Spinals? Who has had one?

KGF625 · July 2012

I am having a repeat c section tomorrow and I will be getting a spinal instead of an epidural like last time. I read in some places that you need to lay flat on your back for 4 hours. Is this true? I mean I know I won't be up and around but do I literally need to be down flat as a board?

mben1119 · July 2012

Yes, it is true. I wasn't supposed to have a spinal, but the anesthesiologist went too far with the needle for my epidural, and the recovery is a lot harder, since you are a lot more numb. The nurses will let you know when you can sit up, then finally stand.

lil_jen051708 · July 2012

I did not have to lay flat- I was elevated in the bed. I was able to move around in the bed like sitting up more or laying down. I couldn't move/feel my legs for quite a while but was not laying flat.

CMDR513 · July 2012

I had both done. The epidural was a disaster. My BP dropped and DSs H/R went way down. I did not have any problems with the spinal.

kle0113 · July 2012

I've had both! The epidural made me shake like a mad women after delivery. The spinal was fantastic and I was able to move around like normal after. I have never heard that you had to lay flat.

GL tomorrow!

maedamalu · July 2012

My spinal was great. They told me to lay very quick after the shot, but the bed was elevated for me before 4 hours...

HollyBee013 · July 2012

I had a spinal, and like a PP, I didnt have to lay flat, I was elevated in the bed. It freaked me out pretty quickly when I realized I couldnt feel my legs in the slightest. But you wont be laying flat (more than likely)

Temp6313048411121614 · July 2012

I had a spinal and I didn't need to lay flat on my back. As soon as they stitched me up they elevated my bed.

venussapphire · July 2012

I had one. I wasn't told I had to lie flat as a board, but with most of my body being numb sitting up on my own wasn't an option.

sbartschke · July 2012

Once the surgery was over and I was in recovery my bed was elevated. I was never given any specific restrictions with how far I could sit up or that I had to be laying down.

HotChocolate79 · July 2012

Aussie*s_Mom:
I had a spinal and I didn't need to lay flat on my back. As soon as they stitched me up they elevated my bed.

Same for me. I also remember not being numb for that long, I could move my feet an hour or so after. But I didn't get up to walk until the next morning. The only issue I had was that I don't react well to morphine so I was itching like crazy and actually had bruises on my face from scratching so hard :-(. A bit of benedryl helped it but that sucked regardless.

tawillers · July 2012

I have had both. I didn't have to lay flat.

My spinal was no different than the epidural I had with my first c/s.

mandapie · July 2012

I had a spinal and loved it!! I didn't want an epidural b/c I heard more stories of them not working properly so I was going to go with just some IV meds to take the edge off. I was on my back anyway b/c the surgery took almost 2hrs and then between that and recovery they elevated me a little but I know I wasn't up and walking around until the following morning, my c/s was at noon.

stemms8810 · July 2012

I wasn't laying flat. I was up an angle so I could hold my baby and nurse. My c/s was in the morning and by that night they had me sitting up on the side of the bed and I think stand next to the bed. The next morning they wanted me to take some steps to walk in the room or to the bathroom.

jjhp2018 · July 2012

I've only had a spinal. They had my bed propped halfway up in recovery and when they took me to my room. I was out for quite a few hours and the bed was never moved - so I didn't have to lie flat.

pinkmoonlight · July 2012

I had a spinal with my most recent c-section and did not have to lay flat at all. I was brought right back to my room after my c-section and was able to sit up in bed as soon as I wanted to and felt comfortable to. This was pretty much right away.

monica92603 · July 2012

I had a spinal w/ my daughter and I'll have another one next month w/ this baby.

To me, it seemed really easy. I was obviously lying flat for the surgery but in the recovery room, I was slightly elevated. I stayed that way for a couple hours? I think once I got to my room, I was elevated more. That might have been about 2 hours after surgery? While in recovery, I was able to rock my legs back and forth, but couldn't lift them yet. The nurse was impressed I was able to move them at all. That was roughly an hour after surgery.

RayRay007 · July 2012

I was sitting reclined in my bed in recovery after my spinal, and as soon as I could feel my legs and walk I was doing so.

lintscreen · July 2012

sbartschke:
Once the surgery was over and I was in recovery my bed was elevated. I was never given any specific restrictions with how far I could sit up or that I had to be laying down.

Same for me with my spinal.

HarrietNJMommy · July 2012

lil_jen051708:
I did not have to lay flat- I was elevated in the bed. I was able to move around in the bed like sitting up more or laying down. I couldn't move/feel my legs for quite a while but was not laying flat.

This. I've had a spinal for all 3 of my c-sections.

hwebb88 · July 2012

I had spinals with all 3 pregnancies and never had to lay flat. With my 3rd, it took them 3 times to get the needle where it was supposed to go. It hurt so bad, it felt like my spine was being shocked. I also get terrible migraines too

colonialbride · July 2012

I did not have to lie flat for 4+ hours. The doctor gave me the spinal, immediately was numb, and suregery started. I was in recovery for an hour and then moved to my room where I wa able to slowly start sitting up. By this time I had also regained a lot of feeling and movement in my body.

meh624 · July 2012

Don't know about having to lie flat. They never said anything. But my spinal didn't take and I had to be knocked out for the birth:( They warn you of it but you never expect it.

Good Luck tomorrow.

magdalina.h · July 2012

They raised my bed a little after a certain amount of time. Like an inch an hour or something like that

Worcbride · July 2012

had 2 spinals--one for each kid; you have to stay in bed--not flat. I was sitting up nursing both kids within an hour of them being born. You cant get up anyways cuz you cant feel your legs :-)

ByGrace22 · July 2012

lil_jen051708:
I did not have to lay flat- I was elevated in the bed. I was able to move around in the bed like sitting up more or laying down. I couldn't move/feel my legs for quite a while but was not laying flat.

This. I've never had an epidural, so I can't compare, but I had a great experience with the spinal, and was able to sit-up in bed and nurse my baby as soon as I got to recovery.

LoveBeingAWife33008 · July 2012

I didnt have to lay flat.

Kevinandlaura · July 2012

I had one with my c-section because my epidural fell out after laboring for awhile. The spinal was AWFUL!! I was in and out of it. I don't remember anything except hearing her cry. I was dry heaving, having problems breathing. Worst experience ever. I am absolutely traumatized.

It is so very different for everyone, so I don't want to scare you. I did not have to lay flat for 4 hours at all. As soon as I got to recovery I was sitting up a bit.

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Spinals? Who has had one?

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