Expert: Dr Ian Jackson - please note UK based - 1/30/2007

Question
hi,m writing bout my previous c-sections that was done successfully with epidural and spinal anesthesia, i mean to say that my first c-section was with spinal anesthesia n then the second was with spidural becoz at first i tried the natural delivery but then the doctors decided to do surgery, but i want to know that when i took spinal on my first surgery i didnot feel any pain or pulling out the baby, but at second  surgery i felt lot of pessure the the doctor was trying to pull out the baby which was really painful or son like that, i want to know what was the reason of feeling that much pressure that really gave me that much pain.  

Answer
Hi there
Spinals and epidurals have some major differences. One of these is the quality or strength of the block - that is how numb they make you. On the whole epidurals do not provide as strong a block as spinal anaesthetics and take longer to get fully ready for surgery. Despite this it is usually a very good technique to use for having a baby but some women experience a degree of discomfort during parts of the delivery. You tend to be more aware of pushing and pulling going on but pain is also possible. It sounds like you did experience pain during your delivery when they were getting baby out of your uterus which is the most likely time for this to happen. I am sorry that the degree of block you received didn't prevent you feeling this but hope that your anaesthetist looked after you and helped you through this.
Kind regards
Dr Ian Jackson