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Childbirth

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

Original poster

How painful is the spinal anaesthetic?

17 replies

Eagtess3 · 20/01/2023 18:35

Hi everyone I’m just waiting on a date for my C-section which is due in just under a month.
everythjngs signed and ready . I had an emergency section with my last baby but have opted for elective this time. The whole process doesn’t scare me apart from the needle in my back. How much does it hurt? Thanks in advance

OP posts:
koalab · 20/01/2023 18:37

They numb it so it doesn't hurt. I remember feeling like a pressure but not necessarily pain.

QuinkWashable · 20/01/2023 18:37

I don't remember feeling it at all - I was a bit distracted at the time, so I don't know if they used numbing cream, or if it's just painless!

I've had an epidural, and a straight spinal block, and I don't remember the epi at all, and all I remember from the spinal was a really weird feeling like my bum (as in the cheeks) were being filled with hot water - that's the best description - a heat spreading through my lower back

Albgo · 20/01/2023 18:37

Nope, shouldn't hurt at all. Didn't for me. Smile

Elvira2000 · 20/01/2023 18:37

When i had it, they numbed the area. So it didn't really hurt. But if you need it, you won't care about the needle. Good luck :-)

Mydogatemypurse · 20/01/2023 18:37

You won't feel it

Yummymummy2020 · 20/01/2023 18:38

I have had two and it was absolutely fine! Didn’t find it painful at all on either. They got it straight away both times too and it worked wonderfully!

Twistyripple · 20/01/2023 18:39

HONESTLY NOT BAD!!!

I was so so worried about this and when it came to it I had an emergency section which meant having a spinal. It was number prior and from there i didn't feel a thing, no pressure or anything! I was genuinely shocked it was in and done 😁

Original poster
Eagtess3 · 20/01/2023 18:43

Thankyou so much for all your replies that’s out me at so much ease as that was the only thing I was unsure of as I was under general anaestic for my emergency x

OP posts:
MummyJ36 · 20/01/2023 21:01

They give you some local anaesthetic first which feels like a small pinprick. All I felt after they was pressure. It‘a not particularly comfortable but it’s not painful and it’s actually over with pretty quickly. I remember laying down on the operating table and looking up and thinking “well that’s done and dusted!”
I worried about my section and the spinal for a solid week beforehand, cried loads, sleepless nights etc. and the whole thing was over with in 45 mins!! Please don’t let it play on your mind. The spinal doesn’t take long to take effect either, I assumed I’d freak out but I didn’t at all. Everyone was so nice and it all felt very calm and normal.

emma1103 · 20/01/2023 21:06

I can't remember any pain at all

20viona · 20/01/2023 21:38

It's fine

PopsicleHustler · 21/01/2023 09:57

I had it two weeks ago and it pinched a little but and I moved so it actually hurt my legs as well. Then after it was numb, however almost 3 weeks on, I still feel numb at the lower part of my back.

Ostryga · 21/01/2023 10:02

I had a lumbar puncture more recently than an epi and the anaesthetic barely hurt. That was what I was most worried about as well. It can feel a bit weird when they put the spinal needle in - not painful but a bit zingy (the only way I can think to describe it) but honestly it’s over so so quickly.

welshweasel · 21/01/2023 10:02

I found the cannula in my hand hurt more than the spinal! It's really not bad at all.

strawberry2017 · 21/01/2023 10:17

I literally have no recollection of it at all. I'm sure I probably felt something but I think there's so many distractions going on, your mind is on so many things that I don't think you really 100% notice it.
Good luck x

MorningMoaner · 21/01/2023 10:35

Not a section, but I had a spinal for removal of my placenta and repair of a tear and it was fine. As others have said, the local anaesthetic stung for a few seconds and then I just had a feeling of pressure. The only problem I had was getting into the position the anaesthetist wanted me in. Initially they tried to get me to sit up kind of hugging a pillow but that was too painful for me (I tore quite badly) so they did it with me lying on my side instead. I'm sure that was just because of my particular circumstances though, and the sitting position would have been fine if I'd not had the tear. Hope it all goes well OP, try not to worry, its not as bad as you're probably thinking.

Heath2330 · 26/01/2023 12:46

They give you local anaesthetic in your back before the spinal needle that's just a little pinch like having your bloods done or a cannula then you don't feel the spinal just a bit of pressure once it's in at first I found the strangest thing was the feeling of numbness it's very weird like the numbness after you've had pins and needles

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