15/04/2025
“I didn’t feel pain and I didn't feel alone. I felt safe.” — Chipo’s Story of Spinal Anaesthesia
When Chipo was told she needed a caesarean section, her heart sank.
“I was so scared,” she says. “I had never had surgery before. And when they told me I’d be awake while they operated… I almost panicked. I kept thinking — will I feel everything? Will I hear everything? What if something goes wrong?”
But everything changed when she met the anaesthesiologist.
“She came to see me before the operation. She didn’t just give instructions — she talked to me. She explained that I would get a spinal anaesthetic. That it would block pain from my waist down, so I wouldn’t feel the surgery. She answered every question I had — without rushing me or being impatient with my questions. That’s when I started to feel calmer.”
What is spinal anaesthesia?
Spinal anaesthesia is a type of pain relief used during surgeries that involve the lower part of the body — like C-sections, hernia repairs, or leg operations. It’s given as a small injection in your lower back. The medicine works by interrupting pain signals before they reach the brain.
Here’s how it works:
Your body sends pain messages through nerves — kind of like how electricity travels through wires. During surgery, if your body wasn’t numbed, pain messages would travel from the area being operated on (like your womb or legs) up through your spine, and into your brain.
Spinal anaesthesia stops that message right in its tracks. It blocks the nerves in the lower spine from sending pain signals up. The result? You’re awake, but you don’t feel any pain during the operation.
The effects come on fast — usually within a few minutes. You may feel warmth or tingling at first, followed by numbness in your legs. The anaesthesiologist checks everything carefully before the surgery starts.
“She held my hand the whole time.”
Chipo continues:
“When the injection was given, it wasn’t as painful as I imagined. In fact, I barely noticed it. Within minutes, I couldn’t feel my legs. I remember lying on the table and feeling afraid again, but then the anaesthesiologist leaned over and said, ‘You’re doing great. I’m right here with you.’ She held my hand. She helped me breathe.”
During the surgery, the anaesthesiologist stayed by Chipo’s side — adjusting medications, checking her blood pressure, and making sure she felt okay. “She didn’t just care about the medical part,” Chipo says. “She cared about me.”
Then — the moment she had been waiting for.
“I heard my baby cry for the first time. I started crying too. It was the most powerful moment of my life.”
What happens after?
Once the surgery is done, the numbness slowly wears off. Your anaesthesiologist will make sure your pain is controlled and that you are recovering well. Many women, like Chipo, find they feel more alert and have fewer side effects than with general anaesthesia (where you're put to sleep completely).
Spinal anaesthesia is safe when performed by a qualified anaesthesiologist. It's effective and it allows mothers to welcome their babies in a calm, supported way.
Anaesthesiologists are often called the “silent heroes” of the operating theatre. You may not always see them in the spotlight, but they are always there — watching, adjusting, guiding, and caring.
“She gave me more than pain relief,” Chipo says. “She gave me peace of mind. I’ll never forget her.”
If you’ve had spinal anaesthesia before, share your story with us. And If you have questions about this anaesthetic technique feel free to ask in the comments.
We’re here to help you understand, feel safe, and be heard.
