pregnant! :)

[abhbarry]

Thank you for all your well wishes and advice! I'm very excited, but suffering from morning sickness - blech. I hope everyone is well.

Best,
Anya

[bbest]

Anya, I can't begin to tell you how happy I am for you and your husband! May you have a happy and blessed pregnancy and an easy delivery.

[JamieR]

Congratulations. How exciting, your first baby. I am due March 5th with a boy, my doctor is hoping I can make it another 3 or 4 weeks to about 37 or 38 weeks along. I just had my surgery in 2008 so I was only like 2 months post op when I got pregnant so it was a big surprise but I have had absolutly no problems. I am due almost a year after my surgery. Every now and then I have some problems with a bad disc I have but that is only when I overdo things. I am happy with the way things have gone because I was very scared when I found out I was pregnant so soon after surgery. I had a little problem with my epidural with my first child because my scoliosis was uncorrected at the time and my epidural only numbed my right leg so I am hoping for better results this time around. You should do just fine, just take things easy and enjoy your pregnancy. It will get better after the first trimester and hopefully you can get rid of your morning sickness.

[Nancy Joy]

Hi Anya!~
I would like to add my congratulations. I don't know about after surgery but my scoliosis landed me in the hospital at 4 months when I was pregnant 28 years ago and I have had trouble ever after. I had my 2nd 18 months later and really wanted a 3rd. My Dr. kept trying to convince me all thru the pregnancy to get my tubes tied. Finally, he said "OK, have your 3rd but you might raise all 3 from a wheelchair". That got my attention and just last year I saw him and told him it was the best advise he could have given me. Even my deliveries did not go well due to the scoliosis but I won't go into that. I have been in pain ever since my pregnancies. When we knew my daughter needed surgery at 13 years of age, my first question was about pregnancies. The reply was she would do better with the surgery than without. With my own experience, I totally understood what he meant. Not trying to scare anyone here but when my pediatrician found out I had scoliosis he checked the children faithfully because it is very inheritable, expecially female to female. Our daughter's scoliosis showed up when she was 4 and we Dr'd. from that time on with a specialist for that. She is leary of having children but I point out that she had a good outcome and to not be scared if she really wants children. I am sure you will get along fine and it is so exciting!!

[HGD24]

Congratulations. How exciting, your first baby. I am due March 5th with a boy, my doctor is hoping I can make it another 3 or 4 weeks to about 37 or 38 weeks along. I just had my surgery in 2008 so I was only like 2 months post op when I got pregnant so it was a big surprise but I have had absolutly no problems. I am due almost a year after my surgery. Every now and then I have some problems with a bad disc I have but that is only when I overdo things. I am happy with the way things have gone because I was very scared when I found out I was pregnant so soon after surgery. I had a little problem with my epidural with my first child because my scoliosis was uncorrected at the time and my epidural only numbed my right leg so I am hoping for better results this time around. You should do just fine, just take things easy and enjoy your pregnancy. It will get better after the first trimester and hopefully you can get rid of your morning sickness.

Jamie - have you talked to the anesthesiologist about a spinal instead of an epidural? I had 2 spinals during my daughter's delivery and both worked really well. With the first spinal I was able to sit up, squat and move around in the bed - it only numbed me from my waist to my thighs. The second one (when I was taken into the OR for c-section) was stronger and numbed me from my waist to my feet.

[JamieR]

!

Heidi, we have not discussed that. I did talk with the anesthesiologist abut where I was fused to make sure it was not too far down to have any medication and he said I was fine because I am fused to L1 and he typically puts the epidural in at L3. What is the difference between the epidural and the spinal? Is spinal only for C-Section or can it be used for a vaginal delivery?

By the way, I wish I could be as brave as some of you who have not had anything to help with pain during the delivery. My mom and mother in law neither one had pain medication and I don't know how they did it. I was brave for back surgery and then a big scardy cat for child birth!

[HGD24]

Jamie - yes you can have a spinal for vaginal birth. I started out giving birth vaginally, but baby's head was stuck and she was not progressing so my OB and I (mostly me) decided on a c-section.

The biggest differences are that spinals last 2-3 hours and are given via a needle like a shot in your back. You can get another one if the 1st one wears off before you give birth, though I opted not to because I was afraid of losing my focus on pushing, until I was taken in for the c-section, then I had to get the 2nd shot. The epidural can last up to 24 hours and they place a catheter in your back and administer the meds via IV through the catheter. I would call the anesthesiologist at your hospital again - he's probably the best source to explain the other differences - I know there are some, but can't recall what they are.

[LynnMarie74]

congrats to you!

Anya-how very wonderful to hear, I really enjoyed both of my pragnancies of course thry were both before the fusion. Im sure you will be fine....folllow doctors orders & all will be good!

[geo]

Hi Anya, and CONGRATULATIONS!! I haven't been on here in a loooooong time(which stinks because I swore to myself I wouldn't be one who disappears) but life really does go on after all of this. Who would have guessed at the time??

I am very happy for you and your husband, that is so exciting! I totally understand your nervousness - I don't feel as fragile as I used to, but knowing how much a part of pregnancy and birth your back plays must be a little worrisome. I hope you keep us all updated, and I am wishing you the very, very best!

[LisaLou]

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.

I'm curious, do/did you have a full Harrington rod in your back? I had an ESI at my L5/S1 and I so scared that I won't be able to have an epidural.
Lisa

[emily4416]

So, I have a question for you scoliosis moms.

Hey guys.
So I got diagnosed two years ago, and in that two years my curvature increased both thoracic and lumbar by five degrees. I know it's getting worse...and my hips are in different places. I'm only 18, but my pelvis is starting to tilt, and I'm scared. I do want kids. What advice can you give me? I can't have surgery for at least a year. I'm scared because I know it's getting worse, and I'm scared my pelvis will move so much that it's not possible. What can any of you tell me?

[HGD24]

I'm curious, do/did you have a full Harrington rod in your back? I had an ESI at my L5/S1 and I so scared that I won't be able to have an epidural.
Lisa

I have 2 rods - one on either side of my spine, plus 3 bracketts and 20 screws. I'm not sure at what level the spinals went in at though. I met with an anesthesiologist about a month prior to my due date and brought my x-rays along. They noted in my chart where the best placement would be. I also brought the x-rays and left them in the car when I went into labor, in case the anesthesiologist on-duty wanted to see them for him or herself.

[HGD24]

Hey guys.
So I got diagnosed two years ago, and in that two years my curvature increased both thoracic and lumbar by five degrees. I know it's getting worse...and my hips are in different places. I'm only 18, but my pelvis is starting to tilt, and I'm scared. I do want kids. What advice can you give me? I can't have surgery for at least a year. I'm scared because I know it's getting worse, and I'm scared my pelvis will move so much that it's not possible. What can any of you tell me?

My pelvis still has a slight tilt to it. I went in weekly and then every other week for manipulations by an Osteopath to keep my pelvis as centered as possible as I was experiencing some SI joint pain and my pelvis was moving out of alignment. An Osteopath is a medical dr who specializes in manipulations of the tissue, muscle & bone. I also rode the stationary bike and eliptical 2-3 times a week until I was 7 months pregnant and then did yoga until I was 9 months along.

[Cimbom]

I know you mean well HGD24 but an Osteopath is not a medical doctor. They do not have a medical degree but rather practice alternative therapies, much like a chiropractor or message therapist. These people do like to call themselves doctors though, even though they shouldn't. I've had pretty bad experiences with a chiropractor and it seems to be common among people with scoliosis. They know that most of us are trying to avoid having surgery and so they make some excessive claims, which a lot accept due to being in a vulnerable position. These things should be approached carefully as there is not much scientific proof backing their claims.

[always smilin']

Anya -
I'm also very happy for you. I had first fusion in 1980's and have since have had 3 beautiful babies (13, 12, and 4). I carried all full term and delivered "naturally" because I was too afraid of an epidural and me. Just be sure your OB knows of your fusion in case you need an epidural. I also have a tilted pelvis (very tilted)- very interesting - I always wondered if that was from wearing a brace for so long????? Best of luck to you and congrats!