Can we talk about spinals (scheduled C-section ladies)

I was induced with mikayla so I had an epi

this time, I will be having a spinal.....can you tell me what this is like

I have heard from some that you are numb from the chest down and some people have said that it feels like you cannot breath...is this true?

With mikayla, I was only numb from the waist down

why do they do spinals and not an epi with a scheduled c-section, what is the advantage of this?

TIA

Message edited 8/10/2009 12:43:37 PM.

Re: Can we talk about spinals (scheduled C-section ladies)

I was numb from the waist down. My breathing was fine, but it felt very strange to not be able to move my legs. I *think* a spinal totally paralyzes you (good for surgery) where an epi allows for some movement and sensation.

Re: Can we talk about spinals (scheduled C-section ladies)

Re: Can we talk about spinals (scheduled C-section ladies)

I had a spinal, the DR told me why they use the spinal vs epi as the hospital had used epis not long before my c/s and my OB had actually told me I was going to have an epi but when I got to the hospital I had a spinal - but anyway I have no recall of the conversation so I dont know why...

I was numb from my chest down, I felt tugging and pressure but no pain. I didnt have any trouble breathing but I did get nauseous so if you get queasy easy tell them so they can put some meds in your IV.

The spinal was just a quick pinch then they laid me down and that was that. My spinal wore off pretty quickly so by the time I was in recovery I was in pain but they put me on the morphine pump right away and I was fine.

GL:!

Re: Can we talk about spinals (scheduled C-section ladies)

My anesthesiologist warned me about this before they started - he said that some people get numb all the way to their chest and it feels like they cannot breathe. He told me that if that started to happen the worst thing to do is panic because then your breathing really does get constricted. When they were doing the surgery it actually started to happen to me and he talked me through it. He kept reminding me that my body knows how to breathe without me thinking about it, just like we know how to blink without having to be consciously aware of it all the time. If I didn't focus on it, my body would take over.

It's not that you can't breathe, it's feeling like you can't. The spinal won't actually interfere with your ability to breathe. There was a strange feeling of numbness in my waist and lower chest but not my arms or anything.

If it starts to happen, just tell the dr. and then start getting your DH to distract you by talking about other things. It will pass.

HTH

Re: Can we talk about spinals (scheduled C-section ladies)

I had a spinal recently and I didn't like it, it took HOURS to wear off, hours and hours. When it was worn off, it was gone, but it seemed like it lasted for ages. I felt nothing from the chest down, and I hated that numb feeling....but I would imagine that its just what you want with a c-section.

Re: Can we talk about spinals (scheduled C-section ladies)

i had a spinal with my section and i was numb from my ribs down. they did warn me that this would happen. it was a very very strange feeling. but i was greatful i didnt feel a thing except some pulling and pushing. i didnt have difficulty breathing but it felt like it was hard to breathe but i quickly got used to the feeling and was fine. Its because all the chest wall muscles get paralyzed and you can no longer use accessry muscles to help you breathe its all on your diaphram. It was already wearing off in the recovery room before i got to my hospital room that night. i got the spinal at 830pm and it was totally gone by 1230am. Wasnt bad at all id do it again in a heart beat!

Re: Can we talk about spinals (scheduled C-section ladies)

I had both. I was told the spinal has a longer lasting effect.

You will feel totally numb from the shoulders down. You will feel pressure but not pain.

You can cough if you need to, or turn your head (I was worried about this).

It was a peice of cake for me. I have had splinters that hurt worse. JMO

What else do you want to know?

ETA - It will take like 4 hrs to wear off. My legs were blocks of lead for hours afterwards, I recall the nurses checking my bleeding/incision and I felt like I had two tree stumps attached to me.

Message edited 8/10/2009 1:31:12 PM.

Re: Can we talk about spinals (scheduled C-section ladies)

I was completely numb. Could not actually move my legs. I told them I could not move them and they "don't try to move your legs".

You feel NOTHING from under chest down. NOTHING!

They told me about the pressure. It's like the anesthesia at the dentist. You can touch your mouth and you feel you touch but you don't feel it. KWIM?

So I felt them pulling, etc.. but I had no feelings. BEST FEELINGS though!

I had a warm blanket on me (it's freezing in the OR room!). I was in Heaven!

That was the best time of the delivery! I was able to talk to DH, the Dr. etc...

ETA: DS was out in 15 minutes. I was there for another 45 minutes for them to stich me up. It usually take 1 hour for the whole thing.

I was VERY shaky when I was transfered to the recovery. I asked to BF DS RIGHT AWAY and I did.

It went downhill afterthat. I spent 7 hours in recovery. I could not stop vomiting shortly after they took DS to the nursery. I was given Zofran before the surgery. Then after when I started to vomit. Then they called the anesthesiologist back because they could help me stop. They gave me Benadryl and it stopped. But I do have very low tolerance for anesthesia or pain killers, etc. in the first place.

Message edited 8/10/2009 1:42:40 PM.

Re: Can we talk about spinals (scheduled C-section ladies)

I could not feel anything...at all. no pressure no tugging...

lasted forever. could not feel my legs for hours.

Re: Can we talk about spinals (scheduled C-section ladies)

Re: Can we talk about spinals (scheduled C-section ladies)

Re: Can we talk about spinals (scheduled C-section ladies)

I'm pretty sure I had a spinal from what everyone is saying. I was in recovery for about 1-2 hrs and then they whelled me up to NICU to see the boys. I also had the feeling I couldn't breathe and the nurse anesthitist said-thats cause someones sitting on your chest honey-I guess I was bleeding and they were trying to slow the bleeding by doing that? IDK. You will be fine and they should let you try to feed KKJ right away...

Re: Can we talk about spinals (scheduled C-section ladies)

Re: Can we talk about spinals (scheduled C-section ladies)

I had a spinal and it wasn't as bad as mentioned. I actually started to feel movcement in my legs in recovery within 45 minutes of the surgery. But I was also "trying" to get feeling back, it weirdedme out. The nurses did say I got feeling back very quickly.

Mine did not hurt going in and it took them like 13 attempts to get it in, and it was painless.

Then I started to feel heat in my legs, laid back and was numb from chest down fast.

I was worried about the breathing part too but I was fine. I watched my chest go in and out and that was enough to convince me I was breathing fine and I forgot about it.

I did make sure DH continually talked to me and the nurse, to keep my mind off everything. ( this time around, I 'm bringing a small album of pictures of Noah to have someone show me to keep my mind on something else)....

I actually didnt feel any pressure or pulling or tugging, even though they said I would. I feel a big feeling of emptyness, like relief when they pulled him out.

HTH

I have to say this thread is making me anxious about my next C/S though. I just have to keep remembering its not that bad. And thats from someone who is a cvomplete freak out in these situations. I always say if I could do it , anyone can.

The spinal made me VERY itchy....ask for benedryl if that happens, it lasted for hours!