Pregnancy after Spinal Fusion
Being fused from T2-L2 with titanium rods and 26 screws makes being pregnant very interesting. It's already is a time when your body changes significantly over the course of 9 months. Add in the fact that your spine doesn't give with the natural curvature of the spine the larger the baby gets, and the other pains that normally go along with Scoliosis. With all that added weight, baby kicks and flexibility issues, it makes the 3rd trimester an enthralling one. Not to mention that fact that I had an epidural and had to have a C-section! More on that later though...
My second pregnancy was approximately 1 1/2 years after my fusion. I got approval from my neurologist and my gynecologist prior to becoming pregnant. Both said that I may just have more aches and pains as the pregnancy progresses. Well, I was very lucky in the beginning and didn't have any morning sickness, craved nothing but veggies and got nauseated if I thought about eating something sugary. I wish my first pregnancy was like that! In fact, it was the exact opposite!
As all pregnancies go, my baby bump was growing and the pains began, especially in my lower back and hips. I started to use body pillow to sleep. It supported my back, belly and hips. I slept more soundly because of it. I also suggest investing in a maternity belt or belly band to assist with the weight of your abdomen. If you have a fusion that is like mine, just the lumbar or the entire spine- I highly suggest this since our fused spines won't naturally curve any longer.
Naturally you get tired easier when you are creating a little human being, but I seemed more exhausted this time around. Still I walked as much as possible and slept any chance I got. My lumbar and where the fused lumbar connected was excruciating! I didn't take any Tylenol or anything to help ease the pain because I wanted to be as holistic as possible. The main thing I used for the aches was a heating pad that had a timer built in and that was used only on the upper region of my back. Other than starting my pregnancy waddle a little earlier than normal from my hips hurting and having to sit to rest my back during the 3rd trimester, it was still as enchanting as the first.
My second pregnancy was approximately 1 1/2 years after my fusion. I got approval from my neurologist and my gynecologist prior to becoming pregnant. Both said that I may just have more aches and pains as the pregnancy progresses. Well, I was very lucky in the beginning and didn't have any morning sickness, craved nothing but veggies and got nauseated if I thought about eating something sugary. I wish my first pregnancy was like that! In fact, it was the exact opposite!
As all pregnancies go, my baby bump was growing and the pains began, especially in my lower back and hips. I started to use body pillow to sleep. It supported my back, belly and hips. I slept more soundly because of it. I also suggest investing in a maternity belt or belly band to assist with the weight of your abdomen. If you have a fusion that is like mine, just the lumbar or the entire spine- I highly suggest this since our fused spines won't naturally curve any longer.
Naturally you get tired easier when you are creating a little human being, but I seemed more exhausted this time around. Still I walked as much as possible and slept any chance I got. My lumbar and where the fused lumbar connected was excruciating! I didn't take any Tylenol or anything to help ease the pain because I wanted to be as holistic as possible. The main thing I used for the aches was a heating pad that had a timer built in and that was used only on the upper region of my back. Other than starting my pregnancy waddle a little earlier than normal from my hips hurting and having to sit to rest my back during the 3rd trimester, it was still as enchanting as the first.
The epidural and C-section
Coming soon!