I heard about people getting spinal headaches, and knew after I got a wet tap during my labor with AC, that there was a possibility that I could get a headache. However, I didn't think twice about it because I really didn't think I would get one since I felt so good. And if I did, I thought a headache can't compare to labor. Ha! I was so wrong!
My anesthiologist checked on me every day after ACs birth. Sometimes several times a day. He seemed so glad that I was feeling good. Well we came home and Thanksgiving night...3 nights after AC was born, I got a headache. But it was bearable. My family said that I looked really pale and bad though.
The next morning it was still there, it was bad enough that I couldn't hold my head up when riding in the car or sitting up. I decided to call the anesthiologist after Anna Claire's first pediatrician appointment. I basically made it through that with my head in my lap. Thank goodness they know me there. The OBGYN on call happened to be standing in l & d with the anesthiologist that did my epidural. He felt soooo bad. He thought we avoided the headaches. He prescribed ultram for pain and a ton of caffeine in the form of Mountain Dew. He also told me to lay flat on my back all day and said I couldn't lift anything, especially MC. Heartbreaking.
Basically, he would call and check on me daily. I followed his orders as best as I could. But it's hard with a newborn that needs to eat every few hours. And a toddler that wants your attention. And appointments, etc. Everyday it got worse, so we started to make plans for me to go to the hospital and get a blood patch. Basically, fill the hole that was made with my blood and hope that it clots and the fluid stops leaking and my brain stops sagging. He would yell at me for doing anything I wasn't supposed to do. In a nice way, while calling me sweetheart.
Poor Matt had to basically change all of AC's diapers, feed AC pumped milk from a syringe and then eventually a bottle because I couldn't sit up and hold her. It was so tiring for him, but just so hard for me to watch. I would just apologize all day long. I was pretty helpless. There was no way I could drive to take MC anywhere either.
For AC's pictures, our photographer came to our house and I layed on the floor flat on my back to watch. It was so embarrassing.
I had a few moments where I would think it was easing up, only for it to come back worse than ever. We decided Monday was the day for the blood patch. I just couldn't function. One week after delivery. Sweet Dr. Bragg didn't want to be on call, distracted, or tired. He wanted the blood patch to have his full attention because he didn't want to accidentally do another wet tap...which was a possibility. He said if that happened, we'd be screwed. Very reassuring, huh? I actually wanted him to do it and only him. I trusted him.
I laid in a bed in the surgery center for about 3 or more hours before he finished everything he needed to, to be able to focus. He was worried I would be dehydrated so he gave me warm water to drink. The procedure was actually not calm or anything like the epidural. It was scary and painful! I hated it and in the middle of it I really wanted to tell him to forget it. I was sweating, bleeding, leaking milk, and in so much pain. I think my spine was still sore from the actual epidural and to go back in the same spot was excruciating. Then he couldn't get my blood. Imagine that. He needed a lot of blood and fast. Trays were flying, he probably put on 10 new pairs of gloves bc he was paranoid of a back infection. He finally had to stick an artery and blood
Went squirting everywhere. Good thing blood and needles don't bother me one bit. The worst part was the weird rush to my head when he Injected the blood in my spine. It was a new pounding headache in a new place. He said I turned white and looked horrible. He thought that everything went great and he heard an epidural fart which is a good sound to hear when he injected the blood. He said that the hardest part during the epidural blood patch was getting my blood.
I loved his parting words to me. He told me that he meets some good people doing his job and that we need to stop meeting this way. (Turns out he did my good friends epidural the night before, so I came up in convo...and then came up somehow with other mutual friends) Then he said, "sorry this has been such a b." He said, "I will never tell anyone that you aren't brave or are a complainer." He said the important thing is that there is hope and to never quit. He also said that he wanted to quit and he also wanted to quit after giving me the initial wet tap, but he pushed on because he wanted my labor to be enjoyable. He still wanted me to take it easy for one more day.
He contined calling me everyday until I felt better. My back hurt horribly at first, which was scary. It took about a week to get rid of the new headache/rushing/throbbing sensation in my head and ears when I would stand or walk. Good thing is that I could sit up again. I could drive. If I was out and had that sensation I would just stop where I was and sit back down or crouch on the ground. I'm sure I looked crazy. But it was unbearable. I was so glad to feel better but so scared about the new symptoms. Matt and I were both scared it would never go away. Several times when I would pick up MC from her babysitter, I would have to stop and just lay my head down. Anyway, he suspected it had something to do with my equilibrium and thankfully the symptoms got less and less. He also encouraged me to not be scared to get another epidural if we have a third child. I think if he did it I might consider it. Because I know how careful he would be. I just don't know for sure.
I'm so thankful to say that I am back to normal now! You know I felt horrible if I don't have any pictures to document my experience. All I know is Mountain Dew will always spark a memory of one of the most miserable times in my life.
