The epidural may be increased for further loss of sensation and muscle relaxation should this become necessary. Your labor nurse will provide you with a warm blanket. Occasionally a headache may occur, if during insertion of the needle, the covering of the spinal fluid was punctured. Your labor nurse and partner will assist you in holding very still during needle placement. An Epidural blood patch may be necessary in some cases.
Some women complain of post-partum backache following an epidural.
The backaches do not appear to be a direct affect of the epidural. Muscle relaxation in combination with the removal of pain allows the mother to remain in positions for lengthy periods of time, resulting in strain to her back muscles. A rare occurrence is the affect to the chest wall muscles, making the mother feel short of breath. You may be given oxygen by nasal prongs or mask to help relieve this feeling. Some labors may be slowed very slightly by the use of an Epidural.