Spinal question for cesarean moms

rdonovan · October 2014

I'm having a scheduled csection tomorrow morning at 9. My first csection was emergency with dd ending up in NICU for 3 days. I had an epidural with that one but for this ill be having a spinal. I would love a couple different perspectives on the different experiences between the two. The epidural made me really sick and recovery was long. I read one lady's story that the spinal makes your whole body numb up through the shoulders? Give me the lowdown!

ashie0610 · October 2014

I had a spinal and was numb from the ribs down.

ETA: I also had severe, uncontrollable shaking during the surgery and vomited out if nowhere about an hour or two after I was out of recovery, as several PPs mentioned.

Syllessa · October 2014

Pretty much everything ^^ she said. Omg the itching. I was numb through my shoulders, and I couldn't feel myself breathing. FTR I was breathing just fine, but not being able to feel it was scary. After a few minutes, that sensation went away.

eta..."she"=famousea

Slapdashalice · October 2014

I don't have any experience yet but I have been told that a spinal is preferable to an epidural so hopefully you will be pleasantly surprised. Good luck to you tomorrow

I am right behind you, scheduled for Tuesday morning.

Eelyak2 · October 2014

Pretty much everything that has been said! I got sick before my husband came in the OR and then again when I got back to my room after recovery. The nausea would come out of no where and I would start throwing up for probably 4 hours. I was numb from my ribs down. I also had itching, mostly on my face!

CNJ4EVA · October 2014

I had an epidural for my first CS and I was extremely shaky and cold during the surgery. Just my lower body was numb. I can't remember exactly how long I was numb for, but I remember not getting out of bed until the following afternoon (surgery was 8pm).

This time I had a spinal and was numb ribs down. I wasn't shaky, cold, or nauseous during surgery (they gave me something via IV to prevent nausea). The morphine caused terrible itching, particularly on my face. I was out of bed 24 hours after surgery.

reneenearl · October 2014

I had a spinal with my csection for DS1. I was numb from ribs down. They told me I might feel sick during the surgery and I did a little. They gave me zofran. I was not cold, shakey, or itchey. It took about 12 hours before I had enough feeling in my legs to walk, or put weight on them. I was not able to pee for about 24 hours after the surgery, but they made it seem like that was not normal. I had a full bladder but could not urinate.

Other than that , I felt great.

persephonerose · October 2014

I always tell the anesthesiologist that I get sick so they gave me anti-nausea medications along with my spinal with my first c-section. It seemed like I was only numb from my ribs down. I was able to move my arms when they brought my son over to me. After they took me to recovery I did have phantom sensation of my legs being bent and I kept asking the nurse to move them, but they weren't bent. I was cold and shivering from the IV fluids but the nurses kept bringing me warm blankets in recovery to help with that. By the time I was in my postpartum room (3-4 hours) I could feel my legs again but they did not let me get out of bed until the next day.

TheFutureMrs.O · October 2014

Thanks for this question. I've been wondering the same thing. I have my RCS on Wednesday. I was horribly shaking with teeth chattering with the epidural for DS. Was hoping to escape that feeling with the spinal.

Jlp12314812 · October 2014

I had a c-section on Friday, and I had a spinal. I was shaky which is a side effect, and had a little nasusa but they gave me meds. C-section took a total of 1 hour (10-11), recovery right after, and I was able to move my legs within 2 hours (12). Got home today 2 days after.

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