Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Childbirth

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

Flip

Original poster

Does an epidural/spinal block hurt?

24 replies

butterfly92 · 16/09/2016 20:31

I am booked to have a cesarean section next month and I am terrified of the spinal thingy they put in to numb you from the waist down! I am worried about whether it will paralyse me permanently or cause issues but mostly worried about how bad it will hurt!! Is it a painless procedure?

OP posts:

dementedma · 16/09/2016 20:33

The last one I had was 14 years ago and I don't remember it hurting particularly

tabulahrasa · 16/09/2016 20:35

No, you feel the first injection, but that's just a normal injection, then once that's worked it just feels like pressure on your back.

Saltlake · 16/09/2016 20:36

No. Minor sting, but less uncomfortable than a cannula.

originalusernamefail · 16/09/2016 20:36

I had mine put in in labour so my mind was on other things . However I didn't feel it going in, only the blessed relief when they switched it on !

Littleelffriend · 16/09/2016 20:36

Nope no pain

TheImprobableGirl · 16/09/2016 20:37

No pain here either!

Original poster

butterfly92 · 16/09/2016 20:37

Thanks all ! And does the numbing injection go straight into the middle of your back?

OP posts:

user1471453601 · 16/09/2016 20:37

In my experience the epidural was totally painless. Mind you, I'd had a couple of diazepam before hand! Mine was for an operation to remove a lung tumour. The Drs preferred an epidural for post operation pain relief, rather than morphine, as it enabled me to get up and about quicker. I did have a general anaesthetic too, of course!

Alex83 · 16/09/2016 20:38

I've had one EMCS and one ELCS (just a few months ago) and the epidural really doesn't hurt at all. They numb the area before they do the epidural needle so you just feel a bit of pressure. It's just the thought of it that's unpleasant, that's all. Really no need to worry!

Clickncollect · 16/09/2016 20:39

I had a c section 13 weeks ago and they sprayed my back with a freezing cold spray first which I found more uncomfortable than the injection going in, which I barely felt!

AStreetcarNamedBob · 16/09/2016 20:39

It's fine. There is just a normal injection which numbs it and then you only feel them pushing and pulling to put the block in. No pain.

user1471461436 · 16/09/2016 20:43

Dont worry about, i have had 2. I had back ache after but i did during pregnancy and my babies were both back to back so i may have had it anyway. If i were to have one again i would invest in one of those baby feeding cushions with the back support (are they called boppy?) from the beginning as i bought one a while later and it really made a difference when trying to get comfortable on the settes and in bed. I even slept on it so it wasnt as much of an effort to raiae myself up to go to the loo in the night after my section

Lules · 16/09/2016 20:44

No, it doesn't hurt. I did find it difficult to stay still when they put it in but I was in labour! The weirdest bit about a c section is the tugging when they get the baby out but that doesn't hurt at all, it's just very strange.

MadrigalElectromotive · 16/09/2016 20:44

The normal injection just feels like a scratch on the skin on your back. I had no pain when they did the spinal. The cannula being put in was much worse! Please try not to worry - it really isn't a terrible experience.

user1471461436 · 16/09/2016 20:45

Do not worry about the caesarean at all though, its bizaree but its quick!

sunnydayinmay · 16/09/2016 20:47

I was in labour, so it was fine, but the cannula is definitely more sore.

Phwoggy · 16/09/2016 20:51

I had both this week, either were fine in that you get a local first so with the epidural you just feel them putting the cannula in but the spinal was just one more injection. I hated the total numbing of the spinal however.

MartinRohdesBellybuttonFluff · 16/09/2016 20:57

Take nice deep breaths continuously throughout the procedure and relax as best as you can. I found yogic breathing great for the four spinals I've had.

Keep your mind on the end result!

PunkrockerGirl · 16/09/2016 20:57

No, I've had an epidural for giving birth and an epidural and spinal block for a total knee replacement. Neither hurt at all and no after effects.
Good luck, the theatre staff are brilliant at reassuring you and it'll all be over very quickly. Then you'll have your beautiful baby!

Nachoo · 16/09/2016 21:01

Had epidural in labour before having forceps. The pressure and thought of the spinal was way worse than it actually happening. It didn't hurt 😊 Agree with PP, having the cannula hurt a lot more.

You'll be fine 😊

ArcticMumkey · 16/09/2016 21:02

No. I has an elcs in January and all I remember is feeling a slight hot tingly feeling as it started to work. The whole procedure was quick, painless and amazing and I'll do it again next time without hesitation.
Good luck.

SittingAround1 · 16/09/2016 21:06

No it doesn't hurt. I think they're very controlled these days about the doses. But you can speak to the anaesthetist beforehand about any worries. I didn't have any after effects at all.

5madthings · 16/09/2016 21:07

I am going to go against the grain and say that it can hurt

My ds is five months, I ended up with emcs, and first they tried s spinal which didn't totally numb me, then an epidural which wore off during surgery...

Anyway when trying to place the spinal and epidural I had shooting pains in my back and down my legs. But I told the anaesthetist and she sorted it. I was also very unusual, they came to De brief me afterwards and said I would need s general for any future surgery, I replied that I am not planning any more surgery!

They spray and numb and the injection, needle etc doesn't hurt but they can touch a nerve but it's short and more like an electric shock treatment. They let me have gas and air whilst doing it or they will give you pain relief or even something for your nerves if you explain to them. Just talk to them they will 100% talk you through it and reassure you etc.

Even mine which was an emergency they made sure I was on and explained everything etc. And I was super unlucky that the spinal and the epidural didn't work, the morphine they gave me when the epidural stopped working was good. But morphine and gas and air during surgery.... Doesn't quite cut it. I have had five easy natural births before this one, with no pain relief including an 11lb baby in birth pool so I can deal with pain.

Chinks123 · 16/09/2016 21:11

I had a spinal block after delivering DD due to complications and I don't remember it hurting. I definitely found it more comfortable than the cannula anyway.

Flip