What method would you choose for childbirth anesthesia?

Question

I just watched a special on the discovery health channel about anesthesia for childbirth. I knew already about the epidural, but have just recently cound out about a spinal block. Apparently the spinal block is better for pain relief, but doesnt last as long. Does anyone have any suggestions on which is the better method?

Answer 1

I had an epidural and while it worked wonders with the contractions it did nothing for the pains in my back and butt (had a back labor).  They also leave an attachment on the tube for the epidural incase you need a c-section so they can put a spinal block without having to insert another needle.  I ended up with a c-section and they gave me a spinal block for that.  I wouldn't get it for labour though.  You can still move with an epidural but with a spinal block, it's like you're paralyzed from the chest down (needs to be strong enough to preform surgery) so I don't think it would be very good for labour since you wouldn't know when to push.

Answer 2

I had a spinal block with my daughter.  I had a c-section.  I happened to like it, and I felt no pain whatsoever during the surgery, and only felt a few pulls and tugs toward the end.  About 30 minutes into the recovery room however, I was in extreme pain lol

Answer 3

none.

thumbs down? WRONG. that IS what I have chosen, and will again.

Answer 4

I had both - I was in labor for a loooooong time and then had to have the spinal for the C Section. Stay away from spinal block unless it's absolutely necessary. I couldn't feel anything below my eye lids and it's scary. During regular contractions and all that I had the epidural and it wasn't too bad - unpleasant to be sure but you know that going in. I had to get the spinal because I'd had the epidural for so long it wasn't effective for surgery. You don't get the choice either, they won't offer you an epidural or a spinal block - it has to be necessary.

Answer 5

the spinal they normally give if they think they may have to do a c section. when i had my son i had the epidural and it came out so i felt the last part of the labor with no leads up to it. they gave me a spinal before they took me to the operating room cause they thought they would have to do a c section but they ended up with just using the  vacum and he came out fine. they give you a bracelet that you are a fall hazard and you cant walk for a while cause you can't feel your legs.

both are really  really good for pain relief. i would go with the epidural tho so that you don;t feel the pain longer. the spinal is stronger and dosen't work as long but it works almost to good...

Answer 6

I have had both. i think I prefer the epidural. It covered all the major pain for me during my last hours of labor with my youngest. they turned down the meds in time for me to be able to push my son out. I had a spinal for my c-section with my daughter. I did not have numbness from my eyelids down like a PP mentioned. I had numbness from below my b*****s down. It was hard to take a full breath because I could not feel my lungs. the pain relief was complete though

Answer 7

Spinals and epidurals have major differences, and different indications for their use.  

Some anesthesiologists will give spinal (also known as intrathecal) narcotics (or ITN) which give pain relief but no weakness.  The degree of pain relief may not be sufficient for everyone, and the drugs will wear off, as it's a one-shot deal.  We can also put numbing medication spinally, which we do for C-sections.  That gives a denser block than an epidural, works more quickly, and is time limited (like the C-section - we know when that's going to end), so it's the best anesthetic for that procedure.

Labor could take an hour or 24 hours - who knows?  We can place a catheter into the epidural space (which is outside the sac of fluid where we put spinal meds in) and run an infusion that can last days if it needs to.  We can also adjust the density and level of the block by changing what goes through the catheter and at what rate.

This is a discussion to have with your anesthesiologist, preferable early in your labor.  If you go for ITN and the anesthesiologist isn't available when they stop working, you might have some pain.  (There is usually only 1 person available nights and weekends in most hospitals, so if a case is going in the main ORs, OB patients have to wait - depends on where you deliver).  Some anesthesiologists will do the ITN and also place an epidural catheter, to be used only if needed.  Different places do different things, and hospital policy plays some role in what you get.

Good luck with the baby!

Answer 8

i would research that more to see how safe it is.  i've never heard of it. i got an epidural... THE BEST! i was pain free! it was wonderful! and my son came into the world just fine,

Answer 9

I didn't have either whilst in labor i used the gas to help with breathing but ive heard spinal blocks are not as widely used as the epidural, heres some info i found on the block..

What you need to know about a spinal block

A spinal block may cause one or more of the following concerns:

Hypotension (low blood pressure)  

Difficulty pushing during the second stage of labor

Severe headache requiring an epidural blood patch

Dizziness

Pruritus (itching)

In rare instances, convulsions

Both narcotics and “caine” medications cross the placenta and enter the baby’s blood stream

Baby may have trouble breastfeeding after birth

Answer 10

A spinal block is a shot that is injected into your spine rather than the slow drip catheter of the epidural (pretty much the same drug tho). The spinal is more effective in terms of pain (tho you won't be able to move you lower extremities at all) and it's has a limited effect timewise. The epidural is a catherter that is inserted into a similiar spot as the spinal injection, but is left in place which allows the medical staff to control the dosage over long periods of time. Supposedly the epidural will also allow more movement of the extremities (some women can even walk). I've done neither, all my births we're either natural or general anesthetic (emergency c-sect) so my knowledge is from the various research I did with my pregnancies. Natural isn't bad or hard but, everyone's got to do what's right for them. Good luck.