Does a spinal for an elective c section hurt?

[Loonybun]

Random question but its really borthering me.

This is my second baby and will be delivered by elective c section in about 10 weeks time. I had an epidural with dd aged 8 and I didn't feel them do that but I had been in labour 30 hours or so by then so I think any pain dulled in comparison!

I'm worried the spinal itself will be painful and I'd like to know warts and all!

I don't even remember feeling it.

No worse than them taking bloods or injections, i.e. little scratch. You have to hold very still, but the theatre staff give you loads of help and encouragement on how to position. I think they put a mild numbing spray on the area too, but it's all over super quick.

I've had two emcs, both with spinals. Second time round it was all very unhurried and laidback so remember it all in minute detail. NO it doesn't hurt in the slightest. Promise.

You'll sit up on the side of a trolley and assume the slumped forward position, possibly over a cushion and the midwife will stand in front of you and chat. If you're owt like me you'll talk constantly about custard because you've been nil by mouth for 25hrs and the yellow goodness is all you can think of. You'll get the familiar sharp scratch of them administering a local anaesthetic but that's it for actual 'pain'. They then start to locate the spinal and you'll feel a bit of pressure and pushing but nothing painful. If you did experience any discomfort, say so and the anaesthetist will check/change your local. The spinal working is a very strange feeling. Bit like water trickling down your legs. They'll then help you back onto your back while you still have some sensation and very quickly you'll find yourself numb.

Is there anything else you'd like to know?

I had two v good spinal experiences. Totally worn off by the time I was back on the ward and was up and about 4hrs post cs both times.

Mine was like a little electric shock - tickly rather than painful. You will be fine

Thanks everyone. All your replies have been reassuring. :)

Its stupid isn't it I'm more worried about the pain of having a needle in my back than being cut open and sewn up again!! I think its because I can't see what's going on, and its people behind me... Who knows!!!

I think part of it is just wanting to be pre warned about anything that's going to hurt really!!! (-am expecting to be in pain afterwards obviously!)

I had NO pain afterwards either. They'll give you a suppository in theatre and morphine in your canula and if you keep up to date with your meds if you need them, there's no need to be in any pain.

I didn't need any pain relief. The only mild discomfort was shoulder pain caused by trapped air and peppermint tea fixed that.

The only other thing which surprised me was that our hospital has brought in blood thinning injections as routine. You self administer for 10 days so have to be used to sticking a needle in your own stomach. Not sure if your hospital will be the same.

I have to say mine was a bit uncomfortable as they struggled to get it in (I am a size 18). Then when she found the right spot it was fine.

It was like a mild tooth ache, dull pain not too bad at all.

I am having another on Tues and am not worried at all. Good luck.

Thank you very much.

Wow no pain afterwards - that would be amazing if I found that the same! I had a very difficult long labour with my dd and am suffering very badly with ante natal depression this time because of that, so gp and midwife have referred me for a c section with this baby. I'm seeing the consultant to book my date at the end of this month.

So the local that you get first, that's an injection in your back as well isn't it? (Silly question maybe!)

The things I'm most worried about are the spinal, the catheter (really don't like medical people doing things down there, massive phobia) and feeling like I'm going to split in half if I stand up afterwards... Hmmmm but reading threads this doesn't seem likely.

Plus I have cleaning OCD (I kid you not) and the thought of not being able to load or unload the dishwasher and washing machine for days fills me with dread... Although dh will be at home for two weeks with me!

Good luck with yours on tues littlepie :)

I had a long and awful labour first time round, with an 8hr 2nd stage, every intervention going and emcs. I had ptsd and pnd. The actual emcs was fine though, it was all the other stuff.

I had a long labour 2nd time round too but was very different for many different reasons and I'm mentally well. It was a world away from first time round. Calm, easy and I went in and came out laughing.

I've found cs recovery easy both times round. No problems loading or unloading a washing machine at any point. You do as much or as little as your body tells you to and for me that meant being back to normal v soon afterwards. I got up asap (within a couple of hours both times) and was moving around normally, albeit gingerly. The only thing I avoided both times was hoovering as it's really not good for you. It's also not wise to pick up and swing round a 4yo 5 days post cs (my wound reopened).

They put the catheter in once you're numb so you won't feel it. And if you ask, you won't even be told when they're doing it. I told them to tell me nothing about sticking suppositories places or any of that. DH told me what was happening in terms of the actual op (he stood and watched) and I felt v much in control (which was extremely important to me after the trauma of the first labour/delivery). A cs can be very empowering.

Can agree word for word with gogobananas - don't worry about the spinal!

Had EMCS after long labour - only issues I had were all to do with being absolutely knackered after no sleep for previous 40 hours! Actual op and spinal NO trouble or pain at all, and healed well. Imagine that ELCS would be no problem.

IME, it can sometimes be mildly uncomfortable but shouldn't be painful. Several people have said to me that the cold spray (antiseptic) beforehand is the worst bit - everybody jumps about a foot in the air

I had an elective CC 15 weeks ago under spinal anaesthetic. It was fantastic. I didn't feel a thing, not even my legs being moved when they catheterised me. The local anaesthetic they use just before they put the spinal needle in smarts a little and then you feel a small amount of pushing as the needle goes in. The anaesthetic took a matter of minutes.
The spinal wore off after about 3 hours I think and left me with pins and needles in my bottom.

Just to say that I found the spinal very very painful. Just to let you know. It was so very awful. And then after that not a moments pain. fab. The first elcs section I had, I even shouted "F*CK ME", really loudly, wehn she did the spinal. Followed by, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry". It really was that bad. But just remember, once that is over, there is no more pain, so if thats the worst bit, then I think thats something to be celebrated. Good luck.

Hi Loony, don't worry! I was similar to you, dreadful first labour, baby in posterior position, forceps, stitches, PND etc. I asked for a CS for my second baby, and the consultant agreed. It was a while ago now, eleven years, but it was a wonderful experience. The worst bit was walking into the theatre. I started shaking, nerves probably.

The epidural was fine, a bit uncomfortable, like an injection, but definitely not painful, and the feeling was only for a few seconds. They put the catheter in after that, so I didn't feel a thing. My anaethsthatist (sp?) was great, he chatted away about his children, which took my mind off what was happening! Whatever people say, it did not feel like someone was washing up inside me, it felt like something heavy was on my stomach, strange feeling, but not painful at all.

I bonded with this baby as soon as I saw her, and had no PND at all. I think I had morphine, and felt wonderful! When I stood up the next day, I felt a bit wobbly and weak, but ok. I can honestly say it was a good experience, far better than my dreadful first birth, so please don't worry. But, you will have to tackle your OCD and let others do the washing etc for a week or two!

Just to be different, hehe, though genuine! I found mine very uncomfortable, maybe I was thinking about it too much. Not painful, just a pretty horrible sensation, but to be fair I'm a bit queasy at things like that.

I'm having a section in 6 weeks as will be asking for an epidural this time, my spinal failed last time and I started feeling the pain of the operation so I had to have a general half way through.. I'm sure you will be fine. Good luck

Pins and needles lasted a couple of days.

I had elcs a couple of weeks ago and felt nothing as spinal went in. So much better than previous epidural for dc1 which I found very uncomfortable and which didn't work.

Keep talking to your anaesthetist, who will probably be standing behind your head. I felt slightly queasy during the op and thought it was nerves but as soon as I mentioned it he put something into my drip and it went instantly. I found the whole procedure a very strange but ultimately positive experience and would have no fear of doing it again.

Hey there

They give you a local
It is fine
Top tip is when anyone is giving you and injection / needle stuff, whatever you do don't look at it. Obviously you can't with the back one but the hand one etc.

I don't think it's silly at all I felt more nervous about some of the other bits than the actual cutting open bit with my elcs as well!!!

Emcs - straight in and painless
Elcs - Horrendously painful, they "missed" a few times and I had so much bruising I looked like a fucking dalmation.

I know exactly what went wrong the second time, one leg was off the table meaning my spine wasn't straight - I was trying to lift it back up but being 39 weeks pregnant and with spd and being held down (!) By the theatre staff proved quite difficult. :(

7 weeks on I still have a little pain.

Sickness during the op is due to the drop in your blood pressure caused by the spinal anaesthetic. I felt it about 5 minutes after the spinal but once the anaesthetist gives you something to raise your blood pressure the sickness wears off. Nerves will certainly make you feel a bit queasy too but there really is nothing to be nervous about. Having a section is one of the best decisions I've made.

oh dont worry I have had two, and I honestly cant remeber which makes me think it was ok.

My only problem was the drop in BP made me vomit and retch for ages , the first time the anaesthetist was lovely and sorted it out in seconds the second time a different one refused to give ma an anti sickness, even though I told him it may happen !! Yuk but its all worth it

It does hurt - momentarily - followed by a sensation of pressure but it is nothing compared with labour. Looking back now my csection was almost a pleasure