Epidural

Ive had 3 epidurals and have never experienced any back problems and will be having a fourth

I heard the same thing, but it's not the same for every mama. I highly recommend working with a doula or having your significant other attend birthing classes with you because you really have to prepare for an un medicated birth ; mentally and physically. I had a home birth and it wouldn't have been possible without my douala and husband.

@Bethan that is a relief to hear! I’ve only heard that once & all my other friends have never mentioned back problems so I figured it was a possibility but not common

I've had 2 epidurals 12 years apart, most recent one being in January. I've not had any back pain caused by my epidurals. I intend to get one for any future labor and delivery.

I had an epidural with my first and still have back pain 10 years later. I had an unmedicated water birth with my last 2. I didn't want to make my back pain worse. The way I see it is a day of pain or risk a life of pain.

It's possible but doesn't always happen. I had an epidural and my back feels fine. I have scoliosis, they had a lot of trouble getting the needle in the right place, ended up trying multiple times and wiggling it around. I didn't have any soreness or pain after everything wore off. Mine did only work on my right side which we did blame on my scoliosis. They offered to try again but at that point I was having contractions close together and I didn't want to risk not sitting still or moving the tube and having no relief at all. If you decide to get the epidural, don't be afraid to tell them if you have pain on either side when they test it. It means they aren't in a good enough spot.

I was scared to get it but honestly best freaking decision I made. Although it felt really weird not feeling my legs and it for some reason made me so sleepy/highish?

Yeah my bestie. She’s aways complaining of back pain and she blames it on the epi because it wasn’t there when she was pregnant, it came after her birth. So much so it’s really putting her off from having another kid. Here in Aus you have a to sign a form while you’re in excruciating pain, saying that any short term or long term effects caused by epi is not their onus or responsibility hence hospital cannot ever be sued, it’s taken at your own risk basically.

I’ve had back trouble for the last 9 months after mine. It took 3 attempts to get it in and then it didn’t work. I’d never have another. I’m mad at myself because I was adamant I’d never have one but caved😐. I can feel the exact point where it went in.

@Kellie Yeah here in America you have to sign a form as well. It really is at your own risk. It's not just back pain either. You can get epidural headaches as well. It just wasn't worth it to me after my first.

I had 2 epidurals, absolutely no long lasting side effects. The back pain and also headaches are a possible side effect, but I haven't experienced that. I did get very itchy with the second one which is also common, but the itchiness was 1000% worth it in order to get the pain relief. Of course there's no guarantee you won't get the bad side effects, they happen to somebody, but my understanding is it's rare. If it goes well, the epidural is in my opinion 1000% worth it.

My cousin had epidurals with all her kids. They always failed to even work AND messed up her back. With her first, they re-stuck her with the giant ass needle 3 times. The fail was due to her body's resistance to the drug I guess? Idk, but that was enough to put me off of them I just took a course on natural delivery and set my mind to it. 2 kids, no interventions, no tears, no drugs. And I'd do it again... If I were to have another baby. If you go natural I highly recommend counter pressure on your hips and a tub of your choice of delivery place has that option . For me I delivered in hospital so I couldn't birth in the tub but they let me sit in it for a while beforehand and it greatly helped with contractions

It's possible but not a guarantee. I have never had any back pain from my previous epidural. I loved my epidural.....I got induced and sat at 1 cm for 24 hours, made it to 3 cm and midwife recommended epidural to let me get some sleep.......3 cm at epidural placement and then 10 cm an hour later 😂

Mine only worked on 1 side of the body but I'd still do it again it was such a relief 😮‍💨 walked around with a bandaid on by back where the epi was for about 1 week afterwards because I forgot it was there and never saw it and my husband thought it had to stay on for a while and therfore never said anything for the longest time 😂

I have had three and no issues. I might get one with my fourth but might try without this time.

My sisters told me to avoid it if possible because they felt like it hurt more in the long run

Yes my bestie has had back problems ever since she gave birth to her first 4 years ago. She also had very significant tearing because she couldn’t tell how hard she was pushing. She didn’t have a epidural with her second and had no tearing. Still has back issues Evidence based birth has a good pain management series if you’re considering your options https://evidencebasedbirth.com/category-pain-management-series/

My doctor actually said the pain is more likely from delivery itself rather than the epidural

i’d say it’s possible but not common. I had back pain for probably a month after having baby but it was very localised right to the spot I got the needle. I imagine it was just bruising

I’ve had two and haven’t had any back pain due to the epidural, just normal after having kids and starting to get old back pain 😆

I have never experienced back pain from my epidural

Everyone’s pain tolerance and situation is different. Personally once my contractions started every minute (after being induced) I was begging to get epidural even though I came to deliver with the idea I would highly prefer no epidural. And I luckily didn’t get any back issues

I went to school with a girl whose mom was in a wheelchair from a botched epidural. I have scoliosis, so I was terrified of getting an epidural. I thought they would mess up and paralyze me. I'm fine. I never had any back pain or any side effects. I never want another one, though. They still scare me.

Tbh when I had my daughter she is 7 now but when I had her my back never hurt then 3 years later I have bad back pain 😔 and I’m 26 years old

Had 3 kids, 3 epidural and no back pain. But obviously we are all different and things always affects us differently.

I’ve had two and never experienced any back problems

I had one, and it messed up my back. The chiropractor points it out every time. It still gets tight and locks up after 13 years. Never got another.

I had back ache for about 9months PP but no long lasting effects

I had an epidural with my first and will definitely be getting it with my second. I haven’t had any back pain 🙏🏼

My epidural was horrible. I required emergency c-section and was poked 7 times and it was a mess in the delivery room. The anesthesiologist was rushing to get to another delivery. Now, I have the worst back pain if I walk too long and I can’t hold my baby too long while walking either. My delivery plan was to go without it, but each body is different so there might be no reaction or side effects with you.

My back hurt for a bit initially but then it got better. Back is fine now

@Bianca same

I had 1 and no issues at all, I have said I want to try without it this time but guessing will decide on how I cope with the pain again

I had 3 placed and failed then a spinal blocker for an emergency c section after (all the same birth) yes it did hurt quite a lot and it was a problem for about 6 months pain wise and bending forward hurt a lot to begin with, it’s now dulled down and is only if I have sat in the wrong position too long or have over done it it’s more of an ache x

I had the epidural but no back issues. I think back issues are just very common in general so probably not correlated

@PJ It tells you in the paper work that you have to sign to get an epidural that you can end up with back problems. I know %100 that my back pain is from my epidural.