C-section question...a Tad Freaked Out!!

I had two planned c-sections. Me and both babies were fine. No worries you will be fine too. Congrats on the new baby!

Ive had 2 c sections and the only downside to my second was I got the shakes really bad. They had to give me something to stop them whih made me loopy and tired. But other then that they weren't bad. Good luck and congrats!

Both of my pregnancies were scheduled c-sections, and they were truly wonderful experiences. A benefit to the spinal block is the medicine is coupled with morphine, so you feel pretty well after the surgery.

A friend of mine had three deliveries: vaginal, emergency c-section after hours of pushing, and a scheduled c-section. She said the scheduled c-section was the best experience and easiest delivery.

My cousin's placenta moved at 38 weeks, so don't lose hope!

I had 2 vaginal deliveries with epidurals and 1 c-section with spinal tap. They were the same to me--needle in my back!

I had placenta previa with baby #2, which is why I had the c-section. My placenta didn't move.

Huh? I had a planned c-section and had an epidural. Must just be different with every hospital. To be honest, getting the needle in my back, was the easiest part of the whole thing. (My c-section as recovery was VERY easy, so that's saying something!) I don't have an experience with low placenta, sorry.

Google Search "what is the difference between a spinal tap and an epidural." or "what types of anesthesia is used for a c-section."
Or simply ask your OB/GYN.
Here is a link:
http://pregnancy.emedtv.com/cesarean-section/cesarean-sec...

I had an emergency c-section with my first child and a planned c-section with my 2nd child.
If I recall, my 1st was an epidural block (which is a regional, anesthesia, not general anesthesia). I remember the Doc saying that term. By then, I was just glad to get pain relief.
Don't know what the heck it was with my 2nd c-section. But I'm pretty sure it was also an Epidural Block.
And I was awake, during both.

In any event, I was fine both times.

Did the hospital or Dr. tell you you would have a spinal block? If not it's not a guarantee.I had a epidural with my planned C-section but my sister in law had a spinal black and I believe we delivered in the same hospital. Either way don't freak out they are pretty much the same. I honestly probably would have rather had the block then the epidermal.

I had spinals with both of my kids (one emergency c-section, one scheduled). It was totally fine and didn't hurt any more than an epidural (which I also had with my first).

Don't be scared or nervous. The recovery from a scheduled c-section isn't too bad, as long as you don't try to do too much in the first few weeks. Because you aren't worn out from labor, your body recovers faster than you would think.

I had 2 c-sections ( one @ 38 w emergency high blood pressure for me and non-responsive baby on NST, second one planned since my hospital wouldn't do VBAC) and 2 spinals, they both went fine, and it didn't hurt at all geting them, I believe thye are adiministered very similarly - epidural just goes in the outer layer of the spinal tissue, and the "spinal block" or Interthecal, I believe just goesin deeper, and is only one injection, rather than a catheter and a drip like epi....because it doesn't have to last a s long as a labor, just a surgery and recovery that the Dr. has pretty timed/planned. I was up and walking just a couple hours after the surgery 9am birth - walking by 12 pm, and only used Ibuprophen after the spinal wore off. The recovery was not too bad, yes you're sore, but if you take care and follow Dr.s orders you'll be fine.

I had a nautral miscarriage at 12 weeks between the two full term babies, and that miscarriage was much more physically painful than the c-section recoveies were.

I've had both and agree with Diane C. Spinal was much better, worked better and wore off faster so I could move around more. I think moving helped my faster recovery, and I was able to be with my baby a lot sooner than with the epidural (which wasn't strong enough and first to where I felt the cut). Spinal was fine!

I have had two scheduled c-sections, and will have my third this year. (I'm 17 weeks pregnant with my baby boy!) So yes, it does require a spinal tap, but it's almost the exact same as an epidural. It's in the same spinal space, and is administered exactly the same way, except that the spinal tap is one injection, while the epidural is a drip. So, if you have had an epidural before, you're a veteran to the sensation and the idea. It feels kind of like a bee sting. Not painless, but not bad.

As far as the rest of the procedure, it's a bit nerve-racking being awake for your own surgery, but I found that to be the hardest part. My second c-section, my OB had a hard time stitching me up because I kept vomiting and wretching so he couldn't get my staples lined up correctly. So, it took a bit longer than it should have, so I got anxious, but that was the hardest part, I promise. Other than the injection, everything is painless. The recovery is what you have to worry about.

I've had both, and I really had better experiences with the spinal blocks than the epidurals (though the epidurals were kidney related and not baby related). It just seemed to really block all the pain. With the epidural I didn't feel totally numb (might have been all in my head). Either way, it is a little unnerving, as it is a needle in your back. I had to just remind myself to relax, the doctor knows what she's doing (I almost always end up with "she's"), it will be over soon, so will the c-section.

If you're at all nervous about the recovery, my advise would be to really listen to what the doctor and nurses say and follow their advise. Don't over do it. Also, don't be afraid to take the pain medicine. I took it on the clock the first couple of days. After that, I took it if I started to feel uncomfortable. After a few days I was only taking it a few times a day and soon I was taking OTC meds. I didn't think the recovery was too bad, but it really helps if you have someone around. My husband (thankfully) had paternity leave, so I was not alone.

Good luck, and please ask lots of questions if it will help you feel more relaxed.

I had a spinal and it wasn't bad. I know my blood pressure dropped a bit and I felt nauseous, but the anesthesiologist had it under control very quickly. Overall no worries!

Good luck with your delivery!

I had both, and I did not notice a difference in the administering of it. Neither one was bad. Just a little poke. The difference I did notice is that with the spinal, it seemed to go up higher. I had to concentrate on breathing, as my chest felt tight, and I could feel my pulse in my face. Not very enjoyable, but it didn't last long. Just make sure to stay in communication with your anesthesiologist throughout the procedure. Take your camera along, and ask if they will take pics for you right when the baby is born. Our people were great, and took pictures for us. My hubby got to hold our daughters right away, and then in recovery, I was able to lie skin to skin and nurse.

If I were you, i would not take a chance with a vaginal birth. Also, if for some reason, your dr. is not available (like if you deliver before your scheduled date), make sure the dr. doing surgery is very aware of the placenta issue. Blessings on your delivery!

I had no idea I was going to have an emergency C-section, so I had no idea what I in for. It all happened so quickly for me ! I do remember that several nurses were around me and walking me through each step. I thought the recovery was more difficult. Ask for help when you get home. It is surgery !

Good luck and blessings on your delivery !

I had an emergency C-section with my daughter and a spinal. The anesthesiologist explained they had to get in fast and the spinal would work fast and it did. He instructed me not to try to sit up for "x" amount of hours, and that my head would be raised in small increments to avoid nausea. I never had any nausea, and when he came to check up on me a couple of days later he was pleased with how well I had done.

Don't worry or stress, it will be fine.

I've had 3 c-sections. The first & last used spinal blocks, the 2nd was an epidural (as I was in labor but not progressing, so they added more medicine to the epidural and did the c-section).

The best pain control, was with the spinals. I also sprung back more quickly with the spinals.

Good luck!

I've had both and epidural and spinal. They felt the same going in, except the spinal tap is just a single injection instead of the drip and it worked a WHOLE LOT BETTER than the epidural did. Please don't stress about this, it's not a big deal.

Spinals with both c-sections. No problems and the needle is no big deal. Both times they worked really fast, and I recovered really fast. Up and about in no time. I don't know if this was related to the meds or procedures, but I did get the shakes with my first (they gave me something to stop that) and had some nausea with the second (they gave me something for that).

Had them twice and no problems at all. Best of luck and congratulations on the new baby! :)

Just breathe. I have had two c-sections, one emergency and one planned. It will be ok. Epideral you are happy and like dont feel the contractions. The spinal makes you numb from stomach down. They will give you some pain meds to then. It will be painfully afterwards but take it easy and you will recover faster. #1 find out if hospital will give you a compression support. It will HELP so greatly. If not order one quickly. It helps with the pain and makes it easier to walk. Bring a pillow. Hold pillow when getting up or in the car with. Dont dare cough, sneeze, or bend over. Getting out of the bed, try to roll to the side. ABSOLUTELY, do nothing the first week but feed baby and no housework for at least a month. They say you can have sex after 4 weeks but it was too painfully for me til like 8weeks. Rest alot!

The hospital will have you in for 3 days. Let the baby be in the nursury sometimes so you can sleep. The more sleep the faster you will recover. If you get itchy after the surgery, it because of the pain meds. Ask for benedryl. If constipation and or your stomach is upset is a issue like it was for me, its the iron to blame.

Spinal will be fine. I had three C's :( Epidural the first one because we thought I'd deliver naturally but it never happened. With #2 first spinal. Just don't focus on the spinal...It is freaky when you have no sensation in your lower body that I won't lie about however, I had the medical staff keep me distracted so I wouldn't focus on it.

First, congratulations on your baby!!
Second, I had précis w/my 1st baby. My placenta moved at 32 weeks. So it can happen. I still ended up w/a c/s, but for other reasons.
As far as the method of making sure your body is numb, you'll get a spinal, not a spinal tap. I had an epidural w/my 1st baby b/c I labored, etc. The epidural didnt work during my c/s, & I felt the entire surgery. The pain was unreal. That's why they do a spinal. Don't be scared of that.
Best of luck!!

I had the spinal with both my boys, it's not bad. Recovery will be different from your first and a little rough but the nice thing is you have a little bundle of joy to take your mind off of that!!!

Congratulations!

M

I had a spinal with all three of my c sections. Getting it wasn't bad. It made my blood pressure drop which made me very nauseous, but that went away quickly. The worst part for me was that you can feel touch but not pain. It was very disconcerting. Also, it made me feel like it was hard to breathe during my second c section. None of it was terrible. It was much better than what I anticipated each time.