Fear of the needle in my back not c-section

[kellyrae]

Hi, This may seem silly I know, I have already had an emergency c-section with my first.
When they were trying to put the needle in I found it hard to keep still and eventually they put it in whilst i was having a contraction so i didnt feel anything.....it was like someone prodding me in the side and i just kept flinching as if being tickled and it was so annoying at the time because it was a natural reaction.

So me and my husband are ttc this month and as I am type 1 diabetic I will have to have another c-section but hopefully this one will be pre-booked and not an emergency!!

The c-section itself doesnt bother me nor does the recovery but the thought of that needle in my back is another thing, rather ironic considering i am used to 6 insulin injections a day.

Can some of you ladies tell me what that needle feels like going in and if it hurts and if i have anything to fear?
Its my only fear over the birth of having another baby :s

 

[Mummythree]

i dont think the spinal is that bad, its a bit uncomfy but nothing to stress over. i was more worried about the operation and recovery. ive had a long hard recovery. good luck

 

[BabyN2010]

I had a spinal and although I was having contractions at the time, they did it when I wasn't going through one. To be completely honest, I didn't feel anything but a slight pinch and I can assure you I am the biggest baby.

They first do the local and then the spinal itself so its only the local injection you would feel and its over in a matter of seconds.

Sometimes we build these things up in our minds with fear and the reality is often not as bad as you imagined.

I hope this helps in some way.

xx

 

[Utahgirl]

I was terrified of getting an epidural/spinal. I think it was the thing that scared me the most about delivery in general. Couple things:
- It depends on your doctors, but depending on circumstances you can be given a little something to calm you down before the needle is placed.
- The anastesiologist (sp?) told me normally he could give a calming drug before needle placement, but my baby was 6 weeks premature, so not for me. BUT, it was not bad at all. The worst thing was the fear and knowing what was going on. There was no pain, as the area was numbed before placement. They told me to be still, but I was shaking from fear. Even with the shakes, they managed to place it just fine.
- It was FAST. I'm laying on my side, terrified, and then I hear, "All done." I couldn't believe how quickly it went. Once you're numb and he starts, I bet it takes less than a minute.

 

[miss cakes]

didnt even feel it goin in the first time but i was in labour at the time but my other two i wasnt in labour and i have to say i hardly felt it i dont think it feels any worse than a blood test i think the whole thing just sounds a whole lot worse than it actually is when they explain to you what they are about to do im like covering my ears and going la la la dont tell me! lol x

 

[sapphire20]

I'm such a wimp when it comes to needles and usually always faint or feel woozy, but the spinal was a doddle, a wee sharp prick then just come pushing but it wasn't painful! Theatre staff were very good at chatting to keep my attention x

 

[Laura80]

I didn't feel the needle at all, just felt people poking and prodding at my back to find the right spot.

 

[alaricsmom]

I had pain with cs#2 during the needle insertion. I didn't not with cs#1. It wasn't unbearable, but definitely not fun. My least favorite part is the iv. I literally was in tears talking to the nurse about how I hated them. The dr finally had to put it in because I was having a minor panic attack for the nurse. He even numbed the area for the IV because I was so scared.

 

[Ktothema]

I had an epidural during labour with dd. I didn't want one initially when described, but after 24hrs it started feeling like the only option. There was a dodgy anaesthetist that night who struggled to get epidurals in anyone, and I remember it hurting a bit everytime he attempted it - not more than the contractions though. My midwife was phenomenal though, and demanded the supervisor came along. Supervisor got it in in one try. Ffs! Though to be honest labouring was far worse than that mad 5 mins. I also had a bit of a giggle after my emcs when I could hear the new anaesthetist after shift change complaining that all she had done that morning was to correct people's dodgy epidurals!

Like OP I am worried about doing it again for the elcs this time. I know it was sore and I know I won't have the comparator this time. Just going to try focusing on the fact I've been through worse and it will b quick. And I'm not getting a dodgy guy this time (I shall continue to tell myself that!).

 

[helena]

I had 2 scheduled c sections. I remember the needle like a dull ache and the anaesthetist pushing on my back. Nothing too bad and over pretty fast.one I was on my side and the other I was sitting up. When on my side I was curled like a ball as he did the injection and I was most concerned about the fact that the rather attractive anaesthetist could see my naked pregnant backside in a most ungainly position! Don't worry xx

 

[Claire300]

I had a planned c-sect and the worse thing for me was the canular being inserted into the back of my hand, but that only lasts a few seconds. The spinal was a piece of cake - they put in local anasthetic (sp?) first, then the spinal. I felt what was like they were poking my back with a finger to find the right spot, then my legs felt really warm + I realised they must have done it + I just didn't feel it!

 

[apple_20]

i had an planned c section and was most worried about the spinal. however it was fine! they anaesthetic stung a little but it meant the spinal needle just felt like pressure mainly. more of a weird feeling than pain.

you'll be fine its all quick and there is so much more to focus on around 10-15 mins later!

 

[helena]

I agree, a kind of achey pressure. It's fine, the thought of it is much worse than the reality.

 

[Srrme]

I have had a spinal tap and epidural (not by choice), and neither one of them hurt. I was contracting regularly while receiving both of them, so that might have something to do with it..

 

[kimberleyrobx]

I was so drugged out and exhausted when I had my epidural, I didn't feel a thing! I was on my side and I kept telling them to stop because I was contracting lol, my water broke while they were putting it in! But I didn't feel anything, was too tired to care lol x

 

[OlusKrk]

I was also afraid before my cc and putting this big needle in my back but fortunately everything was ok

 

[kellyrae]

Thanks ladies!!!!!! I clearly don't have anything to worry about

You have all made me feel abit easier about it