The headache, and the rare serious complications
Real numbers, so you can size them properly.
Occasionally the epidural needle punctures the sac holding spinal fluid. In pooled obstetric data this happens in about 1.5% of placements, and when it does, about 52% of those women develop a headache that is much worse sitting up. It can be treated with a blood patch.
The serious complications, across 1.37 million obstetric epidurals:
| Complication | Rate |
|---|---|
| Epidural hematoma | 1 in 168,000 |
| Deep epidural infection | 1 in 145,000 |
| Permanent nerve injury | 1 in 240,000 |
| Temporary nerve injury | 1 in 6,700 |
Permanent harm is roughly a one in a quarter million event. A patch of numb thigh that resolves is far more common.
Where this comes from:
192. Choi PT, Galinski SE, Takeuchi L, Lucas S, Tamayo C, Jadad AR. PDPH is a common complication of neuraxial blockade in parturients: a meta-analysis of obstetrical studies. Can J Anaesth. 2003;50(5):460-469.
193. Ruppen W, Derry S, McQuay H, Moore RA. Incidence of epidural hematoma, infection, and neurologic injury in obstetric patients with epidural analgesia/anesthesia. Anesthesiology. 2006;105(2):394-399.
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This page is educational. It supports the conversation with your own clinicians. It is not consent to any treatment, and it cannot assess you. If you are worried about a symptom now, see urgent warning signs.