QuestionI delivered 1 child in '05 naturally with pitocin & 1 child in '06 with epidural. After delivering my 1st child I felt like a million bucks. BUT after my 2nd child this past June, natural with epidural, my midback, sides, knees, legs & feet constantly hurt. it has been 6 mos & the pain has not let up.
What can I do to correct this?
AnswerBased on the current literature, it seems unlikely that your pain is directly related to your epidural. Recent studies have shown that epidurals do not increase back pain postpartum. There is a very small (1:10,000) risk of nerve damage, but if your pain is bilateral (both sides), this also seems unlikely. There is also a small risk of long-term neuralgias, which sounds closer to what you may be experiencing, but I was unable to uncover any treatment options. This would be something best discussed with your doctor.
It is possible that you may have a misalignment in your spine that could be pinching some nerves. Pregnancy by itself, of course, puts a lot of strain on the lower back, and pushing a baby out while flat on your back with an epidural is just about the worst position for your body to be in. Chiropractic care may be able to help. I recommend seeing a drop-table chiropractor, rather than one who only uses the activator method, for more immediate and visible results. Give the chiropractic a few weeks to work, although you may be surprised to see excellent results after the first visit.
You should always check with your doctor, as this could also be a symptom of something completely unrelated to your childbirth.
