pregnant! :)

[abhbarry]

Hi all,
I haven't been on here for a while, but I just wanted to send some good news and hope for all of you having sugery. I am now a year and half out of surgery and doing great - in fact, I am pregnant with our first child!!! Having this surgery hopefully changed my life and I don't regret it. If anyone has any advice about being pregnant with a spinal fusion, I would love to hear it. I could use all the help I can get. I'm estatic and totally scared right now.

Best,
Anya

[Susie*Bee]

whoo hoo!

Anya-- I am thrilled for you! That is super news-- and I'm soooo glad you shared with us.

I can't help you with the "pregnant while fused" part, but JamieR probably can if you PM her. What is your due date? I'm busy getting ready to be a first time grandma-- my two oldest girls are expecting within a week of each, in May-- both are having little boys. So I've been looking at their choices (online) for crib sets, furniture and all the rest. Plus I have to get something for here too, so that is fun.

Best wishes for an uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery-- and a wonderful life as a mommy. Hugs, Susie

[sunny45]

Anya

I had my son 16 years AFTER fusion (harrington procedure). I had no complications, in fact I had a very easy pregnancy with only 1 exception. I got so large that people thought I was full term when I was only 5 months along. This was not due to weight gain (only gained 28 lbs) it was due to my height 4' 11 1/2" and the fact my son ended up being 10 lbs and 21" long. I did end up with a C section, but that was due to his size vs my size.

Congrats & Good Luck

Liz

[augemac]

Anya,

Congratulations!!

I was pregnant with my first child and first fusion and all went well. I had my first fusion in 1991 and got pregnant in 1994 and my son was born in 1995. Very good pregnancy, no complications and he was born on his due date vaginally and I didn't have any drugs. All went very well.

I was pregnant with my second child after my second fusion. I had my fusion in 1999 and got pregnant in 2000 and she was born in 2001. All went very well. No complications, just a real normal pregnancy just like everyone else with a normal back. She also was born vaginally.

They told me that it probably wasn't a good idea for an epidural. I have a high tolerance for pain but yet it really wasn't bad at all. Breathing techniques are wonderful!!

[Susie*Bee]

I will echo that thought on breathing techniques. I delivered all 3 of mine "naturally" and although it is hard work, it was definitely manageable. All my girls were big-- my biggest (3rd) daughter was 9 lbs. 10.5 oz., so it wasn't that they were small or anything... You just have to be prepared if you don't use an epidural or meds. You'll do fine either way, I'm sure.

[HGD24]

CONGRATULATIONS Anya!!!!! I had surgery on Feb 1st 2005 and had a beautiful baby girl on Feb 1st 2008.

I would encourage you to work out (stationary bike, eliptical, yoga) as far into the pregnancy as possible to help keep your back and leg muscles strong. I recovered pretty quickly from my pregnancy & delivery, 90 mins of pushing followed by a c-section because baby's was coming out face up and was stuck on my pelvic bones. If baby's head wasn't stuck, I would have delivered her within 20 mins of pushing. I attribute my quick recovery to working out into my 7th month and continuing yoga into my 8th month. I would also advise you to eat healthily so that you don't gain too much weight which could put extra strain on your back. I gained about 20-25lbs total. Dispite what a lot of women say, you are not eating for 2 people.

I also echo the comments here about breathing techniques. In addition the yoga classes that I took, I had also taken a relaxation class offered by my hospital prior to my fusion surgery. I combined those techniques with my yoga techniques during labor and delivery. My nurse kept commenting to my husband that she couldn't believe how focused I was and that if all of her patients could focus and breathe the way I did, it would make her job so much easier.

I met with the anesthesiologist about 6 weeks prior to my due date to review my x-rays and talk about all possible methods of pain relief. It was decided that a spinal would be better for me than an epidural due to where the spinal is given. It worked out really well and the best part was the because my spine is still numb from surgery, I didn't feel the needle going in! Spinals do wear off after 2-3 hrs though and mine did, but I kept pushing anyway. It was painful, but not horrible. I was relieved to get a 2nd spinal before going into the c-section though.

Please PM me with any questions you have about being pregnant right after fusion surgery. I'd be more than happy to share more info with you.

[NancyB]

Don't be scared! You'll do great. I birthed my first child 18 months after my surgery, and all went well. I went with natural childbirth, but listen to the good advise above about talking to your doctor regarding your options. She was a good size, 8lbs 6 oz, but I didn't suffer any effects in my back.

When I started to get back pain was when she grew and I was trying to carry around a toddler. But that was probably nothing to do with my surgery, just a small rather weak woman carrying a large toddler. My doctor had told me that the surgery would put me back into the norm, and normal people hurt their backs sometimes when they try to lift too much.

[fierceliketiger]

Anya,
I just wanted to say congratulations! I have no advice as far as pregnancy and fusions. But please keep us posted on how yours goes! I just got fused 6 weeks ago, I'm getting married in 4 months, and looking to have a baby in a year to two years...so I am really interested in how things will go!
Again, I am very happy for you and wish you all the best!
Love,
Sara

[Qikdraw]

Anya,

Congrats! I am sure everything will be fine. I cannot help with any pregnancy tips, I'm a man and we cry when we get a paper cut...

[discombobulated]

No advice from me either, I'm afraid - just a big congrats!

I hope your journey is as trouble-free as the others'. Best wishes to you, bub, & family

[Suzy]

Anya!

I have been wondering what you have been up to, now we know!! LOL! I have been checking your blog occasionally to see how your progress has been going. Glad to hear from you on here. As your blog isn't much help these days... Kidding with you. So glad to hear the happy news, you will be fine. My best friend did great with her Harrington rod through pregnancy and birth. You have modern technology and I am sure that won't be an issue. keep up posted when you can.

Congratulations! Suzy

[debbei]

Congratulations!! What wonderful news this is. I know everything will just work out fine for you.

[mariya]

Congratulations Anya!

This is really good news!! I didn't have surgery but do have two kids and just want to say that it is the best thing that ever happenedd to me and i would like to wish you all the best as well!!!!

It's so nice to hear such great news from people who had surgery as it gives hope to the rest of us!

I always wonder about how and what will happen after surgery and if i wanted to have another child...but now after all the posts here it just shows how great most of you are doing and continue to live a great life and have wonderful healthy kids!!

Thanks to you and everyone for sharing their great stories and inspiring me!

Mariya!

[theizzard]

just read your blog and want to congratulate you and wish you much happiness.
avis

[Louisse]

Hi Anya
Congratulations! This is wonderful news - I have two children and they are fantastic and have changed my world (before my op so no advice from me Im afraid) but I am sure your back will be fine from what I've read so far.

I have loved reading your blog in the past (when I was making up my mind to have surgery a year or so ago) - sorry really should have thanked you before!

I am so very pleased that everything is going well for you.
Keep us posted on news of the baby please!
Regards
Louisse