Your experience with the spinal

lbarrera86 · February 2012

I am dreading it!!! With Ds1, I had an epidural first and that wasn't so bad, but I had to have an emergency c/s. Ds2 was a repeat c/s so it was scheduled and the anesthesiologist took FOREVER getting the needle in and finding the right spot hurt me a lot. The whole process i think took about 10 minutes but it seemed like forever.

DS3 will be another c/s and we are having him next Fri. But I am so scared and dreading the spinal part of the preparation.

What were your experiences??

Suesse2009 · February 2012

Since I had never had an epidural or spinal before I wasn't sure what to expect. It took a few tries for them to get it right. A CRNA student tried the first couple times. My nurse was very good about distracting me through the process. She was asking me questions about my daughter. If I have a repeat c section though I think I probably will be a bit nervous about the spinal.

callalilly323 · February 2012

My spinal took all of 5 minutes and didn't hurt one bit. It was way easier than I expected! Hopefully this time yours will go smoothly

infinitek8 · February 2012

My daughter was late and they realized she was in transverse position at my appointment so I was immediately sent for a c-section. Because of the exam, I went into labor so I was given some pain medication in my I.V. I didn't feel a thing when they gave me the spinal. I have a planned c-section with my son and I'm terrified for the spinal this time. I have heard so many horror stories about how painful it is and since my first experience was nothing like that, I'm definitely in panic mode about this one. So I can sympathize with how you feel.

Good luck on Friday! I hope it goes very smoothly for you!!

soveryexcited · February 2012

My first c-section was an emergency and I had already had an epidural so if they did anything else, I didn't feel it. :-)

With my second, I walked into the OR, hopped up on the table and got the spinal and it was easy peasy. Hopefully this time you will get a better anesthesiologist who will do it in one shot. Ten minutes definitely doesn't sound normal to me. Ow.

cottonlily84 · February 2012

Mine took forever too and they stuck me over and over. They had to give me more numbing meds because it took so long. That happened twice and it was so nervewracking I would be freaked about it if I had to do it again. I'd even consider GA b/c it wasn't like seeing/hearing her for 2 seconds was all that memorable or bond-worthy anyway. Both times the anesthesiologist had to step in and help. However with my 2nd spinal the NA popped it right in first time. She was awesome. I didn't have to dangle off the bed in a weird position long either; she let me go ahead and sit in the bed as I would lie right down. It really depends on who does it. The nurses I had that time were nicer than my c/s nurse too. She just said "I can't see what they're doing" when I asked how much longer. I really started feeling like I couldn't sit there like that any longer.

ChiTown Bridget · February 2012

I had a very good experience when I had my spinal. My anesthesiologist was wonderful and it was quick and painless.

lnyost · February 2012

Quick pinch for the numbing needle and that was all I felt. I did have an electric shooting pain down my one leg- but I hear it is normal. Would love to know why that happened though.

katmacwv · February 2012

My c-section was planned, but the anesthesiologist had a hard time finding the right spot with me, as well. I don't think she actually tried to put the needle in until she found it because I didn't have pain with it, but I was certainly nervous with the fact she seemed to inept. I'm sure I'll be nervous this time around but more the placement and getting it in correctly than the pain.

maek99 · February 2012

This is the first time I have responded to one of these questions.....I have hade two c-sections, one emergency, one scheduled. I also had an emergency cerclage. Each time getting the spinal was not a problem, less then five minutes. Try not to make yourself crazy about this part. You will more then likely have another person doing the procedure and like each pregnancy, this will be different and most likely better then the last one. Think Positive!

Now I have a question for you and anyone who wants to answer....I dont mind the spinal, but I FLIP out when I can no longer feel my legs. I feel like I could go crazy! Does any one have any suggestions on how to calm myself down so that I can enjoy the birth of my beautiful daughter?????

lbarrera86 · February 2012

lnyost:
Quick pinch for the numbing needle and that was all I felt. I did have an electric shooting pain down my one leg- but I hear it is normal. Would love to know why that happened though.

I would like to know why too. The same thing happened to me on my right leg.

lbarrera86 · February 2012

maek99:

This is the first time I have responded to one of these questions.....I have hade two c-sections, one emergency, one scheduled. I also had an emergency cerclage. Each time getting the spinal was not a problem, less then five minutes. Try not to make yourself crazy about this part. You will more then likely have another person doing the procedure and like each pregnancy, this will be different and most likely better then the last one. Think Positive!

Now I have a question for you and anyone who wants to answer....I dont mind the spinal, but I FLIP out when I can no longer feel my legs. I feel like I could go crazy! Does any one have any suggestions on how to calm myself down so that I can enjoy the birth of my beautiful daughter?????

Sorry, I don't know if my advice will help but just think positively about your LO being here. I freaked out a little bit also because I kept htinking when i'd be able to move again, but once I heard my LO's cry, it took my mind off it.

lbarrera86 · February 2012

Thanks everyone for the response! Everyone's reply is so different and I guess it depends on the anesthesiologist. The hospital I will be delivering at is small so I'm pretty sure it will be the same person

super scared!!

kelly321 · February 2012

Mine was no problem at all. I had an unplanned c/s because of HELLP, but it wasn't an emergency, so everyone was pretty laid back and very nice. I felt the numbing needle and some pressure with the actual spinal, but no real pain. It took a while for it to kick in on my left side, but once it did I was good to go. I was able to start moving my legs about 10 min after I got to the recovery room. I can definitely understand being scared if you had a bad experience, but you should know that it's not always that way. Maybe your anesthesiologist was having a bad day, was at the end of a long shift, etc. I can't believe your hospital only has one anesthesiologist on staff - 1) what if there are two operations going on at once, and 2) the guy has to sleep sometime. I'm sure there are a couple with rotating shifts, so maybe you will get a different person.

lbarrera86 · February 2012

kelly321:
Mine was no problem at all. I had an unplanned c/s because of HELLP, but it wasn't an emergency, so everyone was pretty laid back and very nice. I felt the numbing needle and some pressure with the actual spinal, but no real pain. It took a while for it to kick in on my left side, but once it did I was good to go. I was able to start moving my legs about 10 min after I got to the recovery room. I can definitely understand being scared if you had a bad experience, but you should know that it's not always that way. Maybe your anesthesiologist was having a bad day, was at the end of a long shift, etc. I can't believe your hospital only has one anesthesiologist on staff - 1) what if there are two operations going on at once, and 2) the guy has to sleep sometime. I'm sure there are a couple with rotating shifts, so maybe you will get a different person.

i'm hoping this time it will be a different experience. I'm sure there are other anesthesiologists but I frequently see this guy while at work (I will deliver at the same hospital that I work), so I was thinking more than likely, with my luck, it will be the same one. But hoping for a better experience!

heatherjh · February 2012

lnyost:
Quick pinch for the numbing needle and that was all I felt. I did have an electric shooting pain down my one leg- but I hear it is normal. Would love to know why that happened though.

I had this in both legs and an involuntary twitch. The dr. "yelled" at me for moving-I couldn't help it!!! Not sure what it was, other than possibly touching a nerve?

jjhp2018 · February 2012

Mine wasn't bad but with this RCS I am going to be super nervous I know. lol

I was stuck at 8cm and in full blown labor while they were trying to do the spinal (sort of an emergency type c-sec but no ones life was in danger type c-sec lol). I felt the numbing needle but it was 100x's easier than the laboring I was in lol.

I did feel a "pop" when they put the spinal in and then felt pressure but all was normal they said. It didn't hurt but it gave me an "icky" type feeling. Almost what some would say "nails on a chalkboard" give them.

USA Kiwi · February 2012

callalilly323:
My spinal took all of 5 minutes and didn't hurt one bit. It was way easier than I expected! Hopefully this time yours will go smoothly

This. A little prick at the beginning, but nothing after that. And I had a nurse to hold me steady/brace me while it was going on. It felt like a reassuring hug, to be honest - and it was welcome!!

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