A 41-year-old member asked:
How does anesthesia during cesarean section block out pain? will i feel anything?
5 doctor answers • 17 doctors weighed in
Dr. Karen Sibertanswered
Anesthesiology 40 years experience
Nerves are blocked: Most c-sections are done under regional anesthesia such as a spinal or epidural. Local anesthesia like Lidocaine is injected into the proper space between the backbones, and it blocks the nerves in the abdomen and legs--both sensation and movement are blocked. You may feel pressure and pulling as the baby is delivered, but you will not feel pain. Talk to the anesthesiologist before your c-section.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Scott Welkeranswered
General Surgery 28 years experience
Spinal anesthesia: The normal method of inducing anesthesia for a c-section is spinal anesthesia. It's a way to numb the lower half of your body without exposing the baby to a dose of drugs he/she doesn't need. Sometimes, general anesthesia is required, but that's not preferred since some of the drugs go to the baby. If you already have a working epidural in place, they can use that.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Rita Agarwalanswered
Anesthesiology 36 years experience
General or regional: Epidural and spinal anesthesia block hte nerves going to the abdominal muscles and uterus, so you feel no pain, although you may feel a some pressure. You are unconscous when you undergo general anesthesia, so you don't feel anything, but you are also not awake when the baby is born.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Nikolaos Zachariasanswered
Maternal-Fetal Medicine 27 years experience
Touch-pressure.: Spinal and epidural anesthesia completely block any pain sensation from the lower half of your body - although you will still feel touching, wetness and stretching/pressure (without any pain).
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 31 years experience
See below: The usual technique for a c-section is to do a spinal or epidural anesthetic. The local anesthetic used in these procedures interrupt the ability for nerve fibers to send signal to your brain. Hence they cannot send pain impulses. You will feel pressure and some pulling, but no pain.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Sep 28, 2016
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