C-Section and Spinal

Hi everyone.

Its been a long while since I was on here last, My beautiful son is now 16 months old and thriving! Also I am now pregnant and again and expecting in April 2009.
This time though, I have to have a c-section, as my natural labour didnt go so well last time.
I have a couple of issues about having a c-section that I need to put my mind at ease about.
The first one is I am really terrified about having a spinal, does it hurt? Or just a sting? I am tossed up between having a spinal or a general. My doctor said he would do a general if I really wanted but he prefers not as this has effects on the baby. I agree with him, I dont want to put my baby in harms way, and I really would like to be awake wen my lil one is born. But Im terrified of laying there awake and knowing that they have me sliced open. I know it may sound silly but the thought of that just freaks me out. Can someone who has been through this please tell me what to expect.
Will I be able to feel anything? (I know I wont feel pain as such but anything else?) Also wat is it like to have the spinal does it hurt as much as people say it does? And how long does the whole procedure take? Also is there anything else I should be worried about with having a c-section? Like the effect it will have on my baby?
Mel

Seriously I've had regular vaccination needles and local anaesthetics that hurt tons more than the spinal did. In fact it was so insignificant I really can't remember it all LOL. They give you a local anaesthetic first, its just like the normal sting you get with an injection in your arm or whatever, even less maybe.

My spinal was really good and honestly I was sooo comfortable throughout. It was the first time in months that I'd been pain free as I had pelvic instability problems so I felt great. I had a high level of anxiety going into my CS, but the anaesthetist and nurses were all fantastic, keep me chatting to take my mind off what was happening. There were a couple of times I felt pushing sensations, but it was just like someone pressing lightly on your tummy, no more. I was in there for about an hour all up, that included from the time they trolleyed me in (before the spinal) to the time they took me up to recovery. Actual procedure was about half an hour I think, hard to remember because the baby comes out pretty early on after they start and then I was so blissed out I don't think I noticed anything else at all after that. I kept her with me right up until about 10 mins before I left recovery so that time is just a happy blur.

The best thing you can do is get a copy of "Delivery By Appointment" which is a book all about caesareans, it will explain what to expect. Then I think you need to talk some more about it with your doctor, the anaesthetist at the hospital and even get some counselling if you need to. I understand they can give you additional meds to keep you calm during the procedure that's not a g/a, so it's worth asking about that if the time approaches and you're still really worried.

Marydean is so right... is is just a needle, and for me, the COLD antiseptic solution they wash you down with before the spinal for me was worse than the needle for the local, and then, I didn't feel anything... I also had a great nurse with me, who talked and distracted me through the whole thing. Oh, one other thing, my DH had to wait outside the theater while they put the spinal in, and he came in after that.... I was not prepared for that, and thought he would be with me all they way, but my hospital policy did not allow for him in until after the spinal was in, so maybe ask your hospital what their policy is on that one...

And as for the birth, again, all I felt was a bit of tugging or pulling here and there, but after I got to see my DS, which was after less than 10 mins, I didnt pay any attention to anything else in the room.

Good luck with your c-sect. I am sure you will be fine. And do talk about your concerns/fears with your anesthetist / OB, cause they are great at explaining it all.