Mar
My friend had an operation to correct her spine - suffering from scoliosis - she now has fused vertebrae and two metal rods the length of her back. She recently fell pregnant and is looking for advice on childbirth, some professionals say she can give birth naturally, while others say she will definitely need a c-section. Would anyone be able to give advice on their own experiences? Thanks.
Answer:
i am in the exact situation at the moment. i have rods in my back as well and im 9 months pregnant. my back kills, im not gunna lie, i get massages about once a week and my doctors advised me to have a c section. my doctor planned on me having general anesthesia but the anesthesiologist said i will probably be able the get a spinal, and your friend might be able to as well depending on the placement of her rods. she can try having the baby naturally, i was given that option, but i didnt want to risk anything going wrong with my back, or end up having an emergency c section after all that. good luck and tell her that shes gunna be ok, sore, but ok.
Answer:
I don't have personal experience.
What I do know is that C-section rates are rising. C-sections are not necessary the majority of the time and can be very unhealthy for both mother and child. It is now common for 1/3 births to be by c-section. And their are lots of negative after-effects. We should remember that women naturally have the ability to give birth.
What I would recommend, based on my experience, is that your friend get a midwife. Even if she wants to have birth in a hospital a midwife would be able to advocate on her behalf.
Sometimes that can be very helpful. I had a midwife throughout my pregnancy and they give very helpful and holistic care. When I went into labor, towards the end, I did have to go to the hospital and I was so thankful she could be there for me.
I'm sure she will make the right choice for herself and her baby, no matter what it is.
I wish her the best of luck!
Answer:
I have seen a pregnant woman with scoliosis and rods in her back have a baby vaginally. The most difficult part is that the woman is unable to bend her back to help with pushing. Also, she had significant back pain during pregnancy because she was unable to extend her back. She received Physical therapy with some relief.
Another concern is the ability to have an epidural. After she talked with the pain doctors, she was told that there were only a few doctors able to put in the epidural. They offered a pudendal block instead (a different nerve block in the pelvis).
In the end, she delivered the baby vaginally without an epidural or pudendal block.
So I definitely think it is possible, but she needs to work with a doctor that is willing to work with her.
Answer:
You can have a baby vaginally after fusion (I've done it twice). Depending on how far your friend is fused (anything below T12 gets tricky) she may not be able to have a spinal (spinal is better for scoliosis and fusion than epidural). She should talk with her doctor when she is closer to her due date about getting a referral to consult with the anesthesia group who covers where she will be having the baby.
I'm fused to T12 and didn't want anyone touching my spine. I did it naturally, and requested general if I had to have an emergency C-section.
First labor, 3 hrs. No back labor, no problems pushing. Second labor, 1 hr. Had back labor (but so can a non-scoliosis mom), but no problem pushing.