Epidural & Spinal Anaesthetic difference?

Question

Has someone ever got a spinal anaesthetic and what is the difference from an epidural?

Answer

Spinal is a one-shot technique and local anesthetic is injected just beneath the dura (the tough, outermost covering of the spinal cord). It takes effect much quicker than an epidural and last for a few hours, and is typically used for a planned c-section. It provides a much deeper block than an epidural.

An epidural is for longer-term pain relief during labor. A small, thin flexible catheter is inserted into the epidural space, which is the space just outside of the dura (the tough outermost membrane of the spinal cord). The catheter is connected to tubing through which local anesthetic is continuously infused. The level of numbness/motor inhibition is dependent on how much medication is infused. Typically it's light enough that a person can still walk and move around. If a woman has an epidural in place and needs to have a c-section, the epidural can be "dosed-up" with a larger amount of quick-onset anesthetic to produce a deep enough block for the surgery.

If the epidural isn't working properly and a true emergency (or "crash) c-section is needed, general anesthesia will used (aka breathing tube and anesthesia gas).

There is also something called a combined spinal-epidural (CSE). If it is suspected that a c-section may take a while due to the patient having a prior history of abdominal surgeries, CSE can provide the best of both worlds with a quick acting deep block to start the surgery, and then continuous infusion of anesthetic in the epidural space if the spinal starts to wear off.
Rarely a CSE will be used for a laboring woman not having a c-section.

I'm a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and do this for a living, so if you have any other questions, let me know!

Answer

Spinals are used in c sections because it numbs you from a higher portion from right under your breasts. Epidural is for vaginal and numbs or attempts to numb from lower abdomen and down.

Epidural & Spinal Anaesthetic difference?

The Top Baby Tracker App: Embrace New Beginnings with Tender Care

The Top Fertility Tracker App: Your Path to Achieving Pregnancy

The Top Pregnancy App: Nurturing Your Journey to Motherhood

The Top Period Tracker for Empowering Your Menstrual Health Journey