STM+ with c-section

zipscheer07 · April 2014

Do you have to get a spinal or can you get a epidural? I had an epi with my first because I didnt know I would end with a c-section and it was amazing for me. I was hoping for another one but not sure... TIA

mtrhomegirl · April 2014

i was wondering the same thing:)

gmc222 · April 2014

I had a planned c/s the first time and had a spinal. Took about a minute and I was instantly numb from the waist down, and started to get feeling back in my legs as they wheeled me to the recovery room. No complaints.

This time I will have another planned c/s and a spinal. I have no experience with an epidural but I think they're very similar?

steprozz · April 2014

you can definitely have an epidural

eta I liked my epidural with my first csection because I then got hooked up to a pain pump for the next few days which was awesome. my dr told me I could have an epidural again.

chickpea912 · April 2014

Great questions - I didn't know how it worked if you went in for a RCS (or a planned one, guess it doesn't have to be repeat)

steprozz · April 2014

emilyh107 said:
My doctor told me they would do the spinal for my RCS. Not sure if you have an option or not?

never thought of this- you may not be given the option

ktwils2010 · April 2014

My first dd was a scheduled c section - she was breech. I was given a spinal rather than an epidural. There wasn't a discussion or option given - I think it was just standard protocol to use a spinal for a planned c section (ie when you wouldn't already have an epidural in place from laboring)
From my understanding the spinal is just a dose of medication, shorter acting unlike the epidural that can continue to administer the drugs over a period of time - maybe? lol

flerlgirl · April 2014

Epidural for me. He said that was standard and I didn't ask about the spinal bc nothankyou.

MrsCase1 · April 2014

I could be wrong about this but I could've sworn they told me I had both? A spinal for the c/s and an epidural that lasted the next 36ish hours to allow me to heal and discourage doing too much too quick? I was eager to get it out and once I did I walked.

ElTrain5 · April 2014

MrsCase1 said:
I could be wrong about this but I could've sworn they told me I had both? A spinal for the c/s and an epidural that lasted the next 36ish hours to allow me to heal and discourage doing too much too quick? I was eager to get it out and once I did I walked.

Theres also a CSE or combined spinal epidural. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combined_spinal_and_epidural_anaesthesia

MrsCase1 · April 2014

ElTrain5 said:

I could be wrong about this but I could've sworn they told me I had both? A spinal for the c/s and an epidural that lasted the next 36ish hours to allow me to heal and discourage doing too much too quick? I was eager to get it out and once I did I walked.
Theres also a CSE or combined spinal epidural. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combined_spinal_and_epidural_anaesthesia

Well, there ya go! I was only in pain one day after my surgery and I healed pretty quickly so maybe that is why.

zipscheer07 · April 2014

Thank you ladies for responding. I have been wondering about this for a while. I just had such a good experience with the epi that I would love to do it again

Ranada209 · April 2014

I have had one of each the only complaint I have about the spinal is that when I laid down it moved up on me and I couldn't feel myself breathe. It was so scary, I was assured that I was breathing fine but I couldn't feel it.

zipscheer07 · April 2014

Oh I dont like that. I felt like the epi wore off pretty quick and I was up and moving a few hours later!

kittenslove · April 2014

This is a good thread. I didn't know that there were two different things. I am TERRIFIED of spinal headaches - seriously, the reason I wanted to try natural before knowing I had to schedule a csection. I am going to ask the doctor about this on Fridays appointment.