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Pregnancy

How similar is a lumbar puncture to an epidural?

34 replies

Hayesdays · 22/08/2019 16:31

I had a lumbar puncture a few years ago and found it very painful. Are there any mums out there who have had one and also had an epidural for childbirth?

I'm wondering if there are any similarities between the two in terms of the way they are administered, did you find the lumbar puncture painful and was an epidurals painful too?!

I'm feeling very anti epidural because of my lumbar puncture experience so would love to hear from other mums please.

In a perfect world I'd love to go for the drug free route but I know this isn't always possible and I don't want to be scared of the epidural should I need it...Do I just need to suck it up, stop being a plonker and get on with it?! Hope that makes sense to somebody? TIA

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timshelthechoice · 23/08/2019 21:17

Dear god, Bab, that's fucking infuriating and dangerous, too! I had one of those leaks as an adult and it was horrific and I was old enough to really get it was just one of those things. Why on Earth does this happen? I think they should all be forced to have one themselves or do them on each other.

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timshelthechoice · 23/08/2019 21:18

Yeah, see, spinals are done by anaesthetists as well.

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Anaes · 23/08/2019 22:22

Neither a lumbar puncture nor an epidural need be painful. The trouble is that not all doctors performing these procedures are experienced at them, which I think is unfair. On Labour Ward the anaesthetisrs should be pretty good at these injections. I have had two LPs and both hurt less than the smallest drip the hospital keeps placed in my arm. For most people they should be quick procedures (maybe five minutes for a spinal and ten for an epidural). The chances of a persistent and nasty headache after each should be less than 1 in 100 at most. If an anaesthetist knows you have such a headache they are likely to offer a 'blood patch' a similar procedure where they take blood from you and put it into your back with full resolution of the headache in 75% on first attempt and 75% of the remainder on a repeat procedure. There's a 1 in 1000 chance of some minor nerve injury such as a number patch' on your leg. Most of these get better tho maybe 1 in 13000 persist longer than six months.
I hope that helps. Please don't be too afraid of these injections. If you want one and find it sore tell the doctor. If it is still sore you can always tell them to stop immediately and they MUST do so.
There's really good evidence based free advice on all aspects of pain relief in labour on //www.labourpains.com, the site of the Obstetric Anaesthetists Association.

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Anaes · 23/08/2019 22:25

I'd expect a lumbar puncture to be less sore than an epidural, and quicker. Unfortunately if you might have meningitis it is less likely you will have a doctor doing the procedure who does it often - and thus it can prove more uncomfortable and difficult.

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Hayesdays · 24/08/2019 08:39

Yes the lumbar puncture was for meningitis which I had an awful headache with anyway so I’m not sure if the LP contributed too or not.

I’m glad this thread may have helped a few other mums to be. There is very little information on old Dr Google about the similarities. Pretty much everything I read suggested a lumbar puncture should be numbed but sounds like that isn’t the case for many of us. I can’t imagine how a child would cope. I hope those who’s children have had them made a speedy recovery and aren’t traumatised by the experience like I was!

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Hayesdays · 31/05/2020 22:08

Just thought I’d update this in case it comes in useful for anyone else!

I had my baby back in November via emergency C-section at 36+2. It appears I have some tolerance to local anaesthetic as I found the spinal block very painful. It was worse than the contractions! Saying that, I would totally go through it again should I be lucky enough to have another baby. So if like me you are worried about the pain of an epidural/spinal block and the anaesthetic doesn’t work for you just think of the little bundle of cuteness you get at the end of it. It’s utterly worth it I promise...I would do it again without a doubt ❤️

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oohnicevase · 31/05/2020 22:17

Lumber punctures are supposed to be horrific . I've had an epidural and a spinal block and they don't hurt . You are numbed !

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ActuallyItsEugene · 31/05/2020 22:27

My lumbar puncture was horrendous (checking for a bleed.) They used about 3 shots of anaesthetic, misplaced the needle countless times and I cried and bit a pillow throughout.
I'm no wimp with pain either.
Caused a CSF leak and left me with a horrific headache (couldn't lift head of pillow or move) for a week.

I didn't feel my epidural. At all.
I had gas and air, the midwife held both my hands as I sat forward on the bed and it was done.
You just need to sit very still.

Good luck OP.

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maryd84 · 31/05/2020 22:56

I had a lumber puncture done a couple of years ago and it was the worst thing I've ever experienced in all my life.

The actual lumber puncture procedure was bad enough. (It was so uncomfortable I broke out in a cold sweat).

But it was the week and a half afterwards that was torture. I had a CSF leak and couldn't lift my head off the pillow without excruciating pain. The nausea and vomiting after it was also terrible.

I'm now pregnant with my first baby and terrified of the thoughts of an epidural. Is it as bad as a lumber puncture?