epidural side effects?

[boomba]

Ok so it has been 13 months since i gave birth to my DS.
My birth didn't end up how i would have liked, but that's a long story.
I ended up with an epidural, episiotomy and forceps, not the nicest way to experience your first birth.

Anyway when I had the epi my left leg was very "dead" I couldn't walk till the next morning cause it was still tingly. Now a year on and i still get a dead leg and lots of tingling and it just doesn't feel right sometimes? It can be really painful sometimes. Should i see a Dr or is this quite common?

Thanks x

[BellyBelly]

Epidurals: Real Risks For Mother & Baby by Dr Sarah Buckley

Someone I know had to have a patch as the dura was punctured.

I think whats not often talked about is the risk for the baby. Epidurals lower blood pressure, hence blood flow and oxygen to the baby. I know several babies who have crashed after an epi.

I'd always suggest getting anything unusual checked out, for peace of mind at the very least.

[boomba]

Thanks Kelly. I am here in tears now cause I so wanted a wonderfull experience and I didnt and now I have this to worry about! that article was great but made me sad thinking i wasnt brave enough

I will have a an empowering birth next time

[BellyBelly]

It's very hard to know everything first time around, so many of us here on BB have had crappy first births, myself included... but loads of us have had awesome, empowering second births. The system lets us down, but we're all working hard to change that, there is a rally tomorrow for the maternity review. You did what you knew at the time, there's nothing more you can do but that... you wanted the best for you and the best for baby and that's all that matters. If you are struggling with your birth though, de-brief as much as you can and even look for someone who does professional birth de-briefing. Helps a great deal x

[MantaRay]

Amber, like you I didn't know enough going into my first birth and ended up with a disappointing experience with an epidural and forceps. I did go on to have a fantastic second birth after all I learnt on here. Please don't be hard on yourself. It was not your fault you were let down by the system. ANd you are definitely not alone

[anrosnia]

i was also wandering the same thing, after 10 weeks I still get tingling in my legs especially my calfs, and my right foot is extremely painful which began the very first time I stood up after birth (granted it was 12 hours later due to a post birth bleed), i was really mad because the hospital kept saying that has nothing to do with the epidural, however after I kept complaining they did a neurological cjeck and said there was no nerve damage. My GP thinks different and says they may have gone in too far and caused some damage to the nerves which will heal in time, but like you sometimes my legs just feel simply strange. This was my third, and my third epidural and no other birth was like this, they kept topping up the epidural, and when I was said no more the midwife said I was mad because I had been induced the labour was already well advanced and I would be in heaps of pain, my answer pain I understand this complete paralyses from the neck down I do not, lucky I refused more my baby was ready to come to out and it was face first, I had to push real hard due to his chin crowning not his head, something I never would have done numb.
But alas he is healthy and beautiful and I am assured over time the tingling and shivering sensations will go and I will be ready for another (epidural free this time)