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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

problem after epidural

23 replies

grandmaagain · 13/08/2011 21:11

please can someone help me to understand what has happened to my DD? she has had to be readmitted into hospital after the epidural hole has not healed properly leaving her with a dreadful headache.I am really worried because I have never heard of this complication before

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mamalovesmojitos · 13/08/2011 21:35

bumping for you. I have no idea, had a quick google but couldn't find much. I'm sure she'll be fine and is in the right place. Maybe someone else will see this and be along soon with experience. Try not to worry.

Original poster

grandmaagain · 13/08/2011 21:38

thanks mama I appreciate your concern I have googled it but it is so much better having a conversation with someone who knows what has happened through their own experience

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mamalovesmojitos · 13/08/2011 21:42

Yes, it really is better. Mn is such a mine of information surely someone else will post. I hope your daughter feels better quickly. Also, congratulations on your new grandchild. Have a and keep an eye on the thread .

VivaLeBeaver · 13/08/2011 21:44

Hi, I'm a midwife. It sounds like she has a dural tap. It does cause a bad headache, is worse on standing. It can be easily fixed, the dr will get some blood from her and basically reinject that Into the hole to make a blood patch. This kind of clogs up the hole and stops any fluid leaking out that shouldn't be leaking out.

It's not very common and in six years I've only seen it once. I'm sure she will be home soon. There shouldn't be any problems once the blood patch has worked.

BustyStClaire · 13/08/2011 21:46

They warn you before you have the epi it can cause dreadful headache, which passes over time. I have 3 kids, 3 epis, no problems. I am certain she will be home soon. xxx

Original poster

grandmaagain · 13/08/2011 21:46

viva she has"nt mentioned a blood patch just said they have put her on a drip? thank you for answering i should have said that first!

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JessKM · 13/08/2011 21:49

Hey, sorry to hear about her experience, what a shame to be re-admitted so soon after birth, but I found this leaflet that explains it, it claims to be quite common so I wouldnt worry too much, and it says here that every 1 in 100 gets it, so im sure theres loads of MNetters that can share.

post dural headache leaflet

GOOD LUCK AND CONGRATS

VivaLeBeaver · 13/08/2011 21:54

Sounds like they're treating it conservatively to see if it resolves. They will mostly resolve on their own but will normally take longer. Bed rest and hydration can help to improve the symptoms. If she doesn't improve tomorrow she ought to ask the drs if they're considering a blood patch and if not why not. I'm sure they have their reasons but it's worth her asking.

Hopalongcassidy · 13/08/2011 21:55

I had this - variously called a spinal or epidural headache or dural tap to us - after my first birth. It was really grim and everyone said howrare it was. The anaesthetist advised drinking anything caffeinated would help as apparently this helps the fluid regenerate quicker. He suggested red bull, though I had some cans of coke as wasnt sure that was compatible with breastfeeding.

I had a blood patch but was (again) apparently incredibly unusually unlucky as it didn't work. The headache did subside over couple ofweeks and gradually I could spend more time upright. No long term effects at all, and had another epidural with no probs at all with next birth.

I do hope your daughter is ok. What helped me was people helping with the baby so I was still with him and saw everything he was doing even if I couldn't do things like nappies myself. Good luck!

Original poster

grandmaagain · 13/08/2011 21:58

thank you all I really do appreciate the time and trouble you have taken for me.I will mention to her about the blood patch tomorrow if she is no better.good to hear they do resolve themselves eventually

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Original poster

grandmaagain · 14/08/2011 16:18

we have been allowed to see her today the hospital are giving her 48hrs on a drip and probably going to do a blood patch tomorrow. thank fully apart from bored she is ok and Daddy is coping well with baby who is thriving so far.

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fluffywhitekittens · 14/08/2011 19:26

Glad to know she's doing ok x

Original poster

grandmaagain · 15/08/2011 16:49

well she has had blood patch today but still has the headache. is this a sign that it has"nt worked?

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VivaLeBeaver · 15/08/2011 18:24

To be honest I don't know how quickly the headache should resolve though I would have thought it wouldn't be instant.......maybe take a few hours.......? Hope she does start to feel better soon. If the blood patch doesn't work they can always do a second.

Original poster

grandmaagain · 15/08/2011 20:03

thanks viva your continuing help is very comforting

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VivaLeBeaver · 15/08/2011 20:14

Glad to be of help. She will be alright. It's just must be so frustrating and annoying for you all, especially her that when she wants to be enjoying her new baby she's having all this instead. Hopefully she'll be looking at a coupleof days rather than a couple of weeks.

Original poster

grandmaagain · 15/08/2011 20:29

she had problems conceiving.
HG all through her pregnancy.
a very difficult delivery.
and now this! it just does not seem fair that one person should suffer so much

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cowboylover · 15/08/2011 20:53

Just to send a virtual hug over to you and your DD.

A friend of mine had the blood patch and think it was around 12 hours before it started working but that's only from memory a while back so may not be accurate.

Boosaphena · 16/08/2011 11:09

I had a dural tap after a spinal. I was totally devastated as similarly to you daughter I had a lot of issues in pg. When I had the blood patch it was almost immediate relief. I felt so so much better. Had a cracking backache for a few weeks but was able to sit up and engage in life again. If it hasn't worked I would really urge her to try and get it redone. I don't know if that's possible, but I feel like someone stole the first 2 weeks of my sons life from me, its difficult to move past. Xx

Original poster

grandmaagain · 16/08/2011 17:51

well she has been allowed to go home today and tells me she is feeling "loads better" I am afraid to get too excited I am just going to keep my fingers crossed that This time she is ok. we are going to let her rest and not go and visit for a few days so we shall have to rely on text for news.

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VivaLeBeaver · 16/08/2011 21:50

Glad to hear that it sounds like she's on the mend.

Boosaphena · 16/08/2011 22:30

Glad to hear she sounds better... I wouldn't stay too far away-I needed quite a lot of support to get back on top of things and feel a bit more in control. Tell her to go easy on her back tho, it might be quite tender.

Original poster

grandmaagain · 16/08/2011 23:23

thanks all,
DD is very lucky to have an absolutley fabulous DH who is looking after her and baby very very well

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