Spinal headache/blood patch PP? (And PIP)

[rooster222]

I had a spinal headache but didn't realize it until after I was discharged. I did the blood patch as an outpatient procedure and it helped very very quickly. (It was a really fast/easy fix.)

Feel better soon and congrats!

[yourmother]

I'm no help with the headache, but I hope it goes away quickly.

Your baby is so cute!!!

[daisy24342]

Coming over from MMM. I am so sorry you have to deal with this! My experience with this was awful and I had follow up complications but I required two blood patches which can is extremely unusual.


That said, I felt immediately better after the blood patch. They did not keep me an extra night.  the first patch didn't work after 12 hours and they did a second, which worked too,, but led to some issues. They actually did the second,, let me rest then discharged me. That part was quick.  

Hope it gets take care of soon so you can focus on your sweet new baby! Congrats!

[FastHands]

I have no idea what this is but holy cute bundle of baby!!! And of course I hope you feel better soon!

[Jalapeñomel]

I don't have any experience, but I forgot how adorable they look all swaddled up in those hospital blankets.

[noodleskooze]

I've had a blood patch after a lumbar puncture to draw spinal fluid. I think I had to lie supine for an hour or so after the blood patch, but I was fine after that.

[wildfloweragain]

My ob office wouldn't do the patch because "oh, that never happens anymore so I'm sure you don't have a spinal headache." Long story short I ended up chugging a ton of water, like 3x what I was already drinking from being pp and nursing, to keep the fluid up, and it healed on its own in about a week to 10 days.

ETA: I'm so sorry you're going through this, that is some godawful pain.
Sent from my SM-G900V using proboards

[vicky]

Oh my goodness can I snuggle her forever? Is the ML Baby Autumn GTG before May 19??

[specialk]

Feel better! I confess I have no idea about the headache and am her for the cute PIP.

[nursewife]

You poor thing. Those headaches can be so debilitating. I've seen 1 person who had it and the blood patch worked wonders.

[HiC]

Sorry your head is killing you. You baby is just perfect. Mazel!

[motzie]

Yes. The headache is brutal, omg. I had two. The first blood patch the guy was a moron. He insisted on trying to take blood from my dehydrated hand, and only used about a third of what he should have so it didn't stick. I was fine and then it came back about 36 hours later. I had to go back after I was discharged for a second patch, this time from the head of anesthesiology.

I will say the only thing I raised a stink about with #2 was getting the most experienced anesthesiologist on staff. I was not willing to mess around again. Apparently I have a very shallow spinal cord.

[motzie]

Apr 18, 2015 6:35:40 GMT -5 AutumnRose25 said:

Anyone have a spinal headache post epidural and get the blood patch? How long before you felt better and did they keep you an extra night?

I should have quoted in my other post. You will feel instantly better. You have to lay down for two hours after (this may vary) but then it is gone. 

My discharge timeline was different because DD was in the nursery with jaundice, so they said they were keeping me for the headache but it was more because they knew I wasn't leaving without her. 

[underwaterrhymes]

Ugh. That stinks. Definitely do the blood patch. I hope you feel better soon.

She's beautiful.

[Elsa]

Im distracted by that beautiful baby!!!!!
I have no advice but I hope you feel better soon!

[sparkythelawyer]

What a cute baby! I hope you feel better!

[whiskeyandwine]

You know I have no idea about the headache, but I just came in for the PIP. You've been in my thoughts this a.m.! 

[spwspw]

Ugh, so sorry you're going through this.  I had a spinal headache, it was seriously the worse pain I've ever experienced in my life, including contractions/labor.  The blood patch worked almost immediately, like within the hour.  

ETA: They did the blood patch the day after DS was born and didn't keep me any longer.  

[captainmel]

I needed a blood patch after a spinal tap. It was so much better after I got it! I was throwing up every time I stood up because it hurt so badly. The blood patch is the way to go for sure.

[bonquiqui]

Blood patches offer immediate relief. Good luck! Congratulations, she is adorable!

[raylongivens]

If you haven't already, get the blood patch! I waited weeks - it got somewhat better on it's own, and then got worse again. Apparently you can reopen the hole with too much activity.

As others have said, you'll feel instantly better, but take it as easy as you can for 2-3 days. good luck!

[youbetcha]

I had one but didn't get the patch. They told me to drink a Coke and take an excedrin. It worked and I didn't need the patch. Something about the caffeine.

[spidervain]

I'm late to the post, but I had a spinal headache with my first. I couldn't sit up for the first 2 days after delivery until I got a caffeine IV. It was the most miraculous thing ever.