Spinal Fusions and Pregnancy: Four Guidelines

There don’t seem to be a lot of us, women with spinal fusions having babies. I searched for resources and direction, but didn’t find much of use. So, I created my own path, as per usual, and I’m hopeful that this might be helpful to someone else in my shoes–rare as we may be. There are many, many (MANY) issues around pregnancy and spinal fusions. Here are the ones I encountered, but please comment to ask questions or share your own.

Spinal Fusions and Pregnancy: Things to Consider

1. The Extra Weight: A big part of keeping my pain under control is keeping my weight down, and staying very active. However, when I got to about 7 months along, I gained a lot of weight quickly and near 8 months I could no longer walk without the aid of a cane.

• Get a cane, wheelchair, walker, or whatever device you can early on. It’s one less thing to worry about (you have enough), and when you want it. You’ll want it.
• Try to gain weight in a healthy manner as possible. Of course your OB can guide you here, but be mindful that any extra weight will negatively impact your fusion.

2. The Relaxin Hormone: Your body does amazing things when you’re pregnant and one of these things is helping you prepare for childbirth through the hormone relaxin (real name, yeah). If you are like me and have adjacent segment disease in your SI Joint, this extra mobility means extra pain and inflammation.

• Grab an SI Dysfunction Belt. This is the exact one I used, and I’ll still whip it out from time to time: Serola Sacroiliac Hip Belt.
• If it’s available to you, work with a physical therapist to strengthen your core muscles and pelvic floor before you deliver.

3. Speak with the Anesthesiologist Who Will Be Administering Any Pain Control (i.e. epidurals): The most common form of pain control involves the spine, and there is a possibility that normal epidural procedures may not be as effective as you’d like.

• Ask your OB to give you the contact information of the anesthesiology team you’ll be working with on delivery day. Meet with that person or team in person and discuss your options. For me, we decided to try a normal epidural with the possibility of a caudal epidural if that failed. We also administered it a bit earlier in my labor so I would know if we needed to look at plan B. (We didn’t. It worked like a charm. And 29 hours of labor later, my daughter was born.)
• Research and know your options, write them down, then advocate for yourself. When it’s time to deliver your baby, there will be a lot happening at once. Make sure you let everyone know what you discussed with your care team and vocalize it often.

4. Don’t Forget About Post-Care: It’s easy to get wrapped up in the pregnancy and delivery process, and it’s easy to forget that this is a tough, painful, intense time in the best of circumstances.

• Talk to your family and friends about a way to make sure you get the rest you need so you don’t compound the stress in your back. Caring for a newborn is a lot of work, and it’s ok to ask for help! In fact, most people are just waiting for the chance. You’ll be surprised how eager they are (ESPECIALLY GRANDMAS).
• Work to strengthen your core again, in a slow controlled way, as soon as you are able. Your core muscles have been stretched and ripped during pregnancy, but you still desperately need them!

Finally, consider doing some daily mindfulness or meditation practices. This is a beautiful time of transformation and your body is showing its resiliency! Be mindful of that. Be grateful for that. And hang on tight! You got this, mama.