Pregnancy after spine surgery??

**KBear** · 07-04-2010, 01:08 PM

Does anyone know of anyone who went through pregnancy after spine surgery? I'll go ahead and let the cat out of the bag, hubby and I are trying for baby #3.

I am curious about epidurals, as I have heard that sometimes there is too much scar tissue after spine surgery to receive one. Not sure if steroid injections also cause scar tissue, but would assume so and I have had a lot of those. My OB said we would do an anesthesiologist consult prior to delivery. Also, can they see scar tissue on imaging? OR is it just an educated guess like adhesions? There is no way in H@ll that I am going to do it without drugs, been there done that, got my t-shirt. Never again, you leave with the same baby whether you had drugs or not.

I am also curious about delivery, as I have read that some doctors prefer the woman to have a c-section, as to not cause the delivery stress on the spine. I did not have easy deliveries before, so wouldn't want to do that again and cause more damage. First daughter, 36 hours of labor; second daughter, 10 hours of labor- so no walk in the park. I almost feel like I would rather just do a c-section to be safe; but am for sure going to do more research on it. Only bad thing about that would be that if I couldn't get the epidural, that would also rule out a spinal, so I would have to be put under general anesthesia and would be out for the delivery (but honestly would prefer this over no drugs- Can you tell my no drugs experience was very negative?). I think the spouse is still allowed in even if the mom is knocked out and would rather wait an hour or so to meet my baby, than risk damage that would cause me not to be able to care for them.

Any insight would be appreciated. There is just not much on this subject out there. I have searched the internet and found a few posts on pregnancy after fusion, but most were people looking for information, no one that had done it. Oh, and all of my doctors have given me the go ahead (Surgeon, pain management doctor, OBGYN, family doctor and pediatrician)

Thanks,
Kathy

**ajj1001** · 07-04-2010, 01:16 PM

I'll have a hunt round but remember seeing post adr babies being talking about somewhere. I had an epidural inserted for pain relief post my two level op and it didn't take on one side so I could feel everything going on, this happening would not be ideal for painfree childbirth.

**KBear** · 07-04-2010, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by ajj1001

I'll have a hunt round but remember seeing post adr babies being talking about somewhere. I had an epidural inserted for pain relief post my two level op and it didn't take on one side so I could feel everything going on, this happening would not be ideal for painfree childbirth.

That's my fear. I already have major issues with medications (I require way more than the average person and have always been that way). I had epidural issues with both of my children. The first one I got an epidural, but it lasted 30 minutes before I needed more medication, got one more refill and 30 minutes later was back in crazy pain, never got anymore meds and had to do without. It was awful, I was in so much pain, that I didn't even want to hold her for awhile after she was born. With my second delivery, epidural wore off, got more meds, wasn't working, he kept putting more drugs in, but I was feeling no relief. Finally sat me up, took it out and put a new one in, then I was good (he put lots of medication in it). About 50% of my procedures I was not properly sedated or they didn't believe me and would give me the average dose and would then have to keep giving me more and more to get me to go under.

**MDE** · 07-15-2010, 05:23 PM

Based on your signature I believe that Dr. Rolando Garcia is your spine surgeon and I would agree with him that it will not be an issue

As your spine surgery was in march, there will be at least 6 months to allow the disc endplates to fully "integrate" with the vertebral endplates. From my perspective I don't see any risks once you've hit this point in time. The only particular problem I can forsee is x-rays that are typically used to follow up on the spine surgery would be out of the question (I'm assuming) which would leave you with a bit of an unknown as far as any migration/subsidence goes.

Steroid injections don't result in scar tissue growth, and in fact are sometimes used to reduce the appearance and density of scar tissue. The ADR is done anteriorly and the epidural is typically delivered posteriorly. This should reduce the possibility of scar tissue causing an issue with the injection. I think the previous medication levels should be recorded and brought to the attention of your anesthesiologist during your consults such that they know ahead of time and you don't have to go through the cycles of pain you have in the past.

That said, I'm not a doctor, and I think that they'll have the best advice for you. Congrats and good luck!

**Katie** · 07-15-2010, 08:23 PM

MDE, it was me that had surgery this past March. KBear's was in March 2009 so is past the six month window

Me, I'm a grandma now...no need to do that again. But I did have the problem with my first one with the epidural only working on one side....it sure was no picnic

It is good to know though that the steroid injections don't cause scar tissue...thanks for that.

And yes, good luck Kathy!

**KBear** · 07-15-2010, 09:50 PM

Thanks MDE, Very good information. It's nice to know the steroid injections do not cause scar tissue, whew.
Thanks Katie too.

**Cindylou** · 07-16-2010, 12:02 AM

Me? I just keep checking this thread because I think you're (KBear) going to have an "announcement" in it!

**Susanna** · 07-16-2010, 04:29 AM

Wow Kathy, good luck with this! Glad to be done with my child bearing years, as like you, never had easy child births.

I'm with you though, after going through what you have to get rid of pain in spine, I would do a C-section and be put under. I wouldn't want to take the chance of the epidural not working and feel ANYTHING! And as you said, it isn't like you haven't delivered a child before, so you've had that experience. It is really more about getting that kid out and safe and keeping you safe!

Can't wait to hear when it all happens! Starting to feel like we are sisters!

Susanna

**KBear** · 07-16-2010, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by Susanna

Wow Kathy, good luck with this! Glad to be done with my child bearing years, as like you, never had easy child births.

I'm with you though, after going through what you have to get rid of pain in spine, I would do a C-section and be put under. I wouldn't want to take the chance of the epidural not working and feel ANYTHING! And as you said, it isn't like you haven't delivered a child before, so you've had that experience. It is really more about getting that kid out and safe and keeping you safe!

Can't wait to hear when it all happens! Starting to feel like we are sisters!

Susanna

My thoughts exactly, been there done that. I know c-section recovery isn't as easy as regular, but the way I see it you either suffer before baby or after.

CL- Your too funny, hopefully soon. You guys will be the first to know, promise.