I had a spinal block with mine, although at the same time they inserted the catheter for an epidural, in case I needed that as well (I didn't). My c/s was at 3pm, and I wasn't able to get out of bed until about 10ish the next morning. I was given pethidine as well, which made me itchy, so they added Phenergan to my drip a few hours after the c/s. I was numb from the chest down, but breastfed in recovery about 20mins after the c/s and had no problems with numbness or tingling in my breasts.

I didn't have a choice between an epidural or a spinal either, although I didn't ask for one, and I'm not sure what would have happened if I had voiced a preference. I was so sure I was going to have a natural birth that I didn't do any research at all about c/s.