Felt pain during c-section

[*Kelli*]

Hi Everyone,
I am 17 weeks pregnant with my third child. I have had two previous emergency c-sections & I am having a planned c-section with this one. However I am terrified of the operation as in my last operation the epidural didn't take effect properly on my right side where I have nerve damage from my first c-section & I felt a terrible burning/tearing sensation when they were pulling my daughter out. (Don't mean to freak anyone out, I'm sure it's fairly uncommon). Just wondering if this has happened to anyone else? I am planning on having a spinal block this time. Can anyone tell me if they found a spinal to be better than an epi. I am so nervous that it might happen again. Thankyou

[Naomi]

I'm sorry you had to go through that and i can fully understand your aprehension.
I have had 3 c-sections 2 epidurals and one spinal, i much prefer the epidural.
I'm sure if you tell your ob your concerns they will make sure that the epi/spinal is fully effective before starting the c-section

[*Kelli*]

Thanks for your reply Naomi. I have another app. with the doctor in a couple of weeks so I will ask him what he thinks will be best. I've also heard that you can have a spinal & also have the epi tube put in ready to go too incase something happens. So that sounds like a good option too.

[krisp]

I don't want to freak you out Kelli but my experience of a spinal for an emergency CS was a disaster!

They administered the spinal no problem and were waiting for it to take effect. They ran ice up my legs and I said i can still feel that, they waited a bit and did it again and I said I can still feel that! They said no you can't, I said YES I CAN!! they put up the screens layed out the sterile cloths, by this time I'm almost hyperventilating, I was protesting, my DH was protesting and all I could think was they were going to start cutting and I would feel everything. At the last minute the anesthetist pinched my tummy with some forceps and I almost jumped off the table and he said "you did feel that didn't you?" and I said Ah yes!!!!! So he finally admitted it didn't work and I ended up with a general anasthetic. It was terrifying and I felt really disconnected to my son for a while after his birth.
Sorry it's so scarey, it's just my experience!

[**Helen**]

I had a spinal and will do so with this pregnancy, however I will be asking for a bigger dose as unfortunately I felt it with the last c/s. I think just talk to the aneisthetist (sp?) and let them know all of your worries and I am sure that they will be able to talk you through what is going to happen and what tests they will do before hand.


All the best.

[littlelalla75]

Hi Kelli,
I have had 2 c-sections and both were very different. I'm having my third c-section in November and I am feeling anxious as well. With my first son I was put on an epidural for the last 11 hours of the labour and then had to have an emergency c-section because after 50 odd hours I had only dilated to 7 cms. I had a spinal on top of the epi and I felt nothing throughout the surgery...no pain or movement...it was a peaceful birthing experience. My second sons delivery was a different story. I had just the spinal and felt much tugging and pulling and movement inside. It was very scary for me and I found the birthing experience to be extremely uncomfortable. I felt no pain but I could clearly feel the sensations of things being moved around and lots of pressure here and there. I was so nervous and scared my hands, arms and mouth were shaking like crazy! They had a hard time getting my second son out as he was 9 pound 3 (2 weeks early) and I'm very small so that was why the experience was so full on for me. But he was born safely and I was so very grateful for that. So I dont know if your experience can be different because of the baby's birth weight but i know with my third c-section I will be communicating more with the doctors. The idea of having an epi ready sounds great as this worked so well with my first c-section. Good luck!!
xx Laura

[deancey]

I had a spinal block with both my sections and I didnt feel any pain it was only a tugging feeling. I am not sure how the epidural works but I hope that the spinal block works well for you this time.

[{sarah}]

For my first emergency c/s I already had the epidural in place so they just topped it up. I could feel a burning, tearing feeling towards the end after my son was already born, so when they were packing everything away so to speak. Fortunately though they topped up the epi & I was fine. This time I had laboured without an epidural so they did a spinal block. For me it was so much better, I had no feeling whatsoever and even the tugging / pulling seemed less with the spinal than with the epi.

[mummy of many]

Hi, i had my first c-section with our 5th bub in december 2007,they gave me a spinal block and i didn`t feel a bloody thing ,thank god,but i was very nervous about it,i did suffer some burning down my left hand side for a few weeks after though.