Epidural or Spinal? Is it a choice?!

pumpkinhead4 · August 2012

So my first my C I had a spinal, I am assuming because it was an emergency? Since my next is planned, can I request an epidural instead? I was reading that the spinal causes a sharp drop in blood pressure which probably led to my feeling like crap in the operating room. I heard an epidural takes longer to take affect but if I am scheduled than can't they do that before I go in and let it work? Will it be a better experience for me? Do I even have a choice?! I will be asking my OB at my next appt but wondering if you ladies knew at all. Thanks!

k.martell · August 2012

I don't have the answer but my epi during DD's labor gave me a sharp drop in my BP too. It took effect quickly and I was up walking about an hour after it was removed.

MichelleL1118 · August 2012

Discuss your concerns with the anesthesiologist, but in my experience, a scheduled c/s almost always uses a spinal, while generally only a c/s following labor uses an epidural (generally because the epidural is already in place when mom is taken into the OR). I had no issues with the spinal I got when DS was born (scheduled c/s), but I know that my blood pressure was monitored closely by the anesthesiologist. If you can talk to the anesthesiologist and explain what happened & how you felt last time, s/he might be able to tweak the dosage or the medication used in your spinal to prevent the same issues from occurring again.

HarrietNJMommy · August 2012

In my hospital schedule c-sections are spinal blocks. NOT epidurals. Epidurals are for regular vaginal deliveries and emergency c-sections from what I know.

None of my friends have had a spinal for their emergency c-section. They have all had an epi.

I have only ever had spinals. I've had 3 c-sections.

jesselayne8 · August 2012

I had both for my csection. Epi first but it didnt work and my BP dropped really low. They took it out and administered the spinal. If I had a choice, I would definitely go with the spinal.

nic5606 · August 2012

Generally it is not a choice.

Epidurals take longer to place and require continued medicine to be infused or given as bolus injections.

Spinals are much quicker and a one shot deal. Perfect for a c section, because you want to be mobile as soon as possible after.

Both can cause a drop in blood pressure and that is totally normal. It does not happen to everyone, though most people will some change in BP from it.

Good luck with your repeat c.

jjhp2018 · August 2012

Our hospital does spinals for RCS. Actually my first c-section was a spinal even though it was emergency because I had not gotten an epi during labor. I did have a drop in BP during surgery (80/50) but they gave me meds to bring it back up - they told me a drop in your BP is normal because of the surgery and blood loss.

Daisy22 · August 2012

I had an epidural with all 3 b/c that's what my hospital does since they put a pain pump in the same spot for 24 hours aftter your c/s. My blood pressure dropped with all 3 of my epi so just b/c you pick an epi doesn't mean your BP won't drop. They counter acted it and with ds1 and ds2 it was fine after that. With ds3, I had more issues with my blood pressure dropping to low when they did hte epi. I ended up on oxygen and had to get several shots to get it back up to stable but it never made me feel out of it or anything.

chickaboo1974 · August 2012

I had an epi with my unplanned c-section. I had pre-e and super high BP- the Dr. told me that he chose to give me an epi because he had more control over how quickly my BP dropped. I had no issues.

mandapie · August 2012

Go with the spinal. If you have an epi and it doesn't work, they will put you under for your c/s and your SO will not be allowed in the OR with you (b/c you will be intubated). That happened to my SIL. It only worked only on the one side and they had to put her out. Once you have the epi, you can't have a spinal it's one or the other. Chances are though that if it's a RCS they will do a spinal. You may not have a choice.

jesselayne8 · August 2012

mandapie:
Go with the spinal. If you have an epi and it doesn't work, they will put you under for your c/s and your SO will not be allowed in the OR with you (b/c you will be intubated). That happened to my SIL. It only worked only on the one side and they had to put her out. Once you have the epi, you can't have a spinal it's one or the other. Chances are though that if it's a RCS they will do a spinal. You may not have a choice.

This is not true. I had an epi and then a spinal with my unplanned c-section.

Msbean22 · August 2012

I had an epidural with my c-section, and I am very very VERY glad of it. It never hurts to ask going in, but it seems to me like it's a matter of hospital policy.

mandapie · August 2012

jesselayne8:
mandapie:

Go with the spinal. If you have an epi and it doesn't work, they will put you under for your c/s and your SO will not be allowed in the OR with you (b/c you will be intubated). That happened to my SIL. It only worked only on the one side and they had to put her out. Once you have the epi, you can't have a spinal it's one or the other. Chances are though that if it's a RCS they will do a spinal. You may not have a choice.

This is not true. I had an epi and then a spinal with my unplanned c-section.

Oh wow, I had always been told it's one or the other, I've never heard of someone being able to get both. Had your epi worn off?

CMDR513 · August 2012

I prefer Spinal 100% more. With DS, I had an epidural during induction. My blood pressure ended up dropping significantly, and DS's H/R went from 135 to 60 in seconds. They have to give me a shot to counteract the reaction. With the C/S, I was given the Spinal. I had no problems with it. I was up and moving soon after.

stemms8810 · August 2012

From what I remember I had a choice but the anesthesiologist strongly recommened the spinal. I did have a dip in BP but they gave me medicine to counteract it so I wouldn't feel lightheaded or sick. I felt perfectly fine with my spinal.

appylovee · August 2012

No. I didn't get a choice. Any planned cs at my hospital has a spinal. They work better, and you don't feel ANYTHING. Not even tugging! Yes the spinal can cause a drop in blood pressure, and so can have surgery. You tell the anesthisologist, and they give you meds to fix that.

emaddock · August 2012

Can I ask a dumb question? What is the difference between the two? I had an epi for my emergency csection but know if I have th RCS it will be a spinal. How are these different?

jesselayne8 · August 2012

mandapie:
jesselayne8:
mandapie:

Go with the spinal. If you have an epi and it doesn't work, they will put you under for your c/s and your SO will not be allowed in the OR with you (b/c you will be intubated). That happened to my SIL. It only worked only on the one side and they had to put her out. Once you have the epi, you can't have a spinal it's one or the other. Chances are though that if it's a RCS they will do a spinal. You may not have a choice.

This is not true. I had an epi and then a spinal with my unplanned c-section.

Oh wow, I had always been told it's one or the other, I've never heard of someone being able to get both. Had your epi worn off?

The epi only worked on the right side so I could feel everything on the left. They pulled out the catheter and administered a spinal.

JG362009 · August 2012

I've only had spinals. My first was unplanned after a 60 hour induction but I was trying to go pain-med free so I didn't have an epidural in place and they put in a spinal. Spinals are awesome -- the pain control is wonderful and I had duramorph both times so after that wore off I only needed to take ibuprofen for pain control so I was really happy to go narcotic free since I was breastfeeding. I would 100% recommend the spinal. If you're absolutely opposed I'm sure the anesthesiologist would work with you.

meg1974 · August 2012

The way it was explained to me, an EPI numbs you but still allows you to push. With a spinal, you are completely numb and cannot feel the urge to push. A spinal works quicker and better, so with a scheduled c/s they will almost always do a spinal.

I had an EPI with my first, a spinal with my 2nd. I didn't feel bad in the recovery room either time. In fact, I felt a little better the 2nd time b/c I didn't have all of the shaking I did with the EPI. Also, my EPI didn't work the 1st time so I was a lot more comfortable with a spinal for the 2nd.

That said, if you want an EPI they might let you do it.

stlmomma27 · August 2012

What is the difference between a spinal and an epi? Don't they numb you the same?

MelleTX · August 2012

During my childbirth class I was told our hospital uses a spinal for a scheduled c-section. I also could have sworn they told me they leave it in for 12 hours afterwards. Or maybe it's the foley catheter that stays in for 12 hours since they won't let you out of bed.

My hospital also offers a c-section class which I am scheduled to take on 9/15 as well. I need to know this information.

stemms8810 · August 2012

reece0099:
What is the difference between a spinal and an epi? Don't they numb you the same?

They both numb the same but how they are administered is different. A spinal is a one shot deal and an epi requires continual medicine going in to keep working.

mest1215 · August 2012

I had a spinal with my RCS and an hour and a half after he was born, i was able to get up and walk around the room (minimally, but still!!). I was up feeling great about 4hrs after. I had an epi with my first and didnt get up at all until the next day.

KingRay09 · August 2012

I think when the c-section is planned you get a spinal.

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