Epidural vs spinal tap???

[HayShang]

Thanks for your reply PinkPalace -very interesting and helpful

[Ryatha]

I had an epi first time and didn't like it - I didn't like it in my back... so elected a spinal the second time. It was a bit strange not feeling or moving my legs but it seemed to wear off quicker and i did't have anything in my back they had to take out. given the option I would choose a spinal again. HTH

[willow5]

Ok I understand how an epidural is administered, but how is a spinal tap done?

[boobaloo]

i had a spinal tap and it was great! you have an iv, not sure what's in it, then the put the needle into your spine with the anathstetic in it. i had no problems with recovery.

[willow5]

boobaloo thanks for that I get it now

I haven't had experience with either and to be honest I had heard both terms before and assumed it was the same thing just 2 different names

[HayShang]

Thanks everyone, for the information. I now understand the difference between the 2 things! Hmmmm, it looks like a spinal may be the way to go??? Oh, I don't know, I'm still confused as to which way to go....that's if I even get a choice. Isn't the morphine in the spinal bad for bub when breastfeeding?

Hayley.

[*suz1*]

Isn't the morphine in the spinal bad for bub when breastfeeding?

Hi Hayley, I've never thought about it until now but the spinal block I had for my c-section could have caused my breastfeeding problems. DS was very sleepy and I couldn't get him to latch and feed. I couldn't move my legs for hours after, so they just lay him on me in bed. My c-section was at 7pm and by 6am the next morning they had heel pr*cked him and taken him to the NICU because his blood sugar was low. That night he was under lights due to Jaundice. DS was 3 weeks old before we properly established breastfeeding. I didn't know until I 'googled' it before replying, that the spinal block could have been responsible for all this.

My c-section was an emergency due to an undiagnosed breech baby. I didn't get to choose whether I wanted an epidural or a spinal block, but they did tell me it would be a spinal and explained it to me before hand.