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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

If you had a planned C section...

21 replies

stickybean · 12/03/2013 17:05

How painful was getting the epidural / spinal?
I've had 2 EMCSs but was in full blown labour by the time I got the epidural. You could probably have cut my leg off at that point and i wouldn't have noticed.

I am due to have a planned c section with this baby and was wondering if getting the anesthetic is really painful when you don't have labour pains to distract you.

OP posts:

pipsy76 · 12/03/2013 17:24

My first DS when I had been induced for 36hrs it took an hour and 8 attempts for 2 different anaethetists (sp?) to site my epidural, I was DREADING my elective for DS2 but in the nice calm environment of the anaesthetic room they sited the cannula and epidural seemingly painlessly first try, I was amazed and very pleased!

Good luck you'll be fine!

HumphreyCobbler · 12/03/2013 17:25

I can't remember if it hurt - so this probably means it didn't!

pipsy76 · 12/03/2013 17:26

It was like someone pressing hard on your spine which the anaethetist did first time to demonstrate the sensation with his fingers then second time for real

Panzee · 12/03/2013 17:26

Didn't feel a thing. They helped me sit properly so I wouldn't.

Jemma1111 · 12/03/2013 17:30

I've had two planned c-sections and honestly the epidurals were no problem at all with either .
The only thing I felt was a slight uncomfortable feeling and some pressure and if I was to go through it all again I wouldn't be worried in the slightest .

C0smos · 12/03/2013 17:34

Honestly can't even remember so it can't have hurt much if at all, now trying to get out of bed the morning after csection that pain I will remember for a very long time....

BoyMeetsWorld · 12/03/2013 17:36

Is the pain after a C section far worse then than after vg birth?

Original poster

stickybean · 12/03/2013 17:39

Thank you all! Very reassuring responses. I'll need something else to stress about now.

OP posts:

SissySpacekAteMyHamster · 12/03/2013 17:39

Not painful at all. Was a bit hard work having to sort of bend over in sitting position with a huge stomach, but no pain that I can remember.

(My first section was planned, second and third were both emergency.)

Damash12 · 12/03/2013 18:34

2 ELCS, the last was 7 weeks ago and was only worse cos I knew what to expect. I did jump as it felt like a punch to the back but really no worse than any injection and I think the cold solution they put on first is worse as it's bloody freezing. All in all the only thing to think about is after 10mins of that injection you get to see your gorgeous baby. And 7 weeks down the line I can hardly remember the pain and would go it again so it can't be that bad! Good luck and enjoy!

QTPie · 12/03/2013 18:42

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

OddFrog · 12/03/2013 20:00

Not painful at all. Curl forwards as far as you can, Take a deep breath and let it out slowly, try to relax. Mine was a quick nip like getting bloods done, then pressure, then a spreading warmth, then a rush to get my legs up on to the table as it took effect. Fwiw, the csection scar area was uncomfortable for about a week after (and again at about 4 weeks as I overdid it a bit!) but never so bad that a paracetamol didn't help! Enjoy your baby!

Stropzilla · 12/03/2013 20:03

Nope not painful. I say that as someone whose anaesthetist took 5 attempts to get it in the right place!

StateofConfusion · 12/03/2013 20:04

I've had 3 elcs, last one almost 12wks ago. The anesthetist was a magician i swear i didn't feel a thing and it was done in seconds, me and dp were

MadeinMarch · 12/03/2013 20:05

Not very painful. They had trouble getting mine in the right place but it still only felt a bit scratchy/pinchy.

About 1 millionth of the pain of labour (I've done both)!

phlebas · 12/03/2013 20:06

I've had 1 epidural & 3 spinals & none of them were painful. It stings a bit when the local goes in & with the epidural I had a weird jolt going down my leg but otherwise it was just a bit of painless poking.

herethereandeverywhere · 12/03/2013 20:37

Like getting bloods taken during pg, that needle feeling - then a bit of a dull ache as they pushed the needle in. I was so happy about having DD2 and the birth I wanted for her (ELCS) I floated into the theatre and breezed through the whole process.

If you've experienced the pain of labour then epidural procedure is nothing - nada - easy-peasy!

Oh, you're having a lovely little baby Lucky you!

eversomuch · 14/03/2013 13:28

First birth emcs the epidural was hell. Took six tries and I heard the cartilage in my back crunching every time.

Second birth elcs an absolute dream. I'm still a little in love with the anesthetist who did it. I hardly felt a thing. And I felt nothing when he put the IV in my hand, another improvement over the first time.

Beatrixpotty · 14/03/2013 16:34

Just had 3rd ELCS,spinal was almost painless..the cannula going into the hand was worse but even that was nothing to worry about,no worse than a blood test .

rainrainandmorerain · 14/03/2013 19:33

Some good descriptions here - my spinal was SO much easier than I was expecting - some heavy pressure is all I can remember. I've had injections at the dentist that I would say were painful and unpleasant sensations, and the spinal was honestly nothing in comparison. i thought - 'that's IT?!' - and then got distracted by the odd but entirely painless sensation of warmth spreading down my legs as the anaesthetic took effect.

fwiw, I had several failed lumbar punctures when I had meningitis, and those were awful. So it's not like I'm especially tough with needles and backs etc.

cjbk1 · 14/03/2013 19:51

just to answer boymeetsworld I wouldn't say far worse but after the first week or so you're still very 'aware' of your tummy same as you're aware of your bits after a vb
hope I'm not flamed
it took quite a few attempts with my spinal so I experienced most of the sensations others have described but during the surgery i didn't even feel the 'tugging' or 'washing up' iv heard about x

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