Epidural?

[proudparent88]

I have really bad back problems, four deteriorating discs one in the clear bottom of my back is also herniated and laying on the left side of my nerve roots which 3 out of 4 surgeons want to operate on. I have never had an epidural and don't want to get one if I don't absolutely have to. But I don't want to go in uneducated on it a little bit. What can any of you tell me about the process and things when it comes to an epidural?

 

[donnarobinson]

My epidural was in qucikly , I regret it tho I get really bad back ache now x

 

[proudparent88]

My epidural was in qucikly , I regret it tho I get really bad back ache now x

See that's what worries me is since I have back problems I don't know how it would affect it. Before I got pregnant I was prescribed oxycodone for the pain five times a day it was 15 mg which is a high dose and gabapentin which is an anti-inflamatory pain reliever and they didn't even take it away. So it does concern me.

 

[Jonesy25]

I have not had any issues since my epidural in 2010 it was an emergency while i was 9.5cm dilated and pushing, needed forceps so had epidural for theatre. Am even opting for one this time!

 

[Jonesy25]

Ive had a disc that slips out slightly and back in since i was a teen but its just the same no less or worse x

 

[x__amour]

I had an epidural with my first. I found it a very painful experience and while it worked fully with no complications, I suffer with a lot of back pain now. It's to the point if anyone touches my back, I will shoot up in the air. I'm terrified to get an epidural again but it's a huge possibility with having a possible c-section once again.

 

[Srrme]

I had an Epidural with my first. It went in quick and easy, but I had back pain for months afterward. I couldn't sleep on my back for ages.

 

[chulie]

I had an epidural and had zero issues.....BUT...it's ladies like you that make me hesitate to say how great it was....because you already have back issues I feel like you'd be one of the women to say you had long term issues because of your epidural because you already have such a delicate back to begin with......if that makes sense???? I just mean that the epidural is a needle in your spine....so unless your completely healthy in that department I would make sure to talk to your dr and get all the facts on how it "could" affect you.

 

[Srrme]

I had an epidural and had zero issues.....BUT...it's ladies like you that make me hesitate to say how great it was....because you already have back issues I feel like you'd be one of the women to say you had long term issues because of your epidural because you already have such a delicate back to begin with......if that makes sense???? I just mean that the epidural is a needle in your spine....so unless your completely healthy in that department I would make sure to talk to your dr and get all the facts on how it "could" affect you.

I don't have back problems, and still had back pain after the Epidural.

 

[BunnyN]

I think an epidural can be difficult to give if you have deteriorating discs so I would make sure you discuss that with your doctor if you think you might get one. I had a friend with spine problems who was supposed to get one for an operation recently (not pregnancy related) and they could not get the needle in the right place so had to give up and give her a general.

 

[Noodlebear]

I had an epidural and had zero issues.....BUT...it's ladies like you that make me hesitate to say how great it was....because you already have back issues I feel like you'd be one of the women to say you had long term issues because of your epidural because you already have such a delicate back to begin with......if that makes sense???? I just mean that the epidural is a needle in your spine....so unless your completely healthy in that department I would make sure to talk to your dr and get all the facts on how it "could" affect you.

I would have to agree somewhat with this. This forum reaches people all over the world so you're bound to have various people who have had bad experiences with virtually everything but I can list quite a few people I know who claim to have had problems since having an epidural and the chances are so minimal that I'm not convinced all of them are actually connected to the epidural. You have to remember that your body goes through so many changes during pregnancy and labour that you're likely to feel some aches and pains for a while after regardless of how your labour goes. Studies here in the UK have shown no increased risk with epidurals and back pain so honestly I wouldn't worry yourself about it. If the professionals felt that your body would benefit, and you felt comfortable with the idea, I'd go for it.

I had one because they thought I had DVT and my leg was in absolute agony, it only worked on one side of my body BUT if the need arose I'd still opt for one again without hesitation.

 

[bumpbear]

I had an epi. I had gone in to the labour ward determined not to get one because I was frightened of the thought of something in my spine and I wanted an unmedicated birth, but at 7cm dilated, I caved. And it was fab. I had minimal pain until it was time to push and even managed a nap to rest up a bit so I had bounds of energy for the last 90 minutes of pushing (when the epi was turned off and i felt every little thing).

I had back pain afterwards for a few months, but every woman who has had a baby has back pain as her spine goes back in to place so I dont think it was epidural related? Anyway, it was not bad enough for me to consult a doctor about it and I felt completely normal again after a couple of months.

I would have an epi again. In fact, I am frightened at the prospect of labour without one!

In your case, I would definitely ask the doctor about the pros and cons because of your unique back issues. I dont think anyone, even those who have had an epi with similar back problems would be able to advise you properly because it all depends on your medical history.

 

[Teri7489]

I have two slipped discs but was told that an epidural wouldn't cause any issues as the space they put it in is different to where my problems were. I know feel that is total rubbish. My epidural failed and I have been in agony since. I have to take DHC 60mg every single day in order to function. I now really regret having it. Sorry to be blunt, just being honest xxx

 

[melfy77]

I had 100% back labor with DD so I ended up getting an epidural. Best decision...EVER!!! It was quick, didn't hurt one bit and was 100% effective. I was up and taking a shower an hour after birth I did have occasional back pain when they inserted the needle but it only lasted for a few days and wasn't really painful. I am currently in early labor with this baby and so far looks like I'm gonna have back labor again; I will not hesitate to get the epidural again

 

[Eleanor ace]

I'd find out whether you'll be allowed an epidural. With my 1st I was "strongly discouraged" from having an epidural (which was fine with me as the thought of it made me want to pee my pants ) due to back issues. If an emergency delivery had been needed they might have given me an epidural or I'd have had a c-section under GS. And my back wasn't as bad as yours sounds hugs: for it by the way, sounds really sore ).
I had a spinal after my first as I got stitched in theatre. I had pain and back ache in the site for a few months afterwards but it wasn't too bad.

Someone said that all women have back ache after having a baby- I really don't think that's true. I didn't have back ache with my 2nd, and with my 1st I only had it directly over the site of my spinal. I asked my friends at group yesterday, of the 8 with babies 2 had back ache after having them. 1 of those had an epidural and one didn't. Those with toddlers couldn't remember

 

[Perplexed]

I have a slipped disc in my lower back. Prior to pregnancy I had pains from time to time and I knew it was the disc. And I'm familiar with what triggers my back pain.

I had epidural. Didn't feel it go in and had no complications. The rest of my labor wasn't 100% pain free as the pushing hurt a little.

However, I suffered no new back pains. My old back pains do return from time to time but only if I've triggered them (being bent over the bed to swaddle LO as an example).

A girl at work said she developed permanent back pain after her c section because of either epidural or spinal. It didn't discourage me for some reason.

As others said, best if you could first find out if you can have epidural. Good luck.

 

[bamm]

I had an epi with DD. It failed repeatedly and I pushed her out with no pain relief. (but honestly the posterior cx with inducement were the worst part) but I couldn't lie on my back for a good couple of years after her, and it's still tender. I remember I went for a swim about 6 months after DD's birth and my back hit a jet - ouch!!!

I am probably asking for an elect caesar this time around, but I'm requesting it's spinal only, no epi. I don't want another that will screw up again.

 

[bumpbear]

An interesting article about the possible consequences of pregnancy and labour on your back:

https://www.babycenter.com/0_postpartum-back-pain-how-to-get-relief_1152191.bc

 

[BunnyN]

I didn't have back pain after the delivery so not everyone does. I didn't have an epidual. One reason I knew I didn't want one is that a local anesthetic for dental work damaged a neve in my face permanently so the idea of anesthetic in my back scares me even if side effects are rare. They say an epidural 'shouldn't' cause back pain but so many women are convinced it has for them that it makes me wonder. Most of the time the studies are done by drug companies so it's not exactly like they are going to be in a hurry to prove a link.

 

[Pandora0814]

I had a epi. I loved it. I did not feel anything. My doctor actually had to tell me when to really push because I could not feel any contractions or pressure. I would do it again. It helped me ease through my labor and kept me calm.

I was in labor for 10 hours and I only felt about 1 hour of real contractions and that was when they just started.