Post epidural back ache?

[MrsCK]

I gave birth 9 days ago and had several attempted epidurals which resulted in a failed epidural only partly working and several attempted spinal blocks with the last attempt being successful. since then I've not been able to walk very well, constant pain and stiffness in my back. can't get a gp appointment until Monday so wondering if until then anyone can offer any advice?

Hi. I'm an anaesthetists and do quite a bit of maternity ... Sorry to hear you had a v tricky time with epidurals/spinals. Usually this sort of pain would be due to bruising around area of attempted insertion, fairly common and the more tricky it was to get in the more likely the area is a bit bruised and inflamed around the bony bits in your back. You can feel this fairly deep inside unlike a bruise on skin. I would say take regular paracetamol and ibuprofen unless allergic, keep moving as much as possible so you don't cease up and it should improve on own in another week or so. Things to look out for would be back pain that goes down your legs, any numbness/tingling in your legs, severe headache with it or high temp. In which case I would bypass GP and speak straight to your maternity ward so they can get the obstetric anaesthetists reassess you. Hope that helps! And congrats on your new baby!

It could be your body adjusting to no longer having a baby inside it of course... It's quite a big and sudden change in your weight distribution, so it can cause pain.

Thank you lendi I am very bruised at the base of my back so think that must be it. I had a day of resting which did not help at all! so planning to be more mobile now :)

Hi OP

I second what's been said. I had a lot (about 10!) "attempted incisions" for my CS and they felt like a bruise in my bones for a week or two. It was fairly unpleasant but not very painful.

I had no problems with mobility though. Sounds like your ligaments and your back are going back to normal after your pregnancy... but you might mention it to your midwife or health visitor?

Congratulations BTW!