Advice after your nerve block for surgery
On this page…
Introduction
You have been given this leaflet because you received an epidural or spinal anaesthetic, either for pain relief during labour, or for anaesthetic in the operating theatre.
The aim of this leaflet is to alert you to the symptoms to look out for in the days and weeks following your discharge from hospital that may indicate that you have a complication from the procedure, and to provide you with our contact details to arrange for you to be assessed if required. The information below applies to both epidural and spinal procedures.
The anaesthetist will have discussed the possible complications of epidural pain relief or spinal anaesthesia prior to the procedure. Complications such as headache may occur in up to 1 in 100 cases and may need to be assessed by a medical professional. More serious complications such as bleeding or infection are rare (ranging from 1 in 50 000 to 1 in 200 000) but need to be diagnosed early for prompt treatment to be initiated.
Assessment after removal of epidural catheter spinal anaesthetic
In the hours after an epidural or spinal anaesthetic injection, the midwife will check to ensure that you do not have any residual numbness or weakness of your legs from the action of the drugs used. They will ask you to move your legs and examine you to make sure that the sensation in your legs has returned to normal. It is important to remember that some deliveries or operations can cause altered sensation in the legs and so any changes experienced may be as a result of this and not the epidural or spinal anaesthetic injection. If you do have altered sensation your team will discuss this with you.
Headache
It is common to experience headache after giving birth. This can be due to a combination of tiredness, dehydration and disruption to normal eating patterns. However, after an epidural or spinal injection, there is up to a 1 in 100 risk of developing what is known as a ‘post-dural puncture headache’ (PDPH).
PDPH usually develops within a few days of the spinal or epidural procedure but may take up to a week to appear. It is most commonly experienced over the forehead and/or back of the head. It is worse when standing, sitting or straining and better when lying down flat. You may also experience nausea, neck pain and a dislike of bright lights.
What should I do if I develop this type of headache?
If your headache develops while you are still in hospital, alert your midwife so that you can be assessed and advised by one of the anaesthetists during your stay. If the headache occurs after you have gone home, you should drink plenty of water (some patients find tea and coffee helpful), take regular paracetamol (4 times a day) and ibuprofen (3 times a day) and try to rest as much as possible. This is often sufficient, and the headache subsides within a few days. If you are still having visits at home from your midwife, discuss your symptoms with them.
However, if the headache persists or gets worse, we may advise a specialist treatment called an epidural blood patch which will need to take place in the hospital. If you feel that this is the case, please contact us via the MAMAS Line phone number given at the end of this leaflet so that we can arrange assessment and treatment if necessary.
Other symptoms
It is rare to develop any other problems following an epidural or spinal procedure but if you experience any of the following symptoms as a new problem within a month it could be a sign of a more serious complication. Please contact us via the MAMAS Line phone number provided as soon as possible so that arrangements can be made for you to be seen on the ward or to attend the emergency department.
- Redness, pus, tenderness or pain in your back where the epidural or spinal was inserted.
- Feeling generally unwell despite all seeming to be well with any caesarean wound or stitches, if you had them.
- High temperature, neck stiffness, headache.
- Numbness and/or weakness in your legs/inability to weight bear.
- Difficulty passing urine or being unable to control when you have your bowels open.
PLEASE GET IN TOUCH BY PHONING MAMAS LINE 0300 013 2004 and they can arrange for you to be assessed if necessary.
If you require further information or advice, then please contact the anaesthetic department at the hospital you were treated at:
Frimley Park Hospital – 0300 613 4161
Wexham Park & Heatherwood Hospitals – 0300 615 3195
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Anaesthetics service.
About this information
Service:
Anaesthetics
Reference:
B/076
Approval date:
9 October 2023
Review date:
1 October 2026
Click ‘show accessibility tools’ at the bottom of the page
Then click ‘select language’
Alternative formats
You can use the accessibility toolbar at the bottom of your screen to:
-
Change the text size
-
Adjust the font
-
Modify the colour contrast
-
Use the translate function
If you would like this information in another format, such as Braille, audio, or easy read, please speak to a member of staff.
You can also print as well as download as PDF using the “Print this page” button at the end of the page.
Staff will print a copy for you on request
Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.