Spinal Block and Epidural - What's the Difference??

[flopsy1974]

I hear these being talked about alot but don't actually know what the difference is?? I'm a little confused
Can anyone explain.

An epidural is normally a continuous infusion, sometimes rather than an infusion the access is left (catheter tube into the epidural space) so a top up can be given.

The spinal is a one off dose.

The spinal is shorter lasting and will normally be used for sections. Epidurals are used for labour as you don't know how long you need it to be effective for. I believe they go in a slightly different space. There is no difference in pain/sensation/insertion as far as you're concerend though.

tHATs how it is at the hospital I work at anyway.

I'm interested in this as I've had both and my spinal was incredibly dense and I couldn't feel my legs at all. With the epidural I could wiggle my toes, move my legs etc and after about 4 hours I could feel everything - I wonder if epidurals are generally less dense than spinals or if my epidural was just a total dud (wasn't a mobile epidural).

Hi I have had both in the last 6 months! I had a spinal when I broke my ankle (while pregnant) in three places & had to have an op on it to put pins & plates in both sides. I couldnt feel anything or move my legs at all.
I had an epidural while having DS2 three months ago - I couldnt get out of bed but I could move around and feel my legs still though they felt heavy. This wore off after a couple of hours so I had a top up which didnt really work, so I had gas & air for the last hour or two but it was still taking the edge off the pain.
The procedure is basically the same but the spinal doesnt wear off like the epidural so is much stronger pain relief

Same in terms of effect - they block the pain. Spinals tend to be used for Csection, as there is a clearer time scale for the op, and the spinal works as a single dose. Whereas for women who opt for epidural for labour pains, there is no clear time scale and they may want to be given further doses.

what stripey said, basically

a spinal will be used for planned sections or emergecny sections where no epidural has been sited alreayd and there is time to give a spinal, rather than a general

epidurals are used in established labour and can also be recommended for women who have high BP as they do lower your BP

with an epidural , there are pros and cons for labour... for me, the biggest con is that you are rendered pretty much immobile and even with a mobile epi, you are not really able to get up and walk . and being active and upright is really hlepful

the biggest pro is that if your labour is long, the epi can help you to relax or even sleep to regain energy and then you don't have to have it topped up ,so that you can feel when to push

it's worth reading up about them, they do take your labour into a different arena, all otehr pain rlief options can be given by a MW, but an epi requires an anesthatist, you will also have to have a drip, so your mobility is going to be restricted

Another con of epidurals that doesn't seem to be mentioned often in the usual handouts is that they may not work properly, so you can be still feeling the pain but unable to move around. Doesn't happen often but it is possible.