[divagirl]

Hi everyone I was hoping to get some experiences from other women who have gone through pregnancy with disc problems. ? I already have 2 beautiful children a boy and girl but would love just one more. I found out a year ago I have a disc protusion with minor nerve compression, it no longer gives me much trouble as I am doing alot of exercises and core work etc. Even at the time it wasnt excruciating just annoying.


I have spoken to one neuro who said no more kids and another who said I will be fine so just a little confused. Just wondering if anyone else has been through pregnancy with disc or any back problems and how did you go??



thanks !

This post has been edited by divagirl: 21/02/2013, 08:51 AM

[josh2003]

Hi divagirl,

I've had a couple of disc protrusions also, which occurred before having children. When I was pregnant with my first child, my back was perfectly fine, however, when he was three weeks old, I had a relapse and had to be carted off to hospital in an ambulance because I was unable to move.

Then I put up with ongoing pain and nerve issues for about 4 years after that (with several hospital visits), all because I wanted to have another baby before dealing with the back issue. I was seeing a surgeon who did warn me that I would eventually need surgery, but gave me suggestions for pain management in the mean time. When I look back, I can't believe that I put up with that pain for so long. I couldn't do the grocery shopping without my husband, and I would have to get drunk just to be able to stand up at social events.

Eventually, my back got so bad that I ended up having to have emergency surgery because my foot had started to drop when I walked, and I couldn't feel my right leg, and there was a concern that I would lose permanent control of my bladder and bowel if I left it any longer.

The surgery was the best thing that could have happened because the relief was immediate, and even though the recovery was inconvenient (we were moving house at the time!), my back has been so much better since. I actually did have a relapse a few weeks after my first surgery, so had to have repeat surgery, but this is apparently very rare. I still have weaknesses and some pain occasionally, but no-where near what it was like before surgery.

I have had another baby since I had the surgery, and I didn't have any issues with that pregnancy either.

I may have to have a spinal fusion in the future as I have other discs that are vulnerable, but I am still hoping to have another baby in the future. My fertility issues are my biggest hurdle, so I don't even consider my back!

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[divagirl]

oh god that sounds nasty ! Mine hasnt bothered me much so far, even the leg pain wasnt "pain" as such to me. I havent had pain for almost a year (pretty much since I was diagnosed) and am doing alot of core work and stretching etc.

Just SO scared to inujure it or make it worse because I am doing so well at the moment, and reading other peoples stories, like yours, make me very anxious about the whole thing. The neuro told me the other day that 1 in 3 ppl my age (almost 30) would have the same issue as me, but the first neuro told me its not normal for my age etc so am very confused with conflicting advice !

Thanks SO much for your reply and glad your doing much better !!!

[mel43]

I'd be interested in the replies to this topic too.

My back only really got bad after my second daughter was born. I have 3 disc protrusions, 2 of which compress nerve roots. I've also had spinal surgery for canal stenosis (they basically shaved a bit of bony growth out of my spinal canal) about 3 months ago.

I asked my surgeon and he said I could TTC 6 months after surgery because that's how long it takes to fully recover. He has seen my MRI and decided not to operate on my discs, so he obviously doesn't think it will cause too much trouble.
I guess I'll see in 3 months, if I need more surgery or if we can TTC.

[starboard]

I have bulging discs at L4- L5 and L3- L4, (lumbar spine). I had a spinal decompression and fusion at L5-S1 and went on to become pregnant with DD 6 months later.

With DD and then DS, my back during both pregnancies was fine up until around 35-36 weeks when I became bigger. I did get referred back pain in my left buttock and some sudden off and on numbness in my left leg. I did stop driving around this time because the left leg is the clutch leg ( I drive a manual).
I was prescribed codeine by my GP, I also had Panadol Osteo to take. However, because it was nerve pain, neither did much.

Once I had the babies, my back was fine. No buttock pain, no leg numbness, I guess the pressure was off the discs and they laid off the nerve.

I had both my children by C section, DD- I had to have under general anaesthetic due to scarring from the just- over- a- year old spinal surgery site.
DS- I had an epidural but they did warn me it may be patchy due to scar tissue but it was fine!
I'm not sure how bulging discs in the lumbar region affect epidurals/spinal anaesthesia but obviously it'd be wise to let the anaesthetist know should you need them.

Good luck! Feel free to PM me if you have any questions, I will try and help!

[divagirl]

Thanks for the replies ladies ,makes me feel a bit better !