[hshifty]

I have been debating getting the epidual or not. The only reason I wouldnt is because I am scared it may give me migraines. I have migraines but only 2 since my pregnancy. I just think it would be horrible to get one in a hospital and a newborn. Any of you experience any bad side effects of the epidural?

[kblythe]

Both my mother and my best friend had horrible headaches after their epidurals, but it wasn't a migraine. Sometimes, an epidural can pierce the shaft surrounding the spinal column, causing fluid to leak out. The result is that your brain isn't cushioned, and you have a massive headache if you move at all. Fortunately, doctors can patch the area, and the headache goes away. Notwithstanding this side effect, my best friend had an epidural with her 2nd pregnancy, too. She didn't have any complications with her 2nd, either. So I guess, in the balance, she thought the risk was worth it.

k.

[allikat415]

There is a very low risk of getting a spinal headache from an epidural. Usually they are associated with spinal blocks. For this reason, after delivery your nurse will have you sit up slowly to help reduce the risk even more. I suffer from migraines terribly and I didn't have any side effects with DS. I have also had a spinal block and no side effects then either.

[JustPeachy]

I loved my epidural and didn't have any bad side effects at all! I was more than convinced after my water broke and the contractions picked up speed and strength quickly I couldn't have the epidural man show up fast enough!! I wound up with a c-section and my hospital keeps the epidural in for 24 hours after the surgery and gives you a pump. The only side effect I wound up with was some itching from the tape holding it in place.

[Aggie]

I suffer from migraines...very bad ones. That being said, I received an epidural and had no problems regarding headachs or migraines. The only problem I had with the epidural was nausea. I would get the epidural...just my opinion!

[Kellileanne]

My sister and I suffer from severe migraines. She did have one (really bad, even for us) after her second child and ended up back at the hospital for iv pain meds but didn't have one with her first. I didn't get the epidural so I can't give you my experience!

[LadyR]

My SIL is a doctor and she said that to avoid the headaches after the epidural, lie down straight (without a pillow) for 5 hours straight and drink atleast 2-3 litres of water. This balances the spinal liquid which is lost during the procedure.

[GEwifey]

I've gotten migraines and headaches since I was a child, I've had an epidural with both of my previous deliveries, and never had a headache after. It seems that you don't get migraines or headaches frequently, so I would think you should be ok and not have any problems with a headache/migraine after. I definitely plan on getting one with this delivery also.

[jenedens6102]

I didn't have any trouble with my epidural, other then I got it before I asked for it and in my opinion that is what stopped my labor. Make sure you are in full and active labor first. I didn't have a headache, didn't have issues with it only working on one side or the other. The only thing that happened was after my c-section (so I got both an epidural and an increased dose for my spinal) I was very shaky. However, I've seen this in two of my friends to as your adrenaline comes down after labor and delivery. Just do what you are comfortable with. There are other options out there for pain medication. Just make the best decision you can in the moment. The best advice I got prior to going in was "be flexible." Sometimes you just can't plan everything the way you'd like.