spinal/back pain after labor

[slnkl]

is anyone having back pain, feels like its the spine after giving labor? i had the epidural, so could that be a factor as to why my back aches, since the needle was injected into my spine? i can't bend forward or backwards, making it hard for me to watch my own month old baby. any suggestions as to what it is and what i can do.???..

[turtlewomyn]

Yes, I have read that an epidural could cause lasting back pain.

I had a friend who felt that her spine got out of whack from the forces of labor (the hospital checked for damage from the epidural and found none). I recommended that she go to a chiropractor as soon as possible.

[chandasz]

This is a common side effect of epidurals.

[mom2p.m.]

Yes, my back hurt after giving birth and I got an epidural. It would hurt from the epidural location and down. For awhile after anytime I got tired or run down my back, in the epidural location, would hurt. It has been two years now and I don't notice as much. I don't know if it is something I have gotten use to or the pain has lessened with time, but I also see a chiropractor regularly. I think it has gotten better. I have known other women who have experienced the same thing. But if it gets real bad be sure to have it checked out.

[Sileree]

A few clients of mine who had epidurals reported back pain 2-6+ months later, unfortunately.

[applejuice]

Did the doctor who offered you the epidural tell you about this side effect?

Did the informed consent form have this possibility listed?

If not, you were not fully informed.

I would rather endure hours of labor than weeks or months of back pain from something that is designed to prevent the pain. Often the very drugs and procedures designed to prevent something will cause it down the line. That is allopathic medicine for you.

Even Dramamine, that anti-seasickness OTC drug, will cause nausea. Strange but true.

[STJinNoVa]

I had an epidural. (I'm also not sorry for that, after the most horrible back labor. It kept me from needing a cesarean, I'm quite sure, and I'd rather have had the epidural and some after-effects than have had a cesarean.)

I also have some back pain - catching/twinging sometimes, a longer-lasting ache in my mid-back other times.

Is it possible it's from the epidural? Sure. I was aware of that possibility. It was in all the research I did prior to going into labor and on the consent form I signed.

Is it possible it isn't? Of course. Just imagine the changes and challenges the body has endured over the preceding months, especially the back. All those months of carrying a growing baby, then labor and delivery, now carrying around an infant, sitting around nursing for long periods, possibly co-sleeping and contorting to nurse side-lying, carrying around an infant bucket if you use one (and stuffing the baby in the carseat in the car if you don't), maybe using a carrier of some sort, hauling around a new bag of paraphernalia, potentially carrying around some extra weight (especially if you're like me and can't lose weight while nursing). It's a wonder there's a mama in the whole world whose back doesn't hurt.

If it's affecting your ability to do what you need to do, it's time to change it. Chiropractic and massage might be a good idea. Gentle stretching exercises, yoga, stability-ball exercises.

If you use a carrier, try a different one. The wrap seems to aggravate the back pain, so I just bought an Ergo, and we'll see how well that works. I can't use the Snugli that was given to us at all. Consider using a stroller for walks for a little while. Make sure your body is supported well while you're nursing and while you're doing the other things you need to do.

Make sure you are getting enough rest as well. I hurt worst if I'm really tired or stressed out.

[Blueena]

I had lots of back pain after having my baby, but realized that I was also spending most of my time bent over, nursing, changing, car seats, carrying, folding laundry, plus I inherited 10 extra pounds in baby and in myself as well, so I think it can be attributed to the epidural maybe, but remember how your are living your life now too

[crazy_eights]

Originally Posted by chandasz

This is a common side effect of epidurals.

It's also a side effect of labor. I second the suggestion to visit a chiro.

[momileigh]

Originally Posted by Blueena

I had lots of back pain after having my baby, but realized that I was also spending most of my time bent over, nursing, changing, car seats, carrying, folding laundry, plus I inherited 10 extra pounds in baby and in myself as well, so I think it can be attributed to the epidural maybe, but remember how your are living your life now too

I agree. Very well could be the epidural, but hunching over to nurse (giving yourself "nursingback") isn't going to help. I agree w/ the chiropractor suggestions, perhaps see a CST, get some massage, and be sure not to hunch over! (Unlike some people, I advocate the use of pillows to bring a newborn up to your breast... the firmer the pillows the better.) These are things you can do something about.