Hi ladies. Tomorrow I am going in for my first PLANNED C-section. My first child I was able to vaginally deliver, my second was an emergency C-section (after two days of laboring with no medication!) and tomorrow we are having a planned C-section (I wanted to VBAC, but am trusting my doctor who has said that it would be safer to C-section her). But, the question is NOT about VBAC vs V-section!
When I had my second son I got an epidural after laboring for almost 2 days. I have to say, THAT was more painful to me than labor ever was. yes, a couple of minutes after the epidural was administered I couldn't feel anything, but actually GETTING the epidural had me yelping in pain. My husband left the room (he didn't like seeing me in pain and wanted to punch the guy! lol) while my mom stayed with me. Here's the thing though...when we were talking about all the pre-op stuff my OB told me that when I come in the anestesiologist (totally spelled WRONG) is going to administer the spinal (don't know what the difference is between that and an epidural...both big needles in my back!) but my husband can't be there. Just me, in a steril room, with nurses and an anestesiologist that I have never met!!! Freaks me out!!
So, if you have had an epidural while in labor and then a spinal in anticipation of C-section...did they hurt the same? I mean, since my body is not laboring will it be more comfortable to get the spinal? Just freakin' out a little!!!
Thanks moms!
L.
I don't have any advice but couldn't read without posting. Congrats on the new bundle and good luck!
I have had 2 C-sections and 2 spinals, and they are no fun. Never had an epidural so I can't compare. They have you sit on the edge of the table with your feet hanging over and do it, with me it takes more than one try because I have scoliosis. They have always had a nurse to stand in front of me, you hunch over (think bad posture) and I always bite the blanket and usually tear up (it's very painful not going to lie) and hug the nurse tight so I don't jump. But have no fear, it's instant. Once you are told you lay back down on the table you can't move, they have to help you get your legs up there! With a spinal you are numb up to your chest, the only movement you have is your arms and neck/head. It can be scary because it sometimes feels like you arent breathing, had that happen more than once.
I've had two epidurals while in labor and neither hurt more than getting a shot. Very brief, cold pain and then gone, and then bliss. Labor hurt far more than an epidural. Not sure how a spinal feels, but I wouldn't fear an epidural. So much depends on the anesthesiologist and you may have had a dud last time around. First time, I was numbed so I felt nothing (wonderful!), although I recall it took a couple tries to get it right. Second time around, it wasn't as strong but still helped considerably. Your experiences can be very different with each baby.
They can't have your husband in the room for whatever legal/medical reasons but the nurses will be comforting you and it will be over in two minutes and then you get to meet your baby! The needle will be the easy part - the hard part will be juggling three children! :) You will do great.
I had an epidural with my first. ( not by choice, but that is another story) they missed three times, and finally got it in the the fourth time!!! Honestly, I think was most painful was trying to stay still while having a contraction and hunching over. The numbing solution felt close to a bee sting and by the fourth try, my whole back was numb. I think what helped, was that I asked the anesthesiologist ( sp?) for extra numbing solution before she administered the needle, and she agreed. I am not a fan of needles at all!!!! I haven't gotten a spinal before, but from asking friends, they say it's not as bad. They say that communicating with nurses and doctors helped alot and trying to stay calm and still. Hope everything goes well. Be positive and communicate with the hospital staff. The more support the better. Once u get over this hurdle, you will soon see your precious gift and the pain will be part of the past. Blessings to you and your family :)
Hi L.,
I can't relate to the c-section...But I do have 3 kids, all of which I had an epidural with. My husband wasn't allowed in the room with my first, just me, the dr. and the nurses. They do it to avoid any distractions, and my dr. also said that many many get queasy with the needle and what not, so it is also so that nobody ends up fainting from it! With my younger 2, I had my mom with me for one, and my husband was finally with me for my youngest (now 7mos). I really didn't react differently with any of them. BUT, my last one was definitely my easiest experience with the epidural...and I was not really laboring (I was induced). I am TERRIFIED of needles, and had to actually keep my eyes closed until he was fully behind me, ready to go!
Good luck & congrats on the new baby!!
J.
I had a c-sec with #1 and a vbac with #2. The epidural hurt way worse when I was in labor with #2 than it did when I wasn't in labor with #1. I think it feels more painful because you're already in so much pain from the labor and then they make you hunch over and it's not comfortable. The c-section you are lying down and it's much easier. Congrats on the new baby!! Relax, you'll do fine!
Congrats on the new baby!
I'm not much help, I've only had one baby (so far) lol. I had the epidural and It didn't hurt me. I jumped a little because it was cold, but that was it.
Hopefully the spinal wont be bad for you. Good luck!
When I was pregnant with my DD now 3 years old, I had to go into the hospital because she was breach. My doctor was going to try to "turn her" and then if nothing happened we would go in and have a c-section. Well turns out that she did not want to turn and they got me ready to have the c-section. I spoke to the anesthesiologist before he performed the epidural and he answered every single question I had. Well when they were getting me ready, my husband could not be in the room when they were putting the epidural on me. It was just me and the anesthesiologist and the nurses. My doctor was getting ready for the c-section and so was my hubby. It will be okay girl, just relax and pray if you believe in God. And everything will be fine. Think about it this way pain for a few minutes and then you will get to meet your beautiful baby. Congratulations and relax everything will be okay.
I had an emergency c-section b/c my water broke, but I didn't go into labor... so I have nothing to compare it to, but can tell you that spinal only took a couple of minutes and my husband was not permitted to be in there. The two nurses were amazing and curled me around them so that my spine was as separated as possible. It hurt, but was over very quickly!
I understand why you are freaking out. I had a spinal with my first (vaginally but dilated too fast for an epidural, got the spinal at 8 cm) and an epidural with my second. I prefer the spinal as I had less pain during and after with the spinal. It will be over fast and you will have a new bundle to add to the family, just go with it, you will be fine.
You definitely need to go to your 'Happy Place'......
Sorry Sister!
I haven't had an epidural but did have a spinal for a different surgical procedure. I asked what the difference is between a spinal and an epidural. They said that the medication is injected into different parts of the spine. With an epidural, they have the ability to continue giving you more medication (so I think they leave some sort of needle or line in your back to continue giving medication). And with an epidural you are left with some feeling so that you can push. However, with a spinal they give you only one dose that completely numbs you. It only took them a couple minutes to give me the spinal and it was a little painful but nothing bad at all. The nurses were there to explain everything and help me relax. I think it will be easier to get the spinal because you won't be in labor and dealing with that pain as well. Don't worry! Everything will go fine and you will see your new little one soon!
