Spinal block procedure

jazz0oh · June 2015

Hey ladies, wanted to get the real and some honest answers on the spinal procedure. And how bad or better is it from the epidural? I have a scheduled c section for August 13th and just wanna know what I'm in for. I've heard the shots to numb the area before they give you the spinal hurt like hell and also can give you a terrible headache?? Say it isn't so! Lol

jesselayne8 · June 2015

I think the needle from the numbing is like a little sting but not super painful. For me the difficult thing was getting into the right position when I was in full blown labor. You shouldn't have that problem with a scheduled csection.

jazz0oh · June 2015

Agreed. I had an emergency c section with my last pregnancy but I had an epidural and it's always terrible having to "sit still" while having contractions!

bpwife&mama · June 2015

I don't even remember the pain of the needle because I had a contraction at the same time which was so much worse.

jazz0oh · June 2015

Right. My concern is not being in labor and getting shots & needles how bad is it exactly? I've heard some horror stories.

johannaspisak · June 2015

I honestly have no recollection of mine. They had me on a drip of some medication or other since it was a scheduled c-section. Have to say that I'm a big fan of modern medicine. I don't remember feeling a thing.

Thj417 · June 2015

Only struggle I had was not flinching when the anesthesiologist was poking me. I was so ready to get baby out I don't remember the pain from the spinal block. Scheduled for 2nd c-section Aug 24!!

(My labor was not progressing and I was never in need of an epidural so I have no comparison.)

jazz0oh · June 2015

@Thj417 Are you nervous? It's so different having an emergency c section due to complications and then knowing when you will give birth I'm definitely a lil scared. And how long from the time you get to the hospital does it take for them to actually start?

Bailey1823A · June 2015

L&D RN waging in here. Typically we have you come 2 hours prior to surgery. In this time we will draw labs, start an IV, hydrate you to prevent blood pressure drops (side effect of any type of spinal/epidural anesthesia), admit you with health history questions etc, and prep you. You will probably either sign consents or verify your signature if signed in office. Some one from anesthesia will talk to you about the spinal procedure and honestly the only difference between a spinal and epidural is this: epidural isn't as deep into the space in your back and no catheter is placed in your back, instead the medication is injected right through the needle. You will still get a clean sterile field, numbing medicine (typically lidocaine) and then the actual needle placed. The other major difference is due to the higher concentration of medication you will get numb pretty much immediately and they will have you lie down quickly. A catheter will be placed in your bladder and you will be prepped for surgery. Keep in mind you will still feel pressure and touching. Sterile field will be set up and OB will make sure you are numb before starting surgery. I typically tell my patients from start to finish (once in the OR) the actual section is about an hour. Sometimes a little more due to possible scarring of the uterus since it's not your first section. Finally the risk of headache typically occurs after when you are recovering unless you move too much during placement. Spinal anesthesia wears off via gravity so you most likely will not be allowed to sit up very high for up to 8 hours after spinal placement to minimize risk. If breastfeeding the first few sessions may be tricky due to this but the RN should help you. Any more questions you can always pm me. Good luck and hope this helps.

prhernandez09 · June 2015

I had it with my c section and i didnt feel a thing, you get this cool like sensation in your spine but no pain.

jazz0oh · June 2015

@Bailey1823A thank you that was very helpful

Lalala2326 · June 2015

Honestly, mine sucked. It was a scheduled one, but the person who did the spinal was apparently training from the sounds of the conversation they were having. It took multiple jabs and at one point I had excruciating shooting pains down my leg from them hitting a nerve wrong and a nurse had to hold me in a bear hug for it to keep me from involuntarily jumping off the table... Once it was done it was fine. I had no further complications and no headache from it. I'm going to request an experienced person do it this time and explain what happened last time when I have my anesthesiology consult in July. It was the worst part of the entire experience for me...

jazz0oh · June 2015

@Lalala2326 I'm sorry to hear that but thank you for sharing. Better luck this time around

mrswiebe09 · June 2015

I believe for my last csection they gave a skin numbing solution before they stuck the needle in. Hardest part was getting into position! I had to lay down quickly and it worked pretty quick. It makes me very itchy in the face though!!

Miz_Liz · June 2015

I opted for a spinal when I had my LEEP done because I am terrified of being put fully under. Honestly, I didn't notice a difference pain wise between that and the epi when they put it in (neither really hurt to me). The only difference for me was that it took a LOT longer to wear off. When they did it though they told me that there were two kinds, one that would wear off faster, but people reported more back pain/headaches with it and then one that took longer to wear off but had less risk of the back pain and such, so I opted for that one.

brittiniew · June 2015

I had a scheduled section with my first almost 2 years ago and was most nervous about the spinal out of everything!! I didn't feel a thing AT ALL and was amazed that it was over and I was already going numb! Hoping for the same experience this time! Scheduled for another csection August 14th, my birthday!!!

jazz0oh · June 2015

@brittiniew that sounds wonderful! I hope it's that easy. And what a great birthday gift!! Congrats I'm scheduled for the 13th

brittiniew · June 2015

Yes!! Hopefully it goes that smoothly for both of us!! Yay for Leo babies!!

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