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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Has anyone had any kind of sedation / meds before a spinal?

24 replies

TammySwansonTwo · 31/05/2018 16:53

My twins were born by emcs and the spinal one of the worst experiences of my life. I’m terrified of needles and it took 7 attempts to get it in, two of which felt like my leg had been torn off.

We are considering another baby but I cannot go through that again while fully aware. High chance of needing another section for various reasons (mainly tokophobia and birth trauma which I tried unsuccessfully to battle last time).

Is there anything they can do to help, even gas and air? Really wouldn’t want a general unless it was crucial.

OP posts:
flumpybear · 31/05/2018 17:03

I used gas and air for my first epidural during labour which turned to be EMCS - with second I had a local prior to the spinal and it was ok

Speak to the anaesthetist and see if you can chat to the consultant beforehand / ask MW to enquire I'm sure there are
Things they can offer

sirlee66 · 31/05/2018 17:05

They injected me with a local anaesthetic (i think!) Which numbed the area before my epidural - I thought that was standard?

scaredofthecity · 31/05/2018 17:12

I'd be insisting that it was done by a senior reg or a consultant only, not a trainee.

It's unlikely you'd be given any sedative as it will pass to the baby, but g&a will probably be an option. It all depends on trust policy and anaethetist preferences.

Please don't let it put you off having another child though, anaethetists are generally a pretty nice bunch and they'll do all they can to make you feel comfortable. (I work with them!)

Original poster
TammySwansonTwo · 31/05/2018 17:22

I’ve had many surgeries and I have found anaesthetists to be genuinely lovely.

Oh yes, they did give locals - before each attempt, since they have to move to a new spot, so I had 14 needles in my back in total which as a needlephobe is something I never thought I would say - I found the locals almost as bad as the spinal block needles so it wasn’t much comfort!

the only reason I didn’t have a general when they offered is because one of my twins wasn’t moving and I was terrified of what a GA would do to him. Looking back I think that was the right call but it has left me unable to handle even blood tests etc when I’d finally been able to manage those (I didn’t have my blood clotting injections once I went home as I couldn’t let my DH near me with one).

I’ve had gas and air for procedures before (arterial blood sample for example) and it did help. Although I remember when I had my spinal they asked me whether I’d had any and that made me think they wouldn’t allow it if I had?

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Smurfybubbles · 31/05/2018 17:24

I had a freezing cold spray put on my back before the local I only felt a slight sting as it was injected. Could you check if they have that?

Original poster
TammySwansonTwo · 31/05/2018 17:36

This will sound really weird but it’s not the pain on the skin that’s a problem - it’s the pushing sensation as it goes in, just thinking about it makes me feel sick! I don’t find topical stuff really helps for that reason. I have read that applying ice to the skin elsewhere while injections happen can reduce the pain / sensation signals. Maybe they’d let me go in with a bag of ice... or hit me over the head with a mallet 😂

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midmidlifecrisis · 31/05/2018 17:45

They let me have gas and air when I had a spinal because I was about to have a panic attack. I told them it was that or I'd potentially faint. They happily obliged in the end (although did look at me a bit Confused)

Original poster
TammySwansonTwo · 31/05/2018 18:21

Well that’s good to know. I think just that would help me - have used it on a few occasions and I think the distraction and focus on breathing is just as useful as the effects.

I was literally screaming out swear words and then apologising profusely every time, in between hysterical crying. I felt so sorry for the staff but I have never been so scared in my life and I completely lost control. Awful.

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tethersend · 31/05/2018 18:30

OP, the exact same thing happened to me- 8 attempts with DD1’s ELCS.

With DD2, I made sure that I said all the way through how anxious I was about the spinal, and someone senior was there to do it. I was still shaking with fear, so he offered me a ‘gin and tonic’ which I readily accepted. It was some sort of mild sedative which was LOVELY. The spinal then went in first time and I was fine for the birth.

Good luck, I literally feel your pain Grin

Sushirolls · 31/05/2018 18:32

My DD has a consultation with an anaesthetist last week to discuss things in the event she would need a section as she's unable to have a spinal/epidural. They will not do sedation when you're Pg as it's not safe (she's had a lot of procedures in the past & is extremely needle phobic, so has always had sedation first). X

itchyknees · 31/05/2018 18:35

I had a spinal block with my first. Apparently they’re easier to site and there was only one injection. Then the lovely anaesthetist gave me something in my drip to calm me down, as I told her I was going to run off and come back when it was over! Blush

Second delivery was epidural, far more faffing getting it in.

Original poster
TammySwansonTwo · 31/05/2018 18:36

I don’t mean full on sedation, I just mean some sort of pre-med drug as tether mentioned. I mean I know some painkillers used in birth can pass to the baby too but they still use them.

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Original poster
TammySwansonTwo · 31/05/2018 18:38

If spinals are easier to site then I’m screwed if I need an epidural... 😳

The anaesthetist said that the needles were literally bending as they tried to get them in - in the end they did get the most senior person in get it in, and he said he had to go in at an unusual angle to get it in. They asked me I had been doing lots of Pilates (ha! But now I will never do Pilates during pregnancy!)

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chloechloe · 31/05/2018 19:17

I had an EMCS with my first and the anaethetist definitely gave me something to calm me down but I don't know what. It all happened so fast that my entire body was shaking in shock as they tried to give me a spinal, despite me doing my best to keep calm. I had the assistant obstetrician and my DH both trying to keep me still.

So definitely ask your consultant what your options are. I am a little bit regretful as the procedure is quite a blur now in my mind, but I know it was the right thing. After what you've been through I'm sure they'll be able to give you some options. Please don't let it put you off having another one!

I can also recommend hypnobirthing even if you are likely to have an ELCS.

SockQueen · 31/05/2018 19:37

Most anaesthetists would be ok with you having gas & air for a spinal but not anything more than that. What I would add is that doing a spinal for an ELCS is often easier than in an emergency, especially if the woman is in labour and you're trying to site it in between contractions, she's struggling to stay still etc. So while it's sensible to ask for someone senior to do it, it's not a definite that it would be difficult again!

Sushirolls · 31/05/2018 19:50

I hope things work out as you hope them to @TammySwansonTwo Flowers

My DD is extremely needle phobic so has always needed a little sedation to knock her out enough to get a cannula in. The anaesthetist said no sedation in any form. My DD is going to sign a permission form that they can pin her down in an emergency, to get a cannula in for GA if she needs a section. Hopefully my DGS will be born with just gas & air 🤞

The pre med "drink" wasn't mentioned, so I will ask about that at her next appt.

Original poster
TammySwansonTwo · 31/05/2018 20:32

I wasn’t actually in labour when I had mine so I can’t even blame that - it was a stressful situation (one twin not moving and with a static heart rate) but not extremely rushed, so I think I may just have a weird back 😂

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Original poster
TammySwansonTwo · 31/05/2018 20:35

chloe if it helps, I didn’t have any sedation or anything and my emcs was still a complete blur, don’t remember much at all after they started. I think your body goes into shock, my bp crashed, nausea meds given, pain relief given... I was really out of it!

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chloechloe · 31/05/2018 21:39

Thanks tammy. Sounds like you went through a lot, I'm sure things will go a lot more smoothly next time, especially if you go down the ELCS route, as the whole set up will be much calmer.

Bluebirdsky · 31/05/2018 22:01

I am not trying to be negative just realistic with you and to be honest nothing will get rid of that pushing sensation as it goes in, but I am sure thatthey would give you gas & air if you thought it would help.
The worse thing you can do is tense up; which it sounds to me like you would have done if you were that distressed, as this will make it much harder for them to do.
It would be a good idea to try and learn some hypnobirthing and relaxation techniques to try and help you not tense up which will ultimately make it quicker and easier to do.

clumsyduck · 31/05/2018 22:06

Oh I don't know about sedative during labour , I had spinal with dcs and didn't even feel them go in . I have lumbar epidurals now for a prolapsed disc and even with the numbing injection the sensation of it going in feels so weird - like a bolt of lightening going down my leg !! It doesn't always go in right first time either so then I'm bracing for the next try . Arghhh So Iv no advice sorry but I understand what you mean !!

gryffen · 31/05/2018 23:11

Hi lass

I have IIH so I get a lumbar puncture every 2 months to lower the pressure in the spine to stop the headaches - totally get what feeling you mean as it takes them about 4 tries to get it in and then if they hit bone or a nerve then it's the oddest sensation ever.

I would defo speak to a consultant who could set up a meeting with the anethestist and organise solution for you - GA maybe it but other options too.

I've had 6 lumbar since August so I totally sympathise.

Original poster
TammySwansonTwo · 01/06/2018 07:09

Oh gryffen, that’s just awful. A friend had IIH in pregnancy so I have some idea of what hell you are going though, and I can’t even imagine needing an LP so often.

It’s difficult as I found the consultants so dismissive last time, I’m scared to get pregnant before I’ve spoken to someone but obviously that’s not possible!

I find it a bit strange they’d be happier to give you a GA than some form of sedative - maybe it’s because it’s harder to get you to comply and stay still while administering?

I know there’s no way around the pushing feeling, I do think gas and air could help as it has helped with other things before (admittedly less terrifying things!)

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midmidlifecrisis · 05/06/2018 16:53

I had gas and air when I had my spinal for a perineum repair. I was so frightened and nearly had a panic attack, and they pretty much threw it at me to make me stop crying and hyperventilating Blush I actually have no recollection of them doing the spinal, just laughing and making jokes with them. Gas and air makes me fearless Grin

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