Headache after epidural/spinal?

[bebespain]

After having a CS with DS I developed the most horrendous headache a few days later which I put down to a side effect from the epidural. (Had read about it on the Net - nobody warned me)The pain lasted for 3 days and was almost worse than the pain from the CS.

It looks lke I´ll be having another CS in a few months time and wondered if I am likely to experience this again...? Anybody any experience of this/words of wisdom...?

Sounds like you had a dural tap. Absolute hell my anaesthetist knew she had pierced through on third attempt and fessed up. From about 24 hrs after birth I was flat out could not move with pain. Worst lasted about a week, residual pain and meds for three weeks. Makes childbirth look like a walk in the park.

I am 23 weeks with no.2. have been assured that unless you have a spinal problem (that you would know about i.e. serious) it shouldn't happen again but I know someone who had it twice so i'm sceptical.

will refuse all attempts to persuade me to have epidural unless I need induced for pre eclampsia again cos to be honest then its nescessary

I think they list the risks as 1:150. Insist on consultant doing the epidural based on your previous experience accept nothing but the most experienced qualified person in the hospital

My friend had the spinal headache after her first baby and it was absolute hell. she also had an epidural. During her second C-section she had a spinal block which and had no issues from it.

If you have a spinal you need to stay lying down flat for hours after, this should help. 4 hours ish.

Didn't have this with DD but did have it after a botched lumbar puncture when I was 19.
I can totally sympathise with you not wanting to go through it again.

Are you able to chat with your consultant about why you may have had the problem? Ask if there is any way of making the epi/spinal block easier for you? It might just make you feel more in control of the situation.

Also I agree with the lying down thing. I should have been flat on my back for 12 hours+ as they knew there was a problem but a helpful nurse got me up after 4....not good

Hoping for a stress-free delivery for you xxx

Thanks ladies for all the advice

I see the consultant next week so shall be armed with plenty of questions.

yup I had this after my epidural and needed a blood patch . it was a botched epidural which caused it and my fluid was leaking out.
The blood patch just involved taking blood from my arm and injecting it into my spine..yuck