Backache
Lower back pain is commonly experienced by women during pregnancy and in the early weeks after the birth of their baby. The relationship between backache and having an epidural is a controversial one. It has long been thought that having epidural was the direct cause of developing backache in up to one third of women. In the first few days after the birth this is probably so, but as far as long term backache, the picture is not so clear.
There is now mounting evidence that backache after an epidural may be more linked to the woman lying in an awkward position for a long period of time, rather than the actual procedure itself. As the woman's sensations are reduced (or removed) from the lower back with an epidural, it is hard for her to give feedback from any back discomfort. It may be that support people and caregivers have to be alert to this possibility and focus on the position the woman is lying in, moving her from side to side every hour or so without twisting her back. If the woman is not sleeping her partner or support person can massage her legs, back and feet to help relax the woman and stimulate her muscles.
Be aware that back pain is very common for many women after childbirth, especially due to the abdominal muscles being weakened. Whatever the cause the new mother should do postnatal exercises and take care with lifting and her posture. You can read more in back pain after the birth.
Slowing the labour
An epidural is known to slow or prolong both the 1st and 2nd stages of the labour. It is also known that it can contribute to the baby being less able to rotate from a posterior to an anterior position as they negotiate the birth canal, because of the pelvic floor being more relaxed.
The slowing of the labour significantly increases the chances of the woman needing an
oxytocin drip to
augment the labour. On average this chance increases by about 50% when an epidural is used.