Epidural for planned c-section

[Leafy]

What does it feel like getting the epidural?

I have read about women getting it when in labour and they say the contractions are so bad by that point you dont notice the epidural pain! On the other hand i have heard horror stories that its a big needle in your spine and hurts alot. Im needle phobic and having a planned section so this is worrying me quite a bit now as i'll just be getting the epidural without being in labour!!

 

[Scuba]

Hey! I'm a huge wimp, total baby lol, but I can honestly hand on heart promise you I didn't feel anything of the epidural needle - just like a bee sting from the local anaesthetic they give you first - it was honestly fine - I loved the entire section experience, and even the recovery! I'd do it again in a heartbeat!xx

 

[ShelbyLC]

I had a spinal, not an epidural, but I think they're pretty much done the same way.

It was a million times easier than I expected. They gave me a pillow to hug and I made the C shape with my back. The anisthesiologist cleaned my back (which made me jump - I was nervous) and then there was one needle prick, which was numbing medication, and it didn't hurt at all. After that, I didn't feel a thing! He obviously did some other stuff back there after that, but I didn't feel it. I was actually surprised when he said I was done! It was all very quick and easy. I hate needles, so I wouldn't lie about how bad it was. Definitely very easy.

 

[Leafy]

Thanks for the reassurance!! I feel faint at the thought of needles so just hope it goes as smoothly for me! x

 

[LDC]

I'm also a needle phobic too!

Remember that the epidural isn't a needle it's a thin tube. I was in labour when I had my epidural and then had to have an emcs, but honestly I didn't feel the epidural at all because of the contraction pain. I could feel her doing it though but it didn't hurt, they'll also ask if you feel electric kinda nerve signals down your legs to make sure that its in the right place. I felt these in both legs but that didn't hurt either, it was just a really strange sensation that lasted about 2 seconds as I told the anaesthetist when I felt it and she moved it right away.

The weirdest thing was when I was on the operating table for my emcs and they had topped up the epidural and they asked me to move my legs and I couldn't!

Please don't be scared, it's nothing to worry about xxx

 

[cupcake23]

If you are having an elective cs you would be having a spinal, similar procedure to an epidural but the small catheter is not left in to top up the doses of epidural needed for labour whilst a spinal lasts for 2 hours only, long enough for the cs. Try not to worry, it's usually a quick and painless procedure.

 

[BabyBG]

So what happens if you've had the spinal and then get bumped for someone needing an emcs? Do they do it again? I read of a mom saying hers wore off mid-section and felt everything until they gave her morphine. Not to scare anyone! Sorry, just want to know worst case scenario.

 

[Leafy]

has anyone had the spinal then? is that not as drastic as the epidural? anyone got any experiences? xxx

 

[tabitha561]

Here they give you both an epidural and a spinal.... A spinal for the actual section then an epidural for pain.... It wasnt bad at all I think the worst thing it was sooo cold tell you the truth and trying to arch your back being heaVILY pregnant

 

[kimberleyrobx]

i didnt feel a thing although i was in too much pain to care lol x

 

[robyn1990]

Didn't even feel it at that point, its nothing compared to the pain of contractions x