[~*rach*~]

I had an epidural the first time because I labored. I also had Horners syndrome which is very scary! If I have a elective c-section this time will I get a spinal instead or does it just depend on the Dr and hospital? I am kinda scared of the spinal because it says you are numb from the chest down. I am scared I am going to panic during the c-section and if I can't feel my chest I may really panic. I have also heard people say they have had spinal headaches from them. This is just one of the 50 questions I have on my list for my next appointment! LOL! I feel like I have more questions this time around!

[Live4Love]

That is a good question to ask your OB. I had a spinal block done with my c-section, since I found out I'd need on at my OB's office and was scheduled to have it done early the next morning. I asked my OB if I'd be getting an epidural and he said no, a spinal block. His reasoning was that he said spinal blocks are more accurate and dependable with numbing the area than an epidural. Now... I have NO IDEA if that is just his opinion and therefore his preference as an OB, or if that's a general understanding that most OBs believe??

Also... I thought you could get a spinal headache from both an epidural and a spinal block? I didn't think that there were more incidences of spinal headache with a spinal block than an epidural. I had a friend who delivered vaginally with an epidural and she got an awfully painful spinal headache from it. She couldn't even life her head or have the lights on in the room. She got an epidural blood patch, which she said helped a lot.

[BensMom]

Yes, you can get a spinal headache from ANY prick to the spine... epi/spinal, or just drawing fluid for testing. Spinals are more accurate because they're a shot. Once the medicine is in place, it's in place. An epi is a catheter. If the catheter gets bumped or something blocks the line, it'll stop working right. That's why they're not as reliable. Spinals are also much faster. Some people are numbed a little higher than others just because of the way their body reacts and because of where the doc was able to find adequate space to place the block. At first, I felt as if I wasn't breathing. I WAS BREATHING, though. They monitor your stats the entire time, so it's not like they'll let you suffocate. (LOL) You just can't feel yourself breathing because your chest is numb. That's a minor complication that doesn't happen to many people, and it only lasts a few minutes. It's not harmful.

Relax. You'll be fine no matter what you decide together!

I think it depends on the doc. I had a spinal with th 2nd and an epi with my first because I was also in labor. Honestly I didn't notice much difference other than it took awhile to wear off.

[ldovey83]

I had a spinal with my son but my csection was also a planned csection since my son was breech.. To me from what i heard the spinal is alot better. I had no problems and to me it seemed so much easier.. They gave me the spinal and it was almost instantly that i started going numb.. I didn't have a problem with not feeling my chest but they always put oxygen on you at my hospital.... The only thing I didn't like was when it finally wore off i got really itchy but that is a common feeling when something goes numb and they gave me benadryl to help with that.. Either way ask your Dr your questions so you feel better about it, but trust me you are going to be fine... Spinals and Epidurals are basically the same thing and have the same risks... Just one is a shot in the spin and one is the cathiter.. That's all....

[meli.ann]

I had a spinal also, but I don't remember knowing that I was numb from the chest down. I think I was too busy concentrating on everything else that was going on.

[grunig]

I have had both and actually preferred the Epi. The spinal block wasn't instant for me and it took them about 4 attempts to get me completely numb. If the last attempt hadn't worked they were going to put me under. I think it completely depends on your own body chemistry though so what happens to one person will most likely not happen to the next. KWIM?

[Isca]

I had a spinal block, but from what I was told after (I was pretty much out of it during the whole labour thing, I only remember bits and pieces) that the spinal was done because it worked quicker than the epi.

I got a spinal headache because they nicked the spine and it was very painful. I went back a couple days after I was released and had it patched. Needles don't really bother me, but because they couldn't get an IV in through my arms, hands, they ended up going through my neck. Which was a little bit freaky because I could not see what they were doing.

Once the patch was done, the headaches were gone and I felt great

[SamuelsMommy]

It definately depends on your dr. I had a spinal with my unplanned c/s because I didn't have an epi. I think spinal is the norm though, at least from what the ladies around here have reported. Just talk to your OB and you will get your questions answered.

[Mod-LilSunshine]

I had a spinal with my emergency c/s. I was nervous about side effects and not being able to feel my legs...but I did ok.

[dream2bemommy22]

you are numb, but that doesnt mean you cant feel pressure from the spinal. My daughter was stuck in my ribs, for 10 minutes three nurses and the doctor pulled and stretched my skin, and let me tell you, i felt it! It felt like so much pressure! but it wasnt painful.

I loved my spinal, i was so relaxed! the spinal wears off in a few hours, i got mine at 1130 and by 3pm, i was getting feeling back.

I got morphine with my spinal, so i was loopy, and the anastesialogist gave me something to help me sleep as they were sewing me up.

[~Debbie~]

With Isaac, I was under general. They almost lost him, and it was a very traumatic time for us. His apgar was a 1/10. He had a slight hb but that was it.

With Noah, I had a spinal. I was nervous about that, but most of my anxiety was revolving around losing another child. The spinal went fine, and I was so focused on if Noah was okay that everything else seemed like a minor worry.