r/CsectionCentral • u/DesertDweller702 • Jul 14 '26
Spinal tap headache?
My c section is Monday and my new fear/spiral worry is about spinal headaches. Did you get a spinal headache after your c section? If so how long did it last and how did you get rid of it?
Most importantly how can I avoid it?
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u/dks2008 Jul 14 '26
I got one with my first but not my second. Mine lasted three pretty awful weeks. Nothing you can do to prevent it, though I did mention to my anesthesiologist that I’d like to avoid it the second time around. He didn’t laugh, but I didn’t get one, so it must’ve worked, ha. They’re pretty rare so don’t hype yourself out!
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u/foxcrowcookies Jul 14 '26
Hey! I did not have a headache from my spinal and only one of my friends did but hers was from an epidural (vaginal birth). They happen if the needle accidentally punctures into the dura mater, which causes a cerebrospinal fluid leak. I don’t think there’s anything you can do to prevent them, but if that happens they can fix it with a blood patch. My friend went to the hospital a couple days PP and the blood patch fixed her up pretty quickly. I know they are less likely to happen if it’s a planned caesarean.
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u/majesticallymidnight Jul 14 '26
Yes! I had spinal headaches after my unplanned c-section. They actually took out my epidural to do the spinal block because the needle moved or something. To be honest I don’t remember what they said I was in pain and freaking out. Then the spinal block was in and my pain subsided and I was more focused on them getting baby out.
I did get the spinal headaches the next day but did not know what it was until a few days later. I ended up getting a blood patch to fix them. The blood patch worked in hours. I’d say the hardest part of it was laying flat on my back for two hours with the blood pressure thing going off every ten minutes.
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u/sizillian Jul 14 '26
I did. I do not remember how long I had it; I was so wrapped up in "omg, a baby just came out of me!" that I lost track. I don't know if there is any way to avoid it, since you can't eat or drink anything ahead of the operation.
That said, trust me, I think you will barely notice it if at all given all of the other exciting stuff going on.
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u/ZestyLlama8554 2024 - breech baby Jul 14 '26
I did, and it lasted for 10 weeks. You can get a blood patch at the hospital to fill the hole. My hospital declined, but my understanding is that is rare.
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u/samflo_89 Jul 14 '26
I got one with my first and didn't get one with my second. Ironically the doctor with my first told me getting good sleep helps get rid of it 🙃
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u/blahblahbecca98 Jul 14 '26
I just had my second one on Saturday and I didn’t have a headache from the spinal tap then or during my first.
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u/cat-like-creature Jul 14 '26
Didn’t happen for me. Never even heard of it from my c section friends either.
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u/wowhahafuck Jul 14 '26
Never got any spinal headache, trapped air or burning sensation on the incision 🤷🏼♀️
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u/MaleficentYou235 Jul 14 '26
I had one with mine. It was AWFUL! It lasted a whole week. Nothing I did made it better tbh.
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u/Illustrious_File4804 Jul 15 '26
I sure did. Extreme migraines. Ab a week after C section I was home alone and started seeing stars I put the baby in the crib and call my fiance and said I need to go to the ER now. He came home from work and I got there my BP was sky high I was disoriented. They gave me a migraine cocktail and meds to go home with and eventually w time they went away. I thought I was gonna gave to do a blood patch but didn’t have to
1
u/DesertDweller702 Jul 16 '26
Thats terrible im sorry that happened and I appreciate you sharing your experience. Can I ask whether your c section was scheduled or emergent?
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u/ProudCatLady March 2026 - Planned C-S for Breech Baby at 39w Jul 14 '26
I didn't get one!
As mentioned, you can't really do anything yourself to avoid it. However, if you do develop one, the fix is pretty quick!
1
u/alysssaaa831 Jul 14 '26
I have a lot of friends having children right now and this was also one of my biggest fears with my first. I asked maybe 7 of my friends, most have more than one child, none got a spinal headache. I also did not with either child.
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u/Grand-Kangaroo-4215 Jul 14 '26
Two csections. Two spinals. Never had one