Terrified of Spinal Block!

[CJHanson]

I just can not stop fearing that needle in my back again! With baby #1 I had to have an unplanned C-Section after 36 hours of labor and am hacing a planned C-Section this time... I figured knowing what to expect would make it better but it's just not! Every day I think about having to have that needle in my back and I get so scared every time...I talked to my OB (Who I completely trust and adore!) and he says it'll be fine of course but I just can't help but panick every time I think about it. I need to be mentally prepared by the time I go in which is now just 13 weeks away and I'm scared I still won't be able to handle it... I want this to be a pleasant experience but at this point unless I can get over this fear I just know it won't be.... any helpful advice from other C-Section mommy's???

 

[MomPepperdine]

No advise but *hugs* deep breaths and personally I would try to not think about it

 

[19Mommy]

you have to have a spinal block for a c section? When my sister had to have hers she said they didnt give her one but gave her IV

 

[amjon]

Just don't get one then. I will NOT have a needle in my back for ANY reason, so they're just going to have to do a c-section without if it comes to that.

 

[bethtastic]

They give you the epidural for a cesarean so that you can be awake and alert when your baby is born. You CAN opt to just be put under anesthesia, but then you dont get to be awake when babe comes out and you have to go through the waking up process, etc...
I had an emergency cesearean with my son. I ended up getting the epidural at 6 cm because between the pitocin and breaking my water I had NO breaks in contractions.

I didn't even FEEL the epidural needle go in. They give you a numbing needle first so you don't even feel the big needle go in. You feel some slight pressure and then nothing. It really is not that scary. Millions of women use it, and every mom that I have talked to that used it has nothing but good things to say about it.

This way, you get to be awake for your beautiful child!!

 

[amjon]

They give you the epidural for a cesarean so that you can be awake and alert when your baby is born. You CAN opt to just be put under anesthesia, but then you dont get to be awake when babe comes out and you have to go through the waking up process, etc...
I had an emergency cesearean with my son. I ended up getting the epidural at 6 cm because between the pitocin and breaking my water I had NO breaks in contractions.

I didn't even FEEL the epidural needle go in. They give you a numbing needle first so you don't even feel the big needle go in. You feel some slight pressure and then nothing. It really is not that scary. Millions of women use it, and every mom that I have talked to that used it has nothing but good things to say about it.

This way, you get to be awake for your beautiful child!!

There is more than the pain of the needle to worry about. There is a risk of paralysis any time and more so for some of us. I would NEVER risk my ability to walk for one.

 

[bethtastic]

They give you the epidural for a cesarean so that you can be awake and alert when your baby is born. You CAN opt to just be put under anesthesia, but then you dont get to be awake when babe comes out and you have to go through the waking up process, etc...
I had an emergency cesearean with my son. I ended up getting the epidural at 6 cm because between the pitocin and breaking my water I had NO breaks in contractions.

I didn't even FEEL the epidural needle go in. They give you a numbing needle first so you don't even feel the big needle go in. You feel some slight pressure and then nothing. It really is not that scary. Millions of women use it, and every mom that I have talked to that used it has nothing but good things to say about it.

This way, you get to be awake for your beautiful child!!

There is more than the pain of the needle to worry about. There is a risk of paralysis any time and more some for some of us. I would NEVER risk my ability to walk for one.

Well everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I have never heard of someone becoming paralyzed, and of course it is a risk, but only if your anesthesiologist is a total idiot. When you are completely put under, they are controlling your HEART beating and LUNGS breathing, that seems a little more scary to me personally. I think the risk of both is so , so low that its totally her personal choice whether to take the block or just get knocked out.

No sense scaring her... my aunt has had 6 kids and all with an epidural, no complications. One of my best friends is an anesthesiologist and has performed over 500 epidurals all without any complications.

 

[19Mommy]

my sister didnt have an epidural and wasnt put to sleep with her c section... not only that but a friend had an epidural and ended up with major back problems/ numbness afterwards which were brought on by the epidural. She couldnt walk for a week afterards because her left side was numb.

 

[amjon]

They give you the epidural for a cesarean so that you can be awake and alert when your baby is born. You CAN opt to just be put under anesthesia, but then you dont get to be awake when babe comes out and you have to go through the waking up process, etc...
I had an emergency cesearean with my son. I ended up getting the epidural at 6 cm because between the pitocin and breaking my water I had NO breaks in contractions.

I didn't even FEEL the epidural needle go in. They give you a numbing needle first so you don't even feel the big needle go in. You feel some slight pressure and then nothing. It really is not that scary. Millions of women use it, and every mom that I have talked to that used it has nothing but good things to say about it.

This way, you get to be awake for your beautiful child!!

There is more than the pain of the needle to worry about. There is a risk of paralysis any time and more some for some of us. I would NEVER risk my ability to walk for one.

Well everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I have never heard of someone becoming paralyzed, and of course it is a risk, but only if your anesthesiologist is a total idiot. When you are completely put under, they are controlling your HEART beating and LUNGS breathing, that seems a little more scary to me personally. I think the risk of both is so , so low that its totally her personal choice whether to take the block or just get knocked out.

No sense scaring her... my aunt has had 6 kids and all with an epidural, no complications. One of my best friends is an anesthesiologist and has performed over 500 epidurals all without any complications.

Just because you personally don't know anyone that had an issue doesn't mean it doesn't happen. I DO happen to know someone that was paralyzed from their epidural. There are also some medications/ conditions that make it more likely (that happen to effect me). I am not willing to take that chance and wasn't planning on it even before I found out I was at an increased risk.

 

[CJHanson]

I thank all of you for your responses... I have had the epidural once before with my son... I was induced and was in labor for quite some time without really dialating so my Dr. said it was best to have the C-Section and I had an epidural and it wasn't very painful at all.... my main concern is the side effects after (I DO NOT want to be put under though either!) It is too important to me to be awake when baby comes out! I just find myself panicking that bad things are going to happen...paralysis... etc., when I asked my Dr. he had never seen it happen and didn't even know of anyone or any other Dr.'s who had seen it...followed by the remark "You could also leave here and get hit by an asteroid, but I don't see that happening, do you?" I know the most important thing is to be awake when baby comes and to never forget that moment... I'm going to get the epidural I just need a way to stop freaking out over it every single day... maybe when the day comes and I know he will be here I will feel better about it...When I had my first I was planning on a totally natural labor and delivery so it never even crossed my mind to think about the epidural. I was just hoping to be more mentally prepared when I go in.

 

[skye93]

I was induced on the 8th of last month. I just had G&A for awhile then opted for the epi. Didn't even feel the needle but prior I was REALLY scared about having one. It stopped working after 15 minutes so the guy came back and gave me a spinal block.

I plan to have another epi next birth.

However, I am having some back pain now. Ob said because i had four needles in my back and two through ligaments. Im having physio now.

 

[Julesillini8]

Aw sorry you're so worried. Just think of being able to hold your baby shortly after! I know it's scarey, just go with your gut on what to do in your situation. No one can make you stop worrying, but just know that it means your baby is coming!

 

[Sooz]

Folks you do realise an epidural and a spinal are not the same thing? X

 

[sophie22]

I get how you feel. I had o e last time, and whilst I didn't feel a thing having it in, it made my bp drop and I had loads of things that may have been caused by that, side effects are scary! I think I would have one again though, it's just the thought running up to the event. In the moment you probably won't think twice!

 

[kellyrae]

I have been worried about this aswell, with my daughter I had an emcs with a spinal block, I didnt feel the needle go in as such but that was due to labour pains at the time......whereas this time it will be a elective csection due to diabetes.
I lay at night worrying about what it will feel like and no matter how many of my friends say that it didn't hurt them, it doesn't make my fear go away so I am with you on that!!!
But I have spoken to my midwife about it and she has said that they can give you a drug to calm your nerves beforehand.
I've been told I will have a meet with the team who will be doing the section a week before so if I have any fears then I can at least make them known.

Good Luck hun xx