Spinal block info?

rmaurer08 · November 2014

Sorry for the third thread of the day, but Google isn't solving this and I wondered if you ladies have some insight. I had an epidural with my first, ended with an emergency c-section. Planned c-section for this one. I understand that means I'll have a spinal block instead if an epidural. From what I have researched, the epidural is an IV that allows for continual medicine due to the labor process obviously varying in length. The spinal block is a one time shot of drugs that will last through the surgery. What I can't find is are the physical medicines dispensed any different from each other or is only their dispensing method different? THANKS LADIES!!

Edited to correct number of posts I've made today. :-)

rmaurer08 · November 2014

RHoPA1109 said:
This is actually your third thread of the day.

So sorry!! I'll edit for clarity!

LEMSA · November 2014

https://americanpregnancy.org/labor-and-birth/epidural/

Yes you are right. And epidural can be used long term to control pain. Varying doses of pain Medication can be infused to obtain the necessary amount of pain relief. NOT anesthesia.

The spinal is a one time dose lasting a set time (30 mins or so) providing anesthesia. Meaning, in a simple way, inability to feel or move the lower part of your body. That allows the operation to take place without you feeling it.

The medications in a spinal are in the same category of anesthesias, just administered in the spinal space and not the epidural space.

rmaurer08 · November 2014

Thank you @LEMSA‌ ! Very helpful! So I guess I just talk to my dr about the type of anesthesia used then.

LEMSA · November 2014

The anesthesiologist would be your best bet. They are the ones administering it. Your OB would have a general idea tho. If you do a hospital tour you may be able to snag an anesthesiologist to ask then.

JJBoden · November 2014

I've had a spinal with both of my c sections. The first time was pretty awful. I was numb from chest down and couldn't feel myself breathe. I threw up, panic attic, just terrible. Second time was much better. I had a shot of Versed to take off the edge then they did the spinal. I could feel myself breathe and it just went so much better. I will have one for my 3rd and final c section as well. I am for sure getting the Versed. I have too much anxiety to be cut open without it. I was walking within 4 hours of the 2nd c section. The first I ended up having to be out all the way under since I panicked. I woke up and walked at 8 hours post operation. ( I wasn't fully asleep for 8 hours... But close! Ha)

jk3610 · November 2014

RHoPA1109 said:

This is actually your third thread of the day.

Don't worry, if you don't like this one, I'm sure there'll be more today. Best wishez, girl!!!

ally3242 · November 2014

jk3610 said:

RHoPA1109 said:

This is actually your third thread of the day.

Don't worry, if you don't like this one, I'm sure there'll be more today. Best wishez, girl!!!

My guess is today she starts 4 new threads. Maybe 5.

JJBoden · November 2014

rsaj0807 said:

I've had a spinal with both of my c sections. The first time was pretty awful. I was numb from chest down and couldn't feel myself breathe. I threw up, panic attic, just terrible. Second time was much better. I had a shot of Versed to take off the edge then they did the spinal. I could feel myself breathe and it just went so much better. I will have one for my 3rd and final c section as well. I am for sure getting the Versed. I have too much anxiety to be cut open without it. I was walking within 4 hours of the 2nd c section. The first I ended up having to be out all the way under since I panicked. I woke up and walked at 8 hours post operation. ( I wasn't fully asleep for 8 hours... But close! Ha)
Woman, you just gained some serious street cred with me. I've never gotten up that quick after my csections. It has always been the next day. I didn't get up for at least 12 hours after the first csection, and almost 24 hours after the second. Granted, they wouldn't let me get up until they pulled the catheter out, and that was out of my control. However, I was not begging them to take it out either. I wonder if getting up that early post-surgery made your recovery better. I'm going to ask my ob about that.

It does help recovery to walk sooner rather than later. The nurses at both hosptials said they wanted to make a recovery video of me to show other moms. LOL I think I just wanted to eat! That and I don't sit still very well. I HATED not being in control of my own body so gosh darn it I was going to walk! I walk sloooowwww after and holding onto someone or on to the bassinet.. But I walk! Good luck with your next c/s!

JAP09-02 · November 2014

I've had one of each and agree that both felt really similar. I think there was fentanyl in the spinal, but it could have been in the epi too. Like JJBoden, I was up walking with the second one fairly quickly. I'd say within 8 hours. My scheduled one was night and day different from my emergency section.

JJBoden · November 2014

annej3 said:

I've had a spinal with both of my c sections. The first time was pretty awful. I was numb from chest down and couldn't feel myself breathe. I threw up, panic attic, just terrible. Second time was much better. I had a shot of Versed to take off the edge then they did the spinal. I could feel myself breathe and it just went so much better. I will have one for my 3rd and final c section as well. I am for sure getting the Versed. I have too much anxiety to be cut open without it. I was walking within 4 hours of the 2nd c section. The first I ended up having to be out all the way under since I panicked. I woke up and walked at 8 hours post operation. ( I wasn't fully asleep for 8 hours... But close! Ha)
I had a full on panic attack with my c/s as well - the whole "I couldn't feel myself breathe"... It's a horrible feeling! They gave me an air mask and I think at least psychologically, I could convince myself I was breathing. I am also super impressed by your speedy recovery with c/s #2! I was still vomiting and shaking four hours after I will make it a goal to get up faster with this next one. Maybe that'll make a difference!

The mask freaked me out. I threw that sucker across the room. ( true story) Got my arm out of the straps, took the mask off and threw it then proceeded to get off the OR table using just my arms. Didn't bode well for me needless to say. That's when they knocked me out

With c/s 2 my doctor was incredible. He really went out of his way to accommodate me. No mask,but nose tubes instead, hands were free and I was allowed to play with my iPhone. Biggest OR since I'm clausterphobic and versed of course. It went great. I love that man! I never vomited or had the shakes with the 2nd c/s thankfully!

fiscally3 · November 2014

I know with my RCS they offered me morphine in my spinal block. They said it would help with the pain later on (which it did.) Both my c-sections were at night, so I didn't walk until the next morning. Should be interesting this time around, since this one will hopefully wait for the scheduled c-section, unlike my second.

The tube part of the epidural has always freaked me out, so I am glad the spinal block is a one time thing. But I'm weird and getting the spinal block is the part that scares me the most about my c-section.

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