Scheduled C-Section - Epidural or Spinal Block?

If you had a scheduled C-section, did you get a epidural or a spinal block?

If you had a spinal block, did you have any side effects? How was recovery? What did they give you for pain management later?

Re: Scheduled C-Section - Epidural or Spinal Block?

I don't know the answers to your questions, but you just reminded me that I wanted to get my records from my first pregnancy to know what they used since I'll be delivering at a different hospital this time.

When I get my records, I'll let you know.

I THINK I did a Spinal Block. I just remember feeling pretty nauseous and like the world was going on around me, but it was all distant and weird. I think I got a little emotional, especially when my baby went one way and I went another... and my husband left me to go see our son. But I was SO happy when he came back to me - with my son's footprints stamped on his arm.

I think whatever icky side effects I had didn't last too long, if I remember correctly from four years ago. It was all a blur!

Everyone reacts differently, of course. But, I think I would have the same medicine they used last time this time around since it wasn't TOO bad.

Re: Scheduled C-Section - Epidural or Spinal Block?

I'm curious about this too. My first was an emergency c-section after I already received an epidural for labor pains. The injection was painful, but no side effects. This time it's planned so I don't know if it will be a block instead.

Re: Scheduled C-Section - Epidural or Spinal Block?

I had the spinal. I got really nauseaous/sick the first day after my section. The only other thing i remember is feeling like I was cold. I was shaking uncontrollably for a few hours which made it hard to hold my babies.

Re: Scheduled C-Section - Epidural or Spinal Block?

I've had two scheduled csections (will soon have a third) and got a spinal both times. I had horrible nausea/vomiting in recovery for several hours after. Other than that, I didn't have any other side effects. I had very minimal pain that was treated with Motrin, but I turned it down for the most part... I didn't need it at all. I had a great recovery.

Re: Scheduled C-Section - Epidural or Spinal Block?

Most of the time, scheduled CS will get a spinal.
You may get an epidural catheter if you have had multiple CS in the past and the ob thinks it's going to take a while.
Spinal will be a denser numbness, but only lasts so long...

Scheduled C-Section - Epidural or Spinal Block?

Had to have an Emergency C bc baby wasn't tolerating labor. I didn't have an epi in place but they gave it to me in the OR. The only effects I experienced in recovery was the shakes. It was pretty bad but the heated blankets helped. Delivered baby at 4AM and was walking by the later afternoon.

Scheduled C-Section - Epidural or Spinal Block?

Scheduled c and had a spinal. After they gave me some heavy duty pain meds. This was at lij

Scheduled C-Section - Epidural or Spinal Block?

I had an emergency c-section with my first. I had a spinal and threw up all over the operating table. I was quite nauseous all night ( had the c at 2 pm) but I also had a bad reaction to the pain meds so can't say it was the spinal or the pain meds making me throw up all evening.

Re: Scheduled C-Section - Epidural or Spinal Block?

No clue what I had. I just know I didn't feel anything.

I didn't have any side effects. Recovery was fine - relatively easy, though not as easy as my VBAC. But at the time, I had nothing to compare it to. Afterwards, they have pain meds through my IV and percoset, or something similar. By the time I was released, I only took Motrin. The pain really wasn't bad. I actually took more/longer Motrin after my VBAC, though I felt better faster then.

Re: Scheduled C-Section - Epidural or Spinal Block?

Unscheduled but not crash c section (water broke early). Had an "epi spinal" - both!

Scheduled C-Section - Epidural or Spinal Block?

I had a spinal block, then right after the surgery when they wheeled me to recovery and the spinal started to wear off, I think they gave me morphine or something like that through my IV. I didn't have any naseau or vomiting, but I was pretty out of it for the rest of the day. It makes me sad actually that my dd's first day of life is such a foggy blur for me. Also, for the rest of the day in to the next night, my whole lower body all the way down my legs was so itchy. And the worst part was I couldn't scratch because I couldn't sit up or move at all, But that wore off by the next day, thankfully. And I don't know if that's a common side effect, I've never heard anyone else say they had something like that. After the surgery, they gave me a combo of strong ibuprofen and hydrocodone, which also made me pretty out of it until I stopped taking it about a week after DD was born.

Scheduled C-Section - Epidural or Spinal Block?

Spinal block

I threw up the stomach settling drink on the table and was naucious and vomiting for about 24 hours. They must anticipate this because they gave me bags at the hospital to puke in. It was so lovely, I threw up atwo bags worth just as my MIL walked in.

My other side effect was tingling finger tips, started about 48 hours after, or that's when I noticed it. I got so used to it I'm not even sure when it stopped, but at about 4 months out I noticed the sensation was gone.

I will say It was a very strange sensation that my bottom half was numb and I couldn't feel anything from the boobs down, but I like that I was very aware of the moment DD was born and everything that went on in the OR.

Message edited 8/28/2015 8:36:19 AM.

Scheduled C-Section - Epidural or Spinal Block?

Spinal Block both times.

I was very aware of everything going on. Felt nauseated but told the anesthesiologist and he or something in my iv. Never vomited. First time, I was itchy. This time I wasn't

Motrin both times dieting recovery, but they'd give you something stronger if you needed it. Overall, I have a good experience.

Scheduled C-Section - Epidural or Spinal Block?

I had a spinal.

After my c-section I was shivering uncontrollably but I think this is a common side effect. I was also sooo itchy that night. The nurse wanted me to take Benadryl but I refused because I wanted to try and BF. Other than that no horrible side effects and I was up and walking the next morning.

Scheduled C-Section - Epidural or Spinal Block?

I had a spinal this past csection and it was the first one I did not itch like hell once it was admistered. I had a spinal headache postpartum but overall it was much better than the last time.

Scheduled C-Section - Epidural or Spinal Block?

I had a spinal also and also vomited while on the table. The poor nurse tried to catch it in a little pan and it went all over her arm. I didn't feel foggy or anything and I was up and walking 7 hours later.