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Pregnancy

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Original poster

Is it spinal or epi for c sec?

22 replies

BendydickCuminsnatch · 31/07/2017 14:58

OK that epidural thread has freaked me out somewhat. Is a spinal much different to an epidural? Can you request a spinal instead of an epidural for c section? NHS website just says it will be one of the 2.

I had a spinal for stitching up after having DS and it was amazing! So if I can have one of those again, brill. Have always been completely grossed out by needles in the back but now I know a spinal is fine. Plus I was loopy from shock so that helped.

Epidural though still makes me want to faint, I'm not entirely sure why or even what it is - I believe the needle is much bigger and they leave something hanging out of your back? God I can barely type that without fainting.

Soooo basically, can I ask for a spinal? Is an epidural really that gross?

OP posts:

Original poster

BendydickCuminsnatch · 31/07/2017 14:58

P.S am having c section in Nov, hence the question.

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fishfingerSarnies · 31/07/2017 15:38

I always thought they were the same thing. I've had two sections one emergency one elective I think I had epidural for both?? off to google and see what the difference is.

GlitteryFluff · 31/07/2017 16:02

I think I had a spinal for my section.
I'm not sure what the difference is either. Hmm. Mine wasn't topped up - isn't an epidural top-up-able?

maamalady · 31/07/2017 16:37

I've had two sections - epidural for the first (EMCS), spinal for the second (ELCS). I couldn't tell the difference, to be honest. I had the epidural in while labouring with DC1, so perhaps that's why - they can add more anaesthetic for surgery if required. There is a very thin tube in your back, all taped down and you're numb anyway so can't feel it. They don't leave the needle in your back :)

lilyborderterrier · 31/07/2017 16:41

I've been today to plan my c section in a few weeks and was told it's a spinal.

scaredofthecity · 31/07/2017 16:43

A spinal is 'stronger ' but will start to wear off after about an hour or so. An epidural can be topped up, but the block is not always as good.
You would usually have a spinal for a CS but if it is predicted to be a bit difficult you may have a combined spinal and epidural. This means if the spinal wears off it can be topped up via the epidural.
If the spinal starts to wear off and you haven't got an epidural, don't worry as there are other forms of pain relief you can have!

Original poster

BendydickCuminsnatch · 31/07/2017 16:43

Thanks! Hmm. Apparently the spinal needle is much thinner (not that you can see it!), the epidural one is much larger so they can fit the tube through it. The thought of having a tube sticking out of my spine, I just can't deal with that!

But if I have to I'll find a way, haha I spose it's more likely to be spinal because they won't need the top-up function of the epidural.

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Mothervulva · 31/07/2017 16:45

I had a spinal the first time as I was going into theatre. It was an injection into my spine, whilst during the second labour epidural was a tube left in my spine as I was being induced.

I felt more numb with the spinal and I could feel pressure with the epidural, like when you're numb at the dentist and can't feel pain but can feel pressure. I was aware of the pressure of the baby being ready to be born and felt the cut of my episiotomy but not the pain of it.

You can have a c section with an epidural or a block, but I believe they use a spinal for planned ones?

I thought the epidural wore off more quickly after.

Original poster

BendydickCuminsnatch · 31/07/2017 16:45

Sorry x posts!

Yes my spinal wore off very quickly, I was able to walk as soon as I wanted to, didn't have to wait or anything.

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scaredofthecity · 31/07/2017 16:47

A spinal is a single shot injection into the CSF in your back. An epidural is more of an infusion of local anaesthetic. It doesn't go as deep as a spinal, but a small tube is left in your back to allow the infusion of local anaesthetic.

ladybunnikins · 31/07/2017 16:47

Most caesareans are done under spinal anaesthetic. They are only done under epidural top-up if you already have an epidural in (for labour) or if you have certain conditions that mean a slow epidural top-up is safer (e.g. achondroplasia, aortic stenosis). Some hospitals do a combined spinal and epidural for caesareans but you could probably ask to just have the spinal.

Original poster

BendydickCuminsnatch · 31/07/2017 16:47

So do they take the tube out of your back while you're still numb?

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CloserIAmToFine · 31/07/2017 17:08

I've had both and in terms of what's in your back you would never know the difference. The initial injection feels the same and after that you're numb and don't feel anything anyway.

Original poster

BendydickCuminsnatch · 31/07/2017 17:13

OK cool thanks for all the info! It's just the tube thing that really grosses me out. I guess it's irrelevant though given you're numb. As long as I can't feel them taking the tube out..... I'd rather just one injection :)

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MondieBee · 31/07/2017 17:16

I had an epidural during my first labour but it had 'moved' apparently by the time I went in for stitches so I then had to have a spinal despite the tube being in for the epidural still. You honestly can't feel it. It sounds bizarre but it's not like something jutting out you can lay down etc as normal.

However I had a spinal for my elective section recently and can't see why you wouldn't have that as they shouldn't need to top you up.

They are both tiny needles. I've had two lumbar punctures where they put a needle in that's big enough to actually draw out some csf

Original poster

BendydickCuminsnatch · 31/07/2017 17:20

Thanks Mondi. I can't think about lumbar punctures, sorry you've had to go through that! Twice! Gotta do what you gotta do I guess!:)

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DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 31/07/2017 17:26

I had an epi and I can't remember any issues at all apart from it taking along time to numb but that was because I had severe Pre Eclampsia and apparently it slowed everything down. I wasn't aware of anything and tbh compared to what a section actually involves the epi was insignificant.

It sounds like you're anxious and just focusing on one particular thing. x

Original poster

BendydickCuminsnatch · 31/07/2017 17:53

Hmm I'm not nervous about c section, I'd rather that than my previous 2-year plus (ongoing) recovery from vaginal birth. I guess I;d rather just stick to what I know i.e. spinal, plus super squeamish of spines plus needles.

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Merlanguis · 31/07/2017 18:14

I'm an anaesthetist and pregnant lady. In a nutshell, there are four options for a c-section.
1)Single shot spinal 2)Epidural 3)Combined spinal and epidural 4) General Anaesthesia.

There are specific reasons why your anaesthetist might choose one technique versus another but they will guide you through that before hand. Broadly speaking, the majority of medically well women undergoing an uncomplicated elective c-section will be offered a spinal from my experience.

I haven't read the thread you were talking about but please try not to let it worry you too much. I often meet women who are terrified at the idea of spinals/epidurals/the whole thing. Yes, there are risks and it is important to be aware of them, however your fears are probably much worse than the actual reality (as with most things). With an epidural, the tube that they leave in your back is small and made of a really flexible, soft material and you probably won't even notice it coming out. Best of luck!

maamalady · 31/07/2017 20:12

I don't remember the epidural coming out, so either I didn't feel it, didn't know it was happening, or was sufficiently distracted by newborn baby that I didn't notice. Or all three! On both occasions the needle was really no big deal (granted I was off my face on gas and air for the epidural), much less invasive feeling than I was expecting.

The section itself feels very odd - pulling and pushing and rummaging, but with no pain. Also in the case of DD2 a sudden silence followed by giggling as they broke my waters and amniotic fluid went everywhere, the surgical staff had very wet shoes...

WaitingTillJuly17 · 31/07/2017 20:26

I've had an epidural for a different surgery and you honestly don't notice the tube in your back. Also I totally freaked out when it was time to remove it (I hate anything to do with injections to the point I had to be sedated before my operation and canula removal makes me feel sick) but I can honestly say I couldn't feel the tube coming out! I think I'd rather an epidural in the hope I could be topped up for a few hours afterwards 😬 I definitely did NOT like it once they stopped the fentanyl!

Sleepthief84 · 31/07/2017 20:52

I had an epidural with DD. I remember the most unpleasant thing about having it put in was having to hold very still during agonising drop induced contractions! It was a sharp scratch and that was it, really nothing. I pressed that little top up button every time it beeped to tell me I could have more drugs 😂. I didn't have it removed until the following day, I could feel everything by then and I just leaned forward and the nurse whipped it out. Didn't feel a thing. I've got to have a ELCS next time due to the complications with my first and just assumed I'd have another epidural, interesting to know the other options.

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