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A spinal block is a single pain - killing injection that works faster than an epidural. It is administered by an anaethetic in your back using a very fine needle.
You can have a spinal during the first stage of labour, as part of a combined spinal epidural. Doctors typically will use a spinal block during forcep birth or if you need to go for an emergency c-section.
A spinal block provides rapid pain relief, working within five minutes. Unlike the epidural it can be given in just one injection, so there is no tube left in our back.
Unforunately, spinals last less than two hours. Mini spinals last around an hour. Spinals also can't be topped up or given more than once.
