Epidural = Bad Back?

[nnetcbti]

Hi all,
I am pregnant with my second child. On my first child I chose to have an epidural, however since I had it I have been suffering from aches in the lower back.
Is it true that epidurals can cause back problems? I was considering having one if I needed it this time but now I am not so sure!

Any advice greatly welcomed,
Cheers all, Hugs,
Claire xxxx

 

[Abhijit]

Yes Claire, it could. When I was doing my birthplan I was warned by a midwife about epidurals and that a lot of women complain of lower back problems after having had one done.


Amber

 

[Teefrefsotsib]

A lot of women who don't have epidurals complain of back pain after pregnancy and childbirth too. I would have thought it was very hard to know whether the epidural is the cause.

Carrying around 20 odd pounds of babyand water etc for 9 months followed by hours of intense pushing is one obvious cause and probably the more likely reason.

 

[ElinoreLuvsMunkyLuvin]

Nozza...

Many women complain of back pain after pregnancy for a few months, but not for years after which is sometimes the case with epidurals...

amber

 

[Roko]

I don't think that is necessarily true. My wife and one of our friends have both suffered from chronic back pain caused by pregnancy for years afterwards. Neither had epidurals. My mother in law has had sciatica for 35 years from the birth of my wife.

What makes you say that the pain from pregnancy goes away after a few months but that from epidural doesn't? And how do you know which pain is caused by pregnancy/birth and which is being caused by epidural? How do you go about seperating the two causes?

I wouldn't be surprised if some people do get problems from epidurals - if the nerve is irritated it might start a nasty chain of events. But I think I would be correct in saying that childbirth or pregnancy are far more statistically likely reasons for back pain after childbirth with epidural.

This from a study in published in 2001 in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology:

"Utilizing two groups of patients, one of which received epidurals for their labor pain and the other which received pain relief in another form, the researchers compared the amount of backache at three months and then at twelve months. Interestingly, while the rate of back pain was high (about 20% at three months and about 35% at twelve months), there was no difference between the two groups.

This study lends more weight to the statement that backache is multifactorial. The high incidence of back pain in these patients suggests that back pain is real - but that it is due to other factors associated with pregnancy. In addition, it suggests that epidurals play no detectable role in the development of back pain."

It isn't the only study (others have less confident conclusions) but it is one of the most recent.

 

[sarah p]

Hi Claire,

I've had 2 epidurals and both times i've been given a strong warning that they can give you back ache afterwards.

Ive always suffered a little with my back and although I still get these pains no new ones thank goodness.

Hope this helps