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  • #16
    manipulation

    I certainly hope your chiropractor doesn't manipulate your spine. If you allow this you are only asking for trouble as they can't possibly know what damage they are going to do. My chiropractor will not touch my spine only does massage. Pregnacy shouldn't cause any trouble it didn't for me.
    Nancy

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    • #17
      Scoliosis & Pregnancy

      Hi,
      I had scoliosis that was never treated (not diagnosed until I was 19) and had two babies with no back problems. I had a c-section for other reasons with the first baby, a 9 lb, 12 oz. boy, and a VBAC (natural delivery) of my second child, a 10 lb, 2 oz. girl. And I'm not a huge person, thank you!

      My best friend was casted for two years for her scoliosis, but has no back problems now, and her son was over 11 pounds at birth.

      I also have a niece who wore a Boston Brace. She's got a heathy 4 year old and a second baby due any day now.

      So, it can be done, even with pretty darn big babies. Good luck to all of you!

      Chris

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      • #18
        hello...i had surgery in 1974...with harrington rod...had two children..one in 1982..one in 1985...never felt better in my life...no complications...no pain...both natural...no epidurals..no anything....neither have scoliosis...hold onto a good thought....breath...and just keep asking good questions...peace..mag

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        • #19
          Chiropractic actually made my pregnancy much easier. I wore a Boston brace as a kid for nine years (age 6 to 15). Have more back pain now as I get older. With all of the loosening of ligaments, etc. in pregnancy, my sacrum was constantly messed up and my hips hurt a lot. Towards the end of my pregnancy, when my daughter put more pressure on my sacrum, I had my sacrum adjusted a few times a week. My chiropractor was careful and skilled and nothing hurt the baby. In fact, I took her to him when she was 6 days old for an adjustment (she came out with her hand on her head and I believe it contributed to her not wanting to nurse on my left side).

          I also had my daughter with no medication and limited pain. I had NO back labor or extra back pain (even less than my non-scoliosis friends). I did yoga through the pregnancy, pelvic-rocking every night toward the end, and "hands and knees" position (to encourage the baby to lie in the most optimal position) for 15 minutes a day as well.

          Good luck!
          Stefanie

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          • #20
            Pregnancy & scoliosis

            Hello Danelle. I never had surgery and have a severe Kyphosis scoliosis.
            My internist advised me not to have children because he said as the baby
            grew there would be less and less room for my lungs. I would have more trouble breathing and, more important, the baby might not get enough oxygen. My husband and I therefore opted not to have children. But this was MY case. You should have a good talk with your doctor, an internist and/or a pulmonary specialist. Good luck.

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            • #21
              dutch girl: what is your curve measured at?

              I'm considering having a child, but have a 60+ degree kyphosis that is impacting my lungs slightly. I'm going to discuss it with the Dr. tomorrow....but as he is rather conservative I'd like some 2nd opinions.

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              • #22
                Slipped disc?!

                When I was pregnant my back pain got so bad I almost couldn't walk, I just shuffled from foot to foot half-blind with pain. Orthopedicsurgeon no. 1 said "No, it isn't your scoliosis, it's a slipped disc" and ordered an MRI (fortunately covered by my HMO). I handed the results to Orthopedic surgeon no. 2. who upon looking at the films, burst out laughing and said, "No you don't have slipped disc, it's a simple case of sciatica!" No. 2 was right, and the pain was relieved by a strategically placed pillow (under my knees) when I slept. LOL. I did have difficulties "pushing" during labor, though (very weak back muscles didn;t help at all) and ended up having a C-section.

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                • #23
                  c-section and scoliosis

                  Hello, I am new at this site, but am so grateful that I have found it for the info I have found has been really helpful..
                  My concern is; I am 25 years old, was born with scoliosis, had a rod implanted at the age of 12/13, and now I am 6 months pregnant with my first child. I cant wait until the baby is born in March, but I am frightened as ever. I am in western Michigan, and am going to a local hospital/ ob for everything with my pregnancy ( no specialists as of yet at least ). But they are telling me I will need a c-section due to my narrow hips/ pelvis ( which, yes, scares the poop out of me, but I can deal with ), and now they are telling me I will need general anesthetics for the c-section ( which I figured, no epidural ). But what scares me even more is that because of the severity of my scoliosis, my neck tends to be a little "kinked" I guess you could call it. So when I went to talk to the anestheologist (sp?) he was concerned about the breathing tube they would have to put down my throat for the c-section. He will have to insert breathing tube while I am awake, with little or no pain killers ( for harm to baby ), and then continue on with procedure. I am so scared, I cry almost everyday because I start thinking about all the risks involved to not only me but my baby. I want to talk to someone who understands, but of course, unless you have been there, and had scoliosis and a rod with pregnancy, no one really can. I try to talk to my husband, but I think it scares him too, because he sees how scared I am, and I can tell he doesnt like to talk about it. When I talk to "others" about it, they just tell me I am worrying too much, and everything will be O.K. Which is of course what I want to believe, but unless I can talk to someone who understands because they have been through it, I dont know how much better I can feel.
                  Please help me, I am scared!!!

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                  • #24
                    I'm 31, and seven weeks post-op. We want to have a baby, and I've been told that I could carry one, but that it may get tough towards the end, with bed rest required. I'm okay with that, if it means we can have a child. In fact, I'm waiting until I'm one year post op however, so that my new fusion can heal, and I can get into shape. I've been told that I can opt for an elective C-section with general anesthetic, since I can't have an epidural (fused to L5 with rods, and screws). I am scared though about the back swaying to support the fetus. It was advised not to get pregnant before the last surgery, because of complications I was having from the stenosis. As for my child getting scoliosis, it doesn't seem to be cut and dry over the genetics of it - a cousin has it, as does my sister, but no one else. Too, the severity of the curves vary greatly, and my child may have no where near the severity of mine. If they do, I will ensure that they get the best care possible, and I would know to monitor their back regularly.
                    My sister's scoliosis is in the 30's, and it bothered her when she was pregnant, but she also had a standing job as well. It's a very individual thing how it affects people. For those of you who've had large fusions with instrumentation, how did pregnancy affect you?
                    Last edited by Cena75; 12-20-2006, 03:18 PM.
                    Cena
                    Nov. 2006 - revision surgery
                    Aug. 1992 - revision surgery for hook removal and pseudoarthrosis
                    July 1989 - Cortrell Doubosett procedure - two rods and fusion T4-L4 (age 13)

                    Comment


                    • #25
                      I had no problem with pregnancy

                      I had my daughter 20 years ago with the Harrington Rod. My curve was mid 60's prior to surgery. I had absolutely no problem carrying or delivery. I had her natural and was a very easy delivery. Good luck to you. LYNN
                      1981 Surgery with Harrington Rod; fused from T2 to L3 - Dr.Keim (at 26 years old)
                      2000 Partial Rod Removal
                      2001 Right Scapular Resection
                      12/07/2010 Surgical stabilization L3 through sacrum with revision harrington rod instrumentation, interbody fusion and pre-sacral fusion L5-S1 - Dr. Boachie (at 56 years old)
                      06/11/14 - Posterior cervical fusion C3 - T3 (Mountaineer System) due to severely arthritic joints - Dr. Patrick O'Leary (at age 59)

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                      • #26
                        yes . .. I believe pregnancy can dramatically add to your scoliosis.

                        My curve was basically non-existent 3% prior to my (2) pregnancies. After my 2 children were born (within 2 years of one another), my curve was up to 28%.

                        I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU DO SOME TYPE OF BACK STRENGTHENEING EXERCISES PRIOR TO GETTING PREGNANT!!!

                        My doctor has said that if my gen practitioner would have suggested back strengthening exercises, my curve would not have progressed so dramatically. Now I cannot reverse the damage. I also want to try to have anther child. HOWEVER, I am doing yoga and doing physical therapy daily to strengthen my back. I learned things the hard way and I am determined to reduce the progression of my scoliosis.

                        Alo, I suffered fro inense sciaic pain the last 3 months with my 2nd child.

                        Good luck!

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                        • #27
                          Pregnancy can affect scoliosis

                          I agree that pregnancy can increase your curves. My doctor in the early 1960s was one of the developers of the brace & I was one of the test patients. I was always advise that if I got pregnant, I would need a majority of bed rest to carry the child & not have increased curvature....that it would be best not to caryy a child at all if I wanted to take care of a child & not be in a wheelchair. Also advised to exercise like I was "training for the Olympics" for the rest of my life to aviod curve increase. Flexibility is especially important....touch your toes & bend from side to side as much as possible every day. YOGA is esp. valuable & I have practiced for over 30 yrs. with still no surgery (curves 49u/39l). Every person is different of course. Take your chance & live with the results w/o regret. God bless.

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                          • #28
                            Originally posted by sunshinemommy24
                            My curve was basically non-existent 3% prior to my (2) pregnancies. After my 2 children were born (within 2 years of one another), my curve was up to 28%.

                            I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU DO SOME TYPE OF BACK STRENGTHENEING EXERCISES PRIOR TO GETTING PREGNANT!!!

                            My doctor has said that if my gen practitioner would have suggested back strengthening exercises, my curve would not have progressed so dramatically. Now I cannot reverse the damage. I also want to try to have anther child. HOWEVER, I am doing yoga and doing physical therapy daily to strengthen my back. I learned things the hard way and I am determined to reduce the progression of my scoliosis.

                            Alo, I suffered fro inense sciaic pain the last 3 months with my 2nd child.

                            Good luck!

                            I agree with SUNSHINEMOMMY24 regarding pregnancy and scoliosis progression. My curve was basically non-existent as well prior to my two pregnancies which were two years apart. The curve size had to be small since my back always looked straight and I had uneven shoulders but was barely norticeable....

                            I now have back pain almost everyday. I was scheduled to have surgery late 2006 but decided to wait a few more years till the kids got a little older. They are now four and two years old.

                            I hate to say it but I think that scolisis does progress with pregnancy. It did in my case and I am pretty sure it worsened after the pregnancies.
                            30 yrs, mom to two girls ages 9 and 7
                            8/9/04 - 18* thoracic and 42* lumbar
                            3/7/06 - 22* thoracic and 45* lumbar (38*kyphosis)
                            4/8/08 - 38* thoracic and 50-52* lumbar (54* kyphosis)

                            2007 - Scheduled surgery but cancelled due to no major health issues at the time.
                            2011 - Back pain, spasms, sciatica, difficulty doing any physical work/activities w/o following back pain and spasms. Revisiting surgery decision and soon to schedule a doctors appointment to determine the progression since 2008.

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                            • #29
                              I ended up going into my pg at around a 95+ degree kyphosis

                              Dutch - I was advised the same and yet I now have a 10mo DD and had very little lung problems all through my pregnancy. I actually straightened up my curves quite a bit while pg - it was lovely! I did find that DD was breech quite a bit though.

                              I had no difficulties in labor either - DD was born start to finish in about 9 hours. I had no issues pushing other than a modification as to holding my legs - I could not curve that far without causing back pain. They ended up putting handles up where I could grab and push, and they held the legs. I had no epidural.

                              I am now in a wheelchair much of the time due to severe increase in the curves about 6mo after birth.

                              Given the choice - I'd do it all over again.

                              I think if I could have been braced right after birth when it was more flexable and straight, I could have avoided a lot if the issues I have now.

                              Comment


                              • #30
                                Pregnant and worried

                                Hi all

                                I am 23 weeks pregnant and when I had my spine operated on when I was 21 I was told I would have to have a caesarian. Last week I went to see my Obstetrician and he didn't agree. Now I am petrified because I don't think that the Obstetrician is looking at the bigger picture of the rest of my life. Sure Caesarian carries risks but a planned one is far less risky than an emergency especially due to anaesthetic issues. The Obstetrician said " I wouldn't tell your spinal consultant how to fuse a spine so I don't expect him to tell me how to deliver a baby". I think he is just being a bit obstenant and not considering the effects of birth on my spine and pelvis for the rest of my life.

                                Because I have thought all these years I would have to have a caesarian I am now petrified at the prospect of being made to have a normal birth. To be quite honest, I don't think I would have considered having a baby if I didn't think that was going to be the case. Its all i am thinking about now and I am so terrified, I'm not enjoying any aspect of the pregnancy now and I have this enormous feeling of dread. The hospital that I am a patient of doesn't support elective caesarians. What can I do?

                                Very scared

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