Stitches, Epidural and nerve damage?

[Juicytoot287]

Hi everyone,

Coming up to 1 week Postpartum and my body feels horrific. In the morning I feel good but if I go for a nap (still trying to feel human after a traumatic 4 day stint in hospital) i wake up and my lower back kills. That is accompanied by my legs (particularly thighs) feeling numb and almost like they did coming off the epidural. I can move them etc. but they don't feel right at all.

Could this be linked to my epidural?
Midwives don't seem concerned but it terrifies me!

Has anyone else had this and when did it pass?

Yes I had this very recently. Did the anaesthetist come to debrief you after the epidural? The anaesthetist I spoke to said it was unlikely to be nerve damage and more likely to be due to being in the same position in labour for too long, but they have called me every day since (I’m now 14 days postpartum) to monitor it and I’m going in for a scan to check there isn’t any lasting damage.

They told me to call labour ward to speak to the anaesthetist at any time if I was worried - I think you should do that and see what they say.

Oh and do keep up with pain relief, alternate ibuprofen and paracetamol

@Nightmanagerfan Oh really. Is it getting better for you?
I told the midwives when I was there and all my community midwives since at my visits and they all just keep saying it's the after effects of the epidural and not to worry but it is difficult when they aren't the ones with their legs going numb 🤔

It’s gradually getting slightly better but I’m going to have the scan anyway to check everything is ok. The numbness was in my buttocks/lower back

@Nightmanagerfan Mine too and my thighs mostly. But it only comes in the evening once I nap on my side. Wondering if that is it?

I have this from a vaginal birth. Bilateral numbness but able to move normally etc. It's probably because I spent so long in one very unnatural position. Like I've squashed/bruised the nerves. I expect it will go back to normal in a few weeks.
Do you think yours might be positional too, rather than a direct result of the epidural?

@Millie50 that is interesting! The midwife seems to think it was the epidural but obviously due to that, I was in the same position for like 10 hours so could well be.

Have called for docs today so will hopefully get more answers. Feels weird to be worrying about my body for me again not the baby insideA