Facing Back Surgery During Second Trimester!!!

I was diagnosed with a disc protrution in my lower back around a year an a half ago and was refered to the neurosugery at the P.A and was placed on a waiting list. around 4 months ago i recieved an appointment an went to see the specialists. they examined a cat scan i had done and ordered an m.r.i to be done in the next month. the month after that i had another appoinment with the specialists.

they examined the m.r.i scan and said it looks like the disc has inflamed 2 ta 3 times normal size and is endangering the surrounding nerves. they did a few physical tests and decided that my back was restricting my movement an causing alot of pain (which is very true). they said sugery was the best thing they could do for me and they wanted to see if they could get me in within the next week or 2.

the day i was told when the surgery had been set for and that i was classed as a catagory 1 case, was the day i found out i was pregnant. it took alot of sorting out but they have booked the surgery for december 6th when i should be around the middle of the second trimester, the safest time for baby. if my back doesn't get worse or gets better i will be able to go full term and possibly have the sugery done after bub is born sometime. if my back gets worse then the december surgery should go ahead.

it has been on my mind alot im not sure about what else might be involved for example wether i can have a natural birth if the surgery is held off til full term or c section.

Any advice or similar experiences would help alot!!
thanks in advance

Hey! Firstly Congrats on your lil bub! Thats wonderful news! :)

I dont have much advice for you....but I too have disc protrution on my L5 disc and its pushing on the S1 nerve which is the siatic (sp?) nerve in my leg. So in other words I pretty much have a constent pinching type pain running from my lower back down my leg. I was diagnosed with it when I was 16 and I'm now 25. They told me surgery was my only option to cope with the pain, but I refused to have the surgery because I felt he risks involved were too high.
I instead tried things like physio (which I didnt like), Chiro, exercises, swimming and had regular massages (remedial massages) - may sound silly but it helped keep all the other muscles in my back relaxed. If the other muscles in your upper back are tight then it puts more strain on your lower back.

I've managed to keep my pain level quite low....pretty much non-existent for the last few years doing all these things.

IMHO....If I were you, I would try as hard as you can to hold off on the surgery until after bub is born. Back surgery (especially disc protrution surgery) is so risky and even if your in the second trimester, it might still be risky to bub, not to mention recovery would be a real pain :(

My Dr's haven't said anything to me about my back stopping me having a natural birth - I suppose it might add to the pain though?

Anyway I know its not much help to you, but I hope it all works out for you which ever way u decide to go. :)

I want to hold off as long as i possibly can, the amount of pain is quite bad at times i almost never can walk properly always having to limp with the bad shooting pain in my left leg and my bak is constantly pinching. i have been trying a few exercises but 98% of the time it makes the pain much worse. thank you for your help though :D it's given me a lil more to think bout an prehaps a few more questions to ask my specialists.

Hi BD - I have protruding discs - compressed on the left side and I am touching nerves. It sux big time! Having said that, I've spent the last 12 months using a combination of osteopathy, physiotherapy, pilates, and rehab with a personal trainer. I've stabilised my back and have resumed most of my previous activities. I haven't had to stop work at all (I have a physcial job). I was refered to a surgeon but refused to go (combination of denial, obstinance, the recovery period).

The best advice I can give you is to discuss everything with your medical team. Without knowing your full history and seeing your images, it is difficult to give accurate advice or suggestions.

Regarding the birth, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to have a natural birth. But again, this is something to discuss with your medical team. Get your neurosurgeon to talk with your ob.

MG

Hi BabyDragonz

Without being able to see your MRI and knowing more about your history I cannot say for sure but my initial would be that there is no reason why you cannot have a vaginal birth. The only way that I can think of that would impact on a vaginal birth is that your back problems may limit your choice in birth position. The only other potential problem could arise late in your pregnancy. The weight of your baby will alter your centre of balance. This usually causes poor posture causing some back ache. It is therefore possible that this poor posture could increase your back pain.