What would you do if you were me? Regarding delivering your baby

I was resigned to the fact that I was most likely going to be told that I would need a C-section. Now I am not so sure that is what I want to do, and I can't seem to discuss this with DH, who thinks any attempt at a vaginal delivery is not a good idea.

Here is my background. I have moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia (chronic pain disorder) and two herniated discs in my lower back. My disc in my L4-L5 area has completely fallen out of my spinal column and into cartilage. My GYN back in NY thought I would either need to do a C under general, which freaks me out or a vaginal without meds, because he did not feel that I could get an epidural or a spinal. He also felt that a vaginal delivery could be risky because of the arthritis and the stress I could possibly put on my joints.

My new OB here in Florida is completely willing to do a C and hasn't expressed an objection to a vaginal delivery. However, she wants me to consult with the anesthesiologist in a few months and provide both the anesthesiologist and her with my MRI films. I am really getting scared at the idea of a C-section, but I am totally willing to do anything to ensure a healthy baby and my safety.

DH thinks I am being ridiculous right now. I am annoyed he won't even discuss it with me.

So here is a question also for BTDT-how stressful is a vaginal delivery?

Also, does anyone else have a similar back issue and still was able to get the epidural or spinal?

Thanks for reading this long post!

Re: What would you do if you were me? Regarding delivering your baby

Wait to see what the anesthesiologist has to say and then it seems like there will be more to discuss with DH.

Re: What would you do if you were me? Regarding delivering your baby

I'm crashing to answer this one Michelle. I'm not PG yet, but TTC and had a discussion with my OB/Gyn about delivery options already. You may remember my back issues, but I had a spinal fusion to correct scoliosis and now I have Spondylolisthesis where the small part of my spine that isn't fused is. My discs are deteriorated, I have a fractured vertebrae, and the vertebrae are slipped forward. They wanted to fuse the rest of my spine to my pelvis, but I won't do it and have learned to live with the pain.

My situation is different than yours, but my doc said he won't have me deliver vaginally because of the stress it puts on the back. I will have to meet with the anesthesiologist to go over my X-rays to see if an epidural is possible, but he says he thinks I'll have to do a C under general anesthesia. I'm hoping they can find a way around the rods and screws to give me an epidural, but if not I think I'm okay with the general. The less stress there is on you, the less stress the baby will feel. Your docs will do what's best for you and the baby.

Re: What would you do if you were me? Regarding delivering your baby

I would also consult rhuematology and an orthopedist. They are going to know better then the ob what is good for your auto immune and back issues.

Personally as much as I would want a vaginal delivery. I don;t think I would risk it. I would be afraid of not being able to hold my baby if the stress caused a bad flare or worsened the back issues. But would def check with the specialists first.

Re: What would you do if you were me? Regarding delivering your baby

Posted by JenMarie

I'm crashing to answer this one Michelle. I'm not PG yet, but TTC and had a discussion with my OB/Gyn about delivery options already. You may remember my back issues, but I had a spinal fusion to correct scoliosis and now I have Spondylolisthesis where the small part of my spine that isn't fused is. My discs are deteriorated, I have a fractured vertebrae, and the vertebrae are slipped forward. They wanted to fuse the rest of my spine to my pelvis, but I won't do it and have learned to live with the pain.

My situation is different than yours, but my doc said he won't have me deliver vaginally because of the stress it puts on the back. I will have to meet with the anesthesiologist to go over my X-rays to see if an epidural is possible, but he says he thinks I'll have to do a C under general anesthesia. I'm hoping they can find a way around the rods and screws to give me an epidural, but if not I think I'm okay with the general. The less stress there is on you, the less stress the baby will feel. Your docs will do what's best for you and the baby.

Re: What would you do if you were me? Regarding delivering your baby

Re: What would you do if you were me? Regarding delivering your baby

i have 2 large herniated disks in L4/5 and L5/S1. my OB said most likely i'll NEED the epidural cause my back may not be able to handle the pain and pressure. he said ill just need a letter from the Orthopedic saying hes ok with me getting the epi. my ortho already said hes fine with it and agrees.

Re: What would you do if you were me? Regarding delivering your baby

I would totally leave this one to the experts. My first vaginal delivery was definately more work than my second, but I don't think either one was terribly stressful on my body. However, don't have the spinal issues you have.

If your docs feel you can have a vaginal but no epidural I think it's worth a shot. I've had 2 babies and never had an epidural. It's definately managable and I would go that route over a planned C.

Re: What would you do if you were me? Regarding delivering your baby

Posted by JenMarie

I'm crashing to answer this one Michelle. I'm not PG yet, but TTC and had a discussion with my OB/Gyn about delivery options already. You may remember my back issues, but I had a spinal fusion to correct scoliosis and now I have Spondylolisthesis where the small part of my spine that isn't fused is. My discs are deteriorated, I have a fractured vertebrae, and the vertebrae are slipped forward. They wanted to fuse the rest of my spine to my pelvis, but I won't do it and have learned to live with the pain.

My situation is different than yours, but my doc said he won't have me deliver vaginally because of the stress it puts on the back. I will have to meet with the anesthesiologist to go over my X-rays to see if an epidural is possible, but he says he thinks I'll have to do a C under general anesthesia. I'm hoping they can find a way around the rods and screws to give me an epidural, but if not I think I'm okay with the general. The less stress there is on you, the less stress the baby will feel. Your docs will do what's best for you and the baby.

Re: What would you do if you were me? Regarding delivering your baby

I think that you need to speak to the doctors and see what they say.

I will say that my vaginal delivery was tough on my body, and b/c I had preeclampsia, I was on 947 monitors and couldn't walk around during my labor, all of the pressure and the pushing caused me to fracture my tailbone, which still hurts 2+ years later.

My point being that you probably don't want to add more problems into the stew and you don't know if you will have other issues...

Honestly, if *I* were you, I'd have a c.

Re: What would you do if you were me? Regarding delivering your baby

not that this answers your question but I had a C/S under general- and really it wasn't bad at all- the worst part of it all is being intubated... but obviously you don't remember anythign of it- my throat was just sore.

Re: What would you do if you were me? Regarding delivering your baby

I had a herniated disc at L4-L5 that I had corrected with surgery a few years ago so I had a similar concern regarding the epi.

I had a consult last week with the anesthesiologists at my hospital and they said I can still do it no problem. They said they would insert it one disc up from normal (I guess it normally goes in at L4-L5) so there would be no more risk than any other person.

However, he did say that those who had had major back surgery (spinal fusion, rods, etc...) would be a much more complicated situation, as seems to be the case with some other posters on here....

I still don't know for sure what I will do- ideally, I would like to go natural because I am paranoid about ever going back to not being able to walk again....I guess ask me next month! :)

Re: What would you do if you were me? Regarding delivering your baby

Hi Mich :)

I can only comment on the drugless v-delivery stress. I have no back issues at all and my back, neck, and shoulders were very very very sore for about 8 days post delivery. If you have back issues to begin with, it may be too traumatic on your body.

Re: What would you do if you were me? Regarding delivering your baby

I would consult all of my drs first and try to get a general consensus of what they feel is safest for me. I wouldn't count anything out yet though- just ask the drs.. It can't hurt! GL

Re: What would you do if you were me? Regarding delivering your baby

I agree with the others and you need to let the professionals tell you what is best. If c-section is the way to go, it's really not that bad at all

Re: What would you do if you were me? Regarding delivering your baby

if i were you i would do what the doctor recommends.

Re: What would you do if you were me? Regarding delivering your baby

Everyone I know who's been through it, tells me C-section is a breeze on the mother.
If I were you, and doctors where telling me it might hurt my back and/or joints, I wouldn't risk it as I have to carry around a baby for months to years after that.

Message edited 8/14/2009 9:30:53 PM.

Re: What would you do if you were me? Regarding delivering your baby

Posted by Shorty

Hi Mich :)

I can only comment on the drugless v-delivery stress. I have no back issues at all and my back, neck, and shoulders were very very very sore for about 8 days post delivery. If you have back issues to begin with, it may be too traumatic on your body.