C Section Epidural Or Spinal Block

According to asa practice guidelines a spinal block or epidural is preferred for most cesarean deliveries because the baby is exposed to the lowest amount of medication and the mother can still actively participate in the baby s birth.

C section epidural or spinal block. Conversely a spinal block is also an option for c sections. Similarly a spinal block could also be administered for c sections. Mcdonald md chairman of the department of anesthesiology and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at ucla medical center spinal block has emerged as the preferred approach to cesarean section anesthesia based on the finding of higher maternal mortality among patients who undergo general anesthesia.

However general anesthesia may be necessary in some cases. But don t worry you re given topical. The difference between spinal and epidural for c section lies in the duration of numbing and their effectiveness.

While spinal blocks are given in one shot and have a high quality of pain blocking for a shorter period epidurals last longer and are not as potent at blocking the pain. According to john s. Though an epidural block is mostly recommended in case of pregnant women during labor and women who would be undergoing a cesarean c section it might also be suggested in case of surgeries of the gastrointestinal tract.

A spinal block is injected into the cerebrospinal fluid or the spinal or subarachnoid space that directly bathes the spinal cord and nerves langon says. In conclusion we believe that spinal anesthesia may be a better choice for elective cesarean section than epidural anesthesia. Regional anaesthesia spinal or epidural anaesthesia for caesarean section is the preferred option when balancing risks and benefits to the mother and her fetus.

Spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section is thought to be advantageous due to simplicity of technique rapid administration and onset of anaesthesia reduced risk of systemic toxicity and increased density of spinal anaesthetic block. Epidurals are most common for pregnant women in labor or having a c section but can also be used for gastrointestinal surgeries. Epidural nerve blocks this one of the most common uses of an epidural.