · September 2011

My spinals were both easy.

gmc222 · September 2011

My spinal was fine. It pinched going in (as expected) and worked immediately. By the time my surgery was over I could start to feel my legs, and was standing up several hours later.

I have no advice for having a toddler at home, but good luck!

tmattson2005 · September 2011

I had the spinal with my second child, and when i got home to my then 1 1/2 year old, it didnt cause me any issues, i was home cooking cleaning and chasing her around all while being home a few hours. i wouldnt worry to much about it. I had more issues with my epi with the first daughter since it messed up my nerves in one of my legs so i am going spinal again with my third in April.

trizzie · September 2011

1. The spinal was no big deal to me. Just a little pinch and it was over.

2. I came home to a 2 year 9 month old. Honestly, my recovery the second time around was even easier than the first (both were scheduled sections). DS knew to be gentle with mommy and obviously I couldn't pick him up or anything. But, everything was fine. Good luck!

justrachet · September 2011

I had no issues with the spinal. It wasn't much different than the epidural.

I have a 20 month old. He still sleeps in a crib, needs to be lifted in and out of the car, etc, so my mom is here until I am able to pick him up again. If he wants to sit in my lap, I put a small pillow over my tummy for a buffer. Mom and DH try to do as much with him as they can, but sometimes he just wants me. He has hurt me by digging his elbows into my stomach, and he kicked my stomach yesterday, but he has not done any damage.

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