Mommies with disc problems-delivery question

I was at the OB this morning (my whole long story in on PG) and the doctor basically told me that if I don't have clearance from a spinal specialist, he would not deliver me without a C-section. Due to my former OB's screw up, I am in crunch time (10 weeks until my EDD) and we are scrambling for me to see a spinal specialist.

My issue is my L4-L5-the disc is slipped-completely out of the spinal column and in cartilage. It has been aggravated. My L5-S1 has a small herniation.

He said his concern was pushing-he was afraid I would blow another disc or worse case, move the slipped disc in an area that could cause severe pain or at worse paralysis.

I would like to try for a v-birth, but I really have no interest in doing something that would harm me forever. I tried googling this and found nothing.

Anyone have experience with this and if so, how did you deliver? I just want to know what to expect.

TIA!

Re: Mommies with disc problems-delivery question

I have a herniated disc in that exact spot. Was never even an issue during my pregnancy with DS, and I delivered him vaginally.
I'm pregnant now with DC#2, and I'm feeling the pain there now, but still not really a concern with my doc. Its actually normal to feel back pain now.

Re: Mommies with disc problems-delivery question

So thats what I did and I am glad I had the csection. I didint want to risk back issues after the delivery, worse than before that is.

Message edited 6/2/2014 9:48:44 PM.

Re: Mommies with disc problems-delivery question

Re: Mommies with disc problems-delivery question

I had an L4-L5 herniation with both pregnancies and delivered naturally (no epidural even) both times.

Re: Mommies with disc problems-delivery question

Hey,

I went through almost the EXACT same thing with my last pregnancy. My L5/S1 disc was so badly herniated that my neurosurgeon didn't even use the word "herniated"...he used the word "exploded"

I had an MRI done at 27 weeks to see the extent of the damage, and it was awful--80% of my sciatic nerve was crushed due to the "explosion", and my neurosurgeon would not under ANY circumstances let me deliver vaginally. He said logistically, the chances of blowing another disc or having my nerve cut off completely were very real. I completely put the idea of a v-birth out of my mind when he told me that pushing might mean I would never walk again

IMO, having been there, I would do the c-section. Though you may have your heart set on a v-birth, it is NOT worth the very real possibility that you could do further, more extensive damage to your already aggravated spine. In reality, the c-section was the best thing I could have done in my situation. My OB was also deathly afraid to have me go into any labor whatsoever, and she gave me her personal cell number so that if my water broke before my c-section date, I could call her directly and get her right away. I KNOW she doesn't do that for just any of her patients, so I knew the risk was very real.

How have you been feeling during your pregnancy? My last pregnancy made me believe that there is a such thing as he**. I didn't believe that pain like that existed, and I was on 6 Vicodin a day during the last 10 weeks of my pregnancy. I hope you are doing alright. What is the extent of your damage? Is it able to repair itself? I had to have surgery when my daughter was 5 weeks old.

Feel free to FM me with any questions because girl, I've been there. I understand that other PG girls have sciatica, but I used to laugh and WISH that I had the sciatica that everyone else had.

Re: Mommies with disc problems-delivery question

I had 2 herniated disks not sure where exactly but in my lower back that killed me for 2 years. The past 2 years it has been much better, I was so nervous when I got pregnant that I would have more back problems but I was fine, I worked out for most of my pregnancy which I think helped. I delivered vaginally and it wasn't a problem at all.

Re: Mommies with disc problems-delivery question

Thanks Beth-I will FM you now. The pain has been bad, especially if I overdo it-I am not taking anything. I had Flexeril at one point.

Re: Mommies with disc problems-delivery question

my L4/5 and L5/S1 are herniated. originally my OB told me I'd need a note from my orthopedic if I wanted an epidural. i guess he forgot about it. i did speak with the anesthesiologist at Winthrop and he said I would be fine. i ended up with a c/s for other reasons and I'm glad now. like the pp said id rather not aggravate my back.

Re: Mommies with disc problems-delivery question

SIL has 3 herniated discs, (not sure which ones) She had no problems throughout her pregnancy and delivered vaginally with no meds!

Good luck...

Re: Mommies with disc problems-delivery question

I have a herniated disc in my neck and delivered vaginally....although it did cause A LOT of pain afterwards for about a year after his birth. I went to physical therapy and had to take muscle relaxers but its better for now unless I over do it.

I would have a vaginal birth in again in a second though despite it.

Re: Mommies with disc problems-delivery question

Posted by munchkinfacemama

Posted by Bebalina

I have a herniated disc in that exact spot. Was never even an issue during my pregnancy with DS, and I delivered him vaginally.
I'm pregnant now with DC#2, and I'm feeling the pain there now, but still not really a concern with my doc. Its actually normal to feel back pain now.

Congrats on #2! Did they tell you that you needed to be cleared by a specialist? It sounded like the OB was not as concerned about the herniation as he was about the slipped disc that is laying in cartilage and on a nerve. Hmm

Re: Mommies with disc problems-delivery question

Hey Michi, can we start a Herniated Disc board??? I keed, I keed!
Sorry to hear this, I know you've had that herniated disc for a while now, and I had it a few years ago, before LIW or LIF were even a thought in my little head
Anyway I had the surgery in 2005. By the time they wheeled me in for that I was ready to operate on MYSELF I was in so much pain (and had been for the better part of 7 months; it was the WORST worst time I can recall, some days I don't know HOW DH and I survived it, I was like a little old lady, but not the cute nice kind, more like the mean, crotchety kind ). Anyway I had the BEST doc in NYC (he pioneered disc surgery 25 years ago, and BOTH of my parents were operated on by hiim; he also operated on Wayne Gretzky and Dennis Byrd - the football guy who was PARALYZED during a game years ago - and that man WALKS TODAY!!!! Seriously I am ready to make a SHRINE to this doctor in my house, that's how good he is.) Sorry for the digression, but let me know if you EVER want his contact information (the surgery was a BREEEEEEZE too, btw, 1 night in the hospital and I felt like I got my life back!).

Now as it relates to delivery, my OB did make me speak with the anesthesiologist prior to my due date - they wanted to go over the specific location and type of surgery so they'd know if there would be any issue with the epidural (which there wasn't thank GOD!). IIRC the epidural was delivered quite a bit higher than L4/L5, more like between the shoulder blades or an inch or two south of that.

So this long reply may not help at all, since I was post-surgery when I had DS, but if your OB is recommending a C-Section, in all honesty, GO WITH IT, to prevent any further damage to your already compromised nerve/disc!!! My c-section recovery was totally textbook, I cannot BELIEVE how good I felt just 1 week later!!!

Hope that helps M, just take it easy and let us know if you need any other help!!

Re: Mommies with disc problems-delivery question

Posted by colette

Hey Michi, can we start a Herniated Disc board??? I keed, I keed!
Sorry to hear this, I know you've had that herniated disc for a while now, and I had it a few years ago, before LIW or LIF were even a thought in my little head
Anyway I had the surgery in 2005. By the time they wheeled me in for that I was ready to operate on MYSELF I was in so much pain (and had been for the better part of 7 months; it was the WORST worst time I can recall, some days I don't know HOW DH and I survived it, I was like a little old lady, but not the cute nice kind, more like the mean, crotchety kind ). Anyway I had the BEST doc in NYC (he pioneered disc surgery 25 years ago, and BOTH of my parents were operated on by hiim; he also operated on Wayne Gretzky and Dennis Byrd - the football guy who was PARALYZED during a game years ago - and that man WALKS TODAY!!!! Seriously I am ready to make a SHRINE to this doctor in my house, that's how good he is.) Sorry for the digression, but let me know if you EVER want his contact information (the surgery was a BREEEEEEZE too, btw, 1 night in the hospital and I felt like I got my life back!).

Now as it relates to delivery, my OB did make me speak with the anesthesiologist prior to my due date - they wanted to go over the specific location and type of surgery so they'd know if there would be any issue with the epidural (which there wasn't thank GOD!). IIRC the epidural was delivered quite a bit higher than L4/L5, more like between the shoulder blades or an inch or two south of that.

So this long reply may not help at all, since I was post-surgery when I had DS, but if your OB is recommending a C-Section, in all honesty, GO WITH IT, to prevent any further damage to your already compromised nerve/disc!!! My c-section recovery was totally textbook, I cannot BELIEVE how good I felt just 1 week later!!!

Hope that helps M, just take it easy and let us know if you need any other help!!

Re: Mommies with disc problems-delivery question

I am a little different because I have rods in my back and the area that the rods did not correct I also have disc problems. C-section was my only option. I did have to go to my ortho. for x-rays so that the anesthesiologist knew where to place the spinal.

I wouldn't mess around with your back. Vaginal could really damage your back more then it is. Just because some people have had good experiences doesn't mean anything.

I would go to the specialist and see what they say. In the end your health and the health of your baby are what is most
important.

I have had 2 c-sections already and have had awesome experiences and recoveries. I would have never been able to go through labor.

Re: Mommies with disc problems-delivery question

Also wanted to add I had to meet with the anesthesia dept where i was delivering, so they could review my case and be sure where to put the epidural/spinal. Def push to meet with them b/c I was told they could deny you epi or spinal if they feel uncomfortable with your history (not knowing what is what).

Re: Mommies with disc problems-delivery question

I have a fused spine from T5 to L3, and L5-S1 was herniated in 2002 and I had a discectomy for it, but it still flares up sometimes. I had a very easy labor and delivery, and pushing was not a problem at all, and I had no issues. I went to see my spinal surgery earlier in the pregnancy because of a flare up, and on his own he gave me a note saying there was no reason relating to my back that i could not have a vaginal delivery or an epidural. that said, i was warned by the anesthesiologist that an epi might not work on me because of the fusion, and in the end, it did not.

Re: Mommies with disc problems-delivery question

I just had back surgery in September of this year
The doctors told me I wouldnt make it through another pregnancy if I didnt have it. My back was basically crumbling on itself. I had a carbon filler put in between 2 of my discs and I have rods and screws put in as well. I have to wait at least 1 year for everything to heal before becoming pregnant again.

The docs said they would have to see how I responded to a pregnancy but didnt see any reason that I couldntdeliver vaginally (that is the way I had my son) I just have to have an adjustment as to where my epidural would go. The doctors told me sometimes labor can really destroy your back if you have alot of problems..

Message edited 12/29/2009 8:30:19 AM.

Re: Mommies with disc problems-delivery question

Thanks everyone for the imput! I am going to consult with the anesthesiologist in the next two weeks. I spoke to my good friend/pain management PA last night (she just had a baby too so she knows what I am talking about)-she said that the type of back injury I have could possibly make it dangerous to push and she is going to have my doctor look over my films and send a report.

Thanks!