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Be aware that the following information describes some rare complications that some readers may find disturbing. You may choose to skip all or parts of this section. |
Things to consider for a spinal anaesthetic
The side affects of a spinal anaesthetic are in some cases different from an epidural. Comparisons of the two methods will occasionally be made and are relevant if the anaesthetist uses a
combined epidural / spinal (CSE) method. You may wish to consider the differences if you are able to express an interest in choosing which type of anaesthetic you would prefer.
The following information is not designed to scare you, but to provide an awareness of what a spinal can entail.
Sudden drop in blood pressure
Severe headache
Itchiness
Nausea and vomiting
Urine retention
Overstimulating the uterus
Effects on the baby
Other rare side effects
Sudden drop in blood pressure
It is normal and expected that the blood pressure of the woman will drop slightly lower, after being given a spinal (or an epidural) anaesthetic. A spinal anaesthetic has the potential to lower the blood pressure more often, more suddenly, and more severely then an epidural. This can happen for about 10 to 12 % of women. The health concerns of a sudden blood pressure drop are the health of the mother and a reduced blood flow to the baby still inside the uterus.
If the blood pressure drops, the anaesthetist will usually make sure the woman is positioned on her side (to help blood flow to her and her baby). Sometimes the woman will be given fluids through a drip in the vein before, during and after the insertion of a spinal in an effort to counteract this side effect, but the benefits and effectiveness of this intervention are now being questioned.
Occasionally the woman is given another drug, called ephedrine, as an injection through the drip in her vein.