I typed this in and found this site and your question. It is something on my mind as well. I too have had two back surgeries on my lower back. I have recently had a lumbar block and caudal block. I am also about to turn 30. I have lots of questions about complications with pregnancy due to all these factors. I can't seem to find any answers. Hopefully someone can help you with yours. Good Luck!

Hi all, I've asked this same question almost a year ago, and never got a answer. I Have two children and would like to try for a third, but not sure how my back will hold up. I've asked my spine doctor and he said I should be fine as long as I wait for about a year. Im Im 36 I've had a Anterial Lumbar spinal fusion on L4,L5,S1 in Febuary 07, Im having some problems with the left lower part of my back, my doctor says its my muscle that I need to exercise it, it feels like someone has their fist in my back, I asked him could it be the screw poking me and he said no. Im confused.

It seems to be a mixed result. The problems that can occur during pregnancy with back pain involve the sacroiliac joints if one has had a fusion at L5/S1 due to the stresses on the spine being distributed to the SI joint. Normally the SI joint does not have much movement, but during pregnancy, a hormone called relaxin is secreted, causing an increase in mobility of the SI joint. This can result in some pain after pregnancy. The other site of pain is from the coccyx. After a fusion, the spine is rigid and the coccyx may lie in the way of the child coming through the birth canal...this occasionally results in pressure on the coccyx with dislocation or fracture.
Most of the time, if a person has not had fusion, and only had discectomies, the pregnancy is not as complicated. If a person has had a fusion, then some doctors would recommend a C-section to avoid the stresses on the SI joints and coccyx during the birthing process.
Also, epidural catheters for pain control during labor may not work as well if one has had spine surgery....

Hi I had a lumber fusion on l4-l5 in November 07, During my recovery my doctor took me off birth control to prevent blood clots. I got pregnant, the first thing I asked him was I aloud to keep the pregnancy he said yes but you will be in a ton of pain, it would have been better to wait a year. I must say I though I would be in pain when I was further along but I've been having severe to moderate pain for 2 weeks with no sign of it going away. I find myself taking vicodin quite often to make it through work, even though the drug is concedered to be safe babies can become addicted. Today I go back to the OB and I am going to ask him to put me on leave.
If we could go back and change when I got pregnant I definitly would have waited at least a year, but the doc says it will not disrupt the surgery.

Hi, I'm 37 and had my disc fused at L4, L5 with screws inserted on Jan 24, this was my second surgery, I had a discectomy on Dec 17 that failed to relieve my pain, that's why the fusion was necessary. I returned back to work part time March 10th pain free, with about 90% of my mobility back. We just found out last week that I'm pregnant. I'm not sure how this is going to affect my back at this point, but I'm sure I can handle it. I go see my OB in a couple of weeks to discuss if I can have a natural birth or will I have to have a C section, also if I will be able to have an epidural because alot of anestesologist will not give an epidural if you have had back surgery. I'm optimistic as my husband and I both wanted a child so we feel this is a blessing and that God will take care of the baby and me. So far being only 4 weeks along I only feel tired. I will keep you posted on my progress.

I had a laminectomy on L4/L5 in April 2007. It was a huge success. I am now 34 weeks pregnant with baby #3 and my back feels better now than it felt with my prior pregnancies (which were 6 and 8 years ago). Actually, it feels just as good as before I was pregnant. Every now and then it gets sore (but not painful) - stretching (especially my hips) usually makes the pain go away by the next day. I have remained active throughout this pregnancy, not gained too much weight, and continue to exercise regularly (just walking and stretching and a little P/N yoga. I'm nervous about labor (trying for a VBAC after one C-section, one natural birth) and how it will affect my back (I also can't have an epidural because of the surgery). My back was really sore after the birth of my daughter for months. I'm hoping that's not the case again. However, I will be quick to go to the Physical Therapist if it is. Good luck with your pregnancy!!

I have had 3 back surgeries because of scoliosis and I was wondering if and how many complications would accure if I got pregnate. My doctor will not tell me anything because he does not know yet and neither do my other doctors. please help.

I have had a L4, L5 and S1 post lumbar inner fusion with pedical screws on oct 31, 2007. months earlier, i had a laminectomy on my L4, L5, it failed and lead to the fusion, ANYWAYS.. I just found out 3 days ago i'm pregnant! this is my second child, i'm excited and blessed, however i'm feeling nervous. I'm wondering if the baby will be able to go full term, i really wanted another natural birth, but they say the coccyxx gets in the way...so i'm wondering, has anyone given a natural birth with a vertabrae fusion? Please someone rest my mind! LOL thanks!

Hi, my name is Laura. I'm 25 and when I was 19 I had a laminectomy that fused together my L4-L5 with a metal cage and two metal screws to hold everything together. I'm also trying to find information on pregnancy after spinal surgery. I didn't really think about when I first had the surgery but now I'm curious. There doesn't seem to be much info online.

Also, are there any other women here who had a surgery like mine? I'm curious to know how others are doing several years after the surgery. Like I said, I had mine about 6 years ago and for the most part I'm doing very well. I noticed that by the end of the day my back feels 'tight' and that I sometimes get sharp pains in my hips. Also, in the week before and of my period, sometimes I get back pain as bad as before my surgery. However, I no longer have any pain in my legs (I suffered from intense sciatica before my surgery). Also, I can do a majority of the activities I wasn't able to before like prolonged sitting, standing and walking. Please share your experiences, I don't know anyone else who has had the same surgery as mine or who had back surgery at the age I did.

Dear All,

On 9/2/09, I had a my L4, L5 and S1 fused. My surgeon has advised that is fine for me to be pregnant (I was told to wait a full year from the surgery as BMP (a growth hormone) was used to aid the fusion. My orthopedic surgeon and the anesthesiologist who administered anesthesia during my back surgery both advised that a future pregnancy be delivered via c-section and under general anesthesia (my two other children were both c-sections but with an epidural). I am interested to know how all of you are doing--in particular those of you who were pregnant when posted.

Thank you.