Spinal Fear

msgde2shus · July 2014

Hi,

I am scheduled for a RCS a week from today. I was induced with my daughter and had an epidural, which was a piece of cake for me - no problems. Obviously, with a RCS I will be getting a spinal. I have a SEVERE phobia about throwing up, and most everyone I have spoken to talks about how they threw up from the spinal either on the table or as soon as they got into recovery. I am allergic to morphine, which I know can also make people sick, so they will have to find another narcotic to give to me for pain management. The doctor today said I would have to discuss with the anesthesiologist my fears and see what they can do for me, but he said I should be prepared that I will most likely get sick. Anyone have any happy stories they can share about not getting sick from the spinal or should I just prepare myself now? I realize this should be the least of my worries, as all I want is a healthy baby, but sadly, my phobia about throwing up is just THAT great. TIA.

Kim22 · July 2014

I had three CSections with spinals and never even felt nauseous with any of them. I think there was zofran in my IV. I was scared to death of the spinal and it was fine. You will be great, congrats on your baby!

harmonicbabe26 · July 2014

I had 1 cs but didn't get sick or nauseous or anying... And it wore off pretty fast afterwards too. No big deal. Def talk to a doc about your fears and esp allergies. But overall it's really not a big deal. Personally, the only place I ever heard of people having 'reactions' is here on the Bump. Nobody in real life even mentioned any bad reaction. I think people just love to bring horror stories online to scare others, where in reality it's nowhere near as bad.

Monicagail1 · July 2014

I had an epi with my vaginal birth and totally tossed my cookies right after telling the nurse i felt fine, lol. I had a c/s with my breech baby and was totally fine. No nausea at all.

ashaw512 · July 2014

I had a spinal and didn't get sick at all.

emberlee3 · July 2014

I've had both a spinal and an epidural. Spinal was for extensive repair for 3rd degree tear after med-free vaginal delivery with DS. I got nauseous and threw up a few hours later, but that could have just been from the whole ordeal because is didn't last (Duramorph was injected at the time of spinal, so it was still in my system for several hours).

I actually had an epidural for my c/s. It was supposed to be an external cephalic version, but ended up with emergency c/s. I was a little nauseated, but did not throw up and they gave me meds for nausea.

Discuss your concerns with your anesthesiologist.

zbeesma86 · July 2014

I had a spinal. The anesthesiologist just told me to tell her when I started to feel sick and she would give me anti-nausea meds in my IV. I felt sick maybe twice? I told the nurse and she handled it for me.

I would talk to the anesthesiologist. She will probably put all your fears to rest. Good luck!!

redrockmama · July 2014

My sister got really sick during and after both of her c sections. I told the anesthesiologist I was worried about it (who wants to puke if it can be prevented, especially when you are meeting your baby). He told me to tell him if I felt nauseous, I did, he gave me something and it went away. Good luck!

HotChocolate79 · July 2014

2 cs's and I didn't have even a hint of nausea with either spinal. Morphine makes me itchy so we discussed other options but ultimately I decided to stick to it for the best pain management and just dealt with the itching.

BeachM · July 2014

Ask for an alcohol square to put over your nose. I felt nauseous during my spinal with DS2 and a nurse opened a small alcohol square and put it on the tip of my nose. At first I was all 'What is this?" but it works!

Ditto pp, they can also put something in your IV to help.

Lrjjj08 · August 2014

I threw up the entire time, and for about two hours after. This time they mentioned giving me the anti nausea meds before the procedure and a higher dose during. I was in a lot of pain for many days due to the vomiting and pulling of my abdomen. Some people are just more sensitive to the pain medication! It's good that you know that going in and can hopefully prevent it.

krazyinsane · August 2014

3 c-sections and I've never vomited. However, my BP drops and I end up getting a bit of epinephrine every little bit. It happened with my epidural (DD#1) and both spinals. Luckily I can feel when it's dropping too far and can let my anesthesiologist know before I actually pass out. I do get morpgine after but decline the benedryl for itching as it makes me too drowsy and I can't remember ANYTHING from those hours... I'd rather itch and remember my kids meeting each other and first baths etc

capulet · August 2014

I had c-sections with both kids. With DD it was an emergency c/s and I vomited once right after she was born and then was fine. With DS, I knew to anticipate nausea, especially because my water broke before my scheduled c/s right after Thanksgiving dinner, so I had about as much food in my system already as humanly possible. The anesthesiologist knew this and put anti-nausea meds in my IV, and I didn't get sick at all. I did feel a little nauseous the next morning but asked for meds right away and once again was fine.

LyndseylovesHugh · August 2014

My first c/s was unplanned and I had already had an epi. I threw up a ton so this time for my RCS I was given a nasty antacid to drink a few hours before hand and they put something in my iv and I didn't get sick at all, not even a little bit. Talk to your doctor about options so you can put your mind at ease!

RayRay007 · August 2014

I think today must be your rcs, so good luck! I know it's probably too late, but I wanted to add for anyone else that might read this is that I know a lot of women who didn't throw up. I didn't. I didn't want women new to c/s to think that it's a given. Also, as far as narcotics, I only got one shot of morphine in my IV during surgery and didn't have any thereafter, so hopefully they'll be able to give you something during the surgery, but you may not need anything after.

nursemarie925 · August 2014

This is my fear as well. Baby #3 was a section and I vomited the entire first day. Duramorph is a bitch! I plan on discussing this with my ob in case I decide not to Vbac. Also wanted to add, as someone who has worked in l&d, it's kind of a toss up as to whether women will vomit, it's pretty common, but the majority do not.

msgde2shus · August 2014

I am 3 days post c/s...and I am happy to announce I did NOT throw up at all! I was given a lot of anti-nausea medication throughout the procedure, my anesthesiologist was AMAZING! As soon as my BP would dip, she was already giving me something before I said I felt sick. Also, since I am allergic to morphine, I was given pain meds in my IV every hour for the first 24 hours, which was a HUGE pain, especially when they lapsed on the meds for almost 2 hours and I was in SO much pain. However, the second day when I was walking, taking a shower, and taking my oral pain meds, I felt a ton better! I did over do it and am paying the price today, but overall...things went much better than I planned! Good luck to everyone and thanks for all your responses!

Mama-Bear · August 2014

I've never thrown up, I had 1 epidural and 2 spinals. Only time during any pg I threw up was once in the last pg. During my last c/s I did feel sick but the anesthesiologist is right there, you'll tell them what you're feeling and they'll put Zofran in your IV, if you feel sick again, they'll give you another dose, no biggie really. I also felt really sick for the first hour or two after if I sat up too far, if I was mostly laying I felt fine, but if I got above a 45* angle, I would have to lower the bed again.

jazzyexpo · August 2014

flip_flops said:
Ask for an alcohol square to put over your nose. I felt nauseous during my spinal with DS2 and a nurse opened a small alcohol square and put it on the tip of my nose. At first I was all 'What is this?" but it works!

Ditto pp, they can also put something in your IV to help.

The alcohol square works like a charm! I got nauseous on the table, just after laying down and they put one of those squares up to my nose and it took the nauseousness away. I don't know what you would throw up, since you can't eat for awhile before.

kellyfo14 · September 2014

Threw up with my first C that was similar to your experience with the epi instead of Spinal. My second I had the spinal and had no issues at all. The spinal was overall a much better experience for me. I am also prone to headaches and didn't get a spinal headache.

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