Headache

• Is significant if it interferes with your ability to take care of yourself

• Doesn’t go away with simple pain relief or rest

• Is very positional - much worse when you’re sitting or standing compared to lying down, and much worse with straining

• Is often worse at the front of the head, and sometimes with changes in hearing and/or neck stiffness/changes in your vision

Back pain

• If it is at the site of the injection, especially if it is

• Getting worse with time

• Spreading down the legs or up the back

• Or the area looks infected (red, sore, swollen, weepy)

• Especially if you feel sick with the pain - a fever and/or the shakes

There is good evidence that epidurals and spinals don’t make chronic back pain worse, the symptoms above are flags of possibly infection, bleeding or damage around the nerves, they are very rare.

Sensation of your legs

Several hours after the last injection of medicine your legs should start to go back to normal - your nurses/midwives know what to expect and can advise. However if you have onset of any of these after the last injection wears off, or if they last longer than expected, contact me

• Pins and needles

• Weakness

• Numbness

• Pain, especially shooting or burning pain

These symptoms are rare, if you are concerned, please contact me.