C-section???

LuckyClover13 · July 2012

I am getting a c-section monday morning and i will have an epidural and spinal block so I won't feel any pain for 20 hrs or so. Has anyone had one of these and what all will I be able to do for our baby. I plan in breast feeding and realize I won't be able to get up for around 20 hrs. Any advise would be great I am getting nervous.

mandapie · July 2012

I didn't think you could get both. With a scheduled c/s they will probably just do a spinal. I had one with my c/s and I definitely wasn't numb for 20hrs. I got feeling back from my toes up starting at about 4ish hours later (which is the usual recommended time that you lay down to avoid a headache). I was up and walking the next morning and my cath came out (my c/s was at noon the day before). I also was bf'ing at about the 4hr mark. I remember them wheeling DS in my room saying how hungry he was.

After surgery it's important to get up and walking ASAP to avoid a blood clot. The nurses let me push DS around in his bassinet up and and down the halls to get me going (although I know at the hospital I'm delivering at now they have a policy against that).

Sloane99 · July 2012

I don't understand having an epidural nada spinal block? I just had a spinal block and could feel my legs and move my toes a couple of hrs later. I was up and walking that evening after my daughter was born around 1PM.

My hospital had a room-in policy. The nurses were super supportive of me breast feeding and would lift DD over to me whenever I asked if DH wasn't around.

stemms8810 · July 2012

I agree with PP, I don't think you get both. I had a spinal and was not numb for 20 hrs. My c/s was in the morning and they had me up out of bed by that night. Regardless, at first you will need someone to bring the baby to you for a little while. Once you are comfortable getting up and around you can do more yourself, slowly.

LuckyClover13 · July 2012

They are doing a epidural/spinal block combo. The spinal block will last 2 hrs and they will leave the epidural in for pain management so I won't feel anything for around 20 hours. This is what they do at our hospital I thought it was weird bc how am I going to change diapers and stuff bc I will be numb for so long.

monica92603 · July 2012

What you will likely be getting is a spinal w/ meds in it, aka morphine. This will allow you to stay quite comfortable for about a day. I had my c/s at 7:45, was back in my room by 9:45 and Grace was brought in just after 10. We tried BFing then. I was up walking around by 4 and the only reason I waited that long was b/c the nurse was waiting on another nurse to come in so they could disconnect some of my wires. Grace stayed w/ me the entire time and only left to get a few tests done. I was able to get up and do everything right from the start. H was only there during the day.

Get up as soon as you can, it makes for easier recovery. W/ my first, I was in bed for over 24 hours and then it was HELL for several days.

HarrietNJMommy · July 2012

You'll probably just get the spinal and not both.

FWIW, I've NEVER gotten up before the 24 hour mark and have been just fine. They have the compression things on my legs overnight, and my catheter and IV don't get taken out until the next day. Even with laying in bed for 24 hours after ALL 3 of my c-sections, I'm up, walking around and showering by myself the very next day, and I don't take any pain meds. It is possible to do that.

I agree get up as soon as possible, but the way they do it at my hospital, I would have to get up around 9pm or so, and it would just be too hard with the catheter and IV.

GL!

stemms8810 · July 2012

LuckyClover13:
They are doing a epidural/spinal block combo. The spinal block will last 2 hrs and they will leave the epidural in for pain management so I won't feel anything for around 20 hours. This is what they do at our hospital I thought it was weird bc how am I going to change diapers and stuff bc I will be numb for so long.

In this case you will just need to make sure you have someone with you to bring you the baby and help you change diapers, feed, etc. If your SO or H can't be there, I am sure the nurses will help you when you need it.

magdalina.h · July 2012

You're getting both? Well if you can't get up, whomever is there to help you will have to bring you the baby for breastfeeding. I don't really have any advice since I only got a spinal for both c/s. Once you can, get up and move around. It will hurt, but it will help your recovery.

AmieVan · July 2012

Wow 20 hours seems like a really long time! I had my daughter by c/s at1030 am and was able to move my legs in my room holding her by 1 pm. They also got me up to walk around at 9 pm. I took a percocet that night and went to Advil the next morning. I would not call it extreme pain...uncomfortable yes. I started nursing her by 130.

drmsg · July 2012

This is a strange way to do a c-section. The typical way is to use a spinal with Duramorph (a long acting narcotic). This allows the numbness to wear off in 1-2 hours but pain relief to last 12-24 hours. What you are describing is usually used for big cancer surgeries. In these cases the epidural catheter is used for several days to provide long lasting pain relief. Sounds like overkill for a c-section. The other way this is used is for the so called "walking epidurals". This is used early in labor. For these the spinal is dosed with a narcotic only. This enables the patient to have pain relief for a couple of hours without being numb. When the real pain kicks in the epidural is started. There is no benefit to doing this for a c-section.

Even if they keep you numb for 20 hours, you can still breast feed. You will be able to move your arms and upper body. Someone will just have to bring you the baby.

Here is some information on C-Section Anesthesia

Mrs. Alice · July 2012

LuckyClover13:
They are doing a epidural/spinal block combo. The spinal block will last 2 hrs and they will leave the epidural in for pain management so I won't feel anything for around 20 hours. This is what they do at our hospital I thought it was weird bc how am I going to change diapers and stuff bc I will be numb for so long.

I had something similar. They kept in the epidural catheter in for about 36 hours. I had what is called "patient controlled epidural analgesia" with a fentanyl (narcotic like morphine) pump giving a drip and extra doses if I needed to with a button push. However, I was not numb for 20 hours. After the first bag of meds, the numbing meds were removed and I was up walking 12 hours after surgery. Perhaps this is what you will experience too.

betheppert · July 2012

They will do one or the other- most likely a spinal because it doesn't last as long. I had my DS at 9:30am and by 1pm I was getting the feeling back in my legs and by that evening I had my catheter out and was going to the bathroom (with some assistance). You should be able to do everything you want, but allow your body some time to rest. On day 2 my advice is to get up and start walking, The more you move the quicker your recovery will be.

kruegs1982 · July 2012

Of course you're nervous but honestly I thought having a planned C-section was great. I have a high tolerance for pain but I virtually had no pain afterwards and only took my meds for about 2 days. I was up within a few hours but there is no need to worry because the nurses will help with whatever you need and will bring you your baby when you want them to.

I am pregnant with baby #2 and want the experience of a natural birth but won't be upset if I have to have another c-section. My advice is to prepare your house for baby and relax. You have the advantage of knowing exactly when baby will be here.

ChiTown Bridget · July 2012

I only had a spinal block. I don't think they give you both. Mine wore off pretty quickly after delivery. Maybe 45 minutes or so. I had my son at 2pm on a Saturday and by early sunday morning (5am or so) I was up and moving around.

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