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Pregnancy

Pregnancy after a Discectomy

12 replies

Lovetobeamum · 29/04/2013 14:56

I'm from south Wales and I had a discectomy only six months after my daughter was born. This was two years ago but I still feel pain, which scares me quite a lot. We are also thinking about having another child and I would love to be able to hear from a mum that has been through a pregnancy with a disk problem.
How did you get on? What helped you? Any tips?
Thanks a Lot!

OP posts:

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Forgetfulmog · 29/04/2013 15:12

Hiya

I too had a dischetomy a couple of years ago & now have a 7 mo.

Immediately after the OP I was pain free, but I then had another slipped disc a could of months later, which coincided with when we started TTC. I was in a lot of pain until around my 5 month when suddenly I wasn't in pain anymore! I don't know, but maybe the weight of my bump pulled the did inwards IYSWIM.

If you're still having pain though you should be referred back to the surgeon who did the OP, they can arrange another MRI - you'll need to have one with a barium contrast which cannot be done whilst preg so best to get it done before you ttc.

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Tequilatequila · 29/04/2013 21:55

If its of any reassurance to you i had a discectomy and my disc had cut across my spinal cord leaving me paralysed before the op and with lots of nerve damage afterwards.. im now 36 weeks and things arent too bad. Being very closely monitored and going for a waterbirth... its doable. Things will be ok xx

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Tequilatequila · 29/04/2013 22:21

Also if it is of any help.. the spinal injuries association holds little info days at hospitals around the country every month and they do one on becoming a parent after spinal injury. All about pregnancy and childbirth have a look on their website. Good luck x

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sweetiepie1979 · 29/04/2013 22:35

I currently have a prolapse disc and I'm 16 weeks. It's been pretty bad. It all kicked of at week 10 and not been able to take anti inflammatorys made it excruciating. I've been on codeine since and had to take diazepam for a week and a half. If I were you I would find out why you have pain now? Don't go forward in pain. Do you do exercises specifically for your back? I am in my 6th week and I am in a lot less pain but Its still there I do extension exercises about 7/8 times a day and try to not pick up my toddler. There is a great book called "treat your own back" amazon do it. It is really helpful about disc problems it's what physios use an it will safe you a fortune long term. I wish I hadn't ignored my biggling. Ack before Ttc my second so please get it seen to. I fund nhs physio pretty rubbish sadly they give you an exercise and hardly touch you but I still go once a week I also pay for private Physio once a week he manipulates me massages me and gives me acupuncture , X-rays and scans to have a good l

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sweetiepie1979 · 29/04/2013 22:37

Sorry.... To have a good look at all of the pelvis and muscles. forgetfulmog how did you get in with labour with your prokapse and how we're you after baby?
OP stay in touch.

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AndiRee · 29/04/2013 23:03

I had a discetomy end Sep 2008. I then fell pregnant early Dec 2008. I was pain free post op but in pain from around 16 weeks pregnant. Prescribed the usual combination pain relief by my doctor which is not really recommended but would not have managed without. Also referred to physiotherapy. Luckily I found a midwife who practised accupuncture and that also gave temporary relief. Work were extremely good and I used to disappear off to the medical room and lay down for 10 minutes when pain got too bad. Unfortunately I needed an induction at 38 weeks due to small for dates baby(not as a result of medication but genes!) so cannot comment if labour pain was due to disc pain or the actual induction. No pain post birth but have had a couple of 24 hour flare ups since then.

Basically it is do-able with support.

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sweetiepie1979 · 29/04/2013 23:25

Hi andilee why do you think you were in pain from 16 weeks, was it A disc? And when you have a flare up now, why is that? Hope it's ok to ask I'm just learning a lot about back pain at moment and trying to build a picture if what is happening. Thanks

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sweetiepie1979 · 29/04/2013 23:32

firgetfulmog we spoke a few weeks ago you helped when I was in a lot of pain. How are you feeling now? did you have the MRI?
Sorry OP if hijacking talking about sore backs is all I do at the moment, I'm obsessed!

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Forgetfulmog · 30/04/2013 08:14

Aargh dd just deleted my reply! Here we go...

I didn't go into labour sweetiepie - I was induced at 36 weeks because of IUGR & dd went into distress which meant I had to have an ECS. So no idea what labour would have been like!

I'm surprised you are booked in for a water birth andilee - I was told that was a no no for me with my back history, I was gutted, but then as it turned out I didn't need it anyway!

Thanks for asking sweetie - still the same really, I've had the MRI, but the results have been sent to the consultant & haven't been given an appt yet. So you're also finding Physio crap then?! Did you look into The Alexandra Technique?

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sweetiepie1979 · 30/04/2013 12:30

I've looked at it mog and will begin it when I'm more pain free so
thanks for that! I find nhs Physio rubbish but private Physio fab it's chalk and cheese!

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AndiRee · 30/04/2013 13:56

Sweetiepie ask away I have no idea why the pain started around 16 weeks. I didn't put much weight on over the whole of my pregnancy as I tend to eat really healthily when up the duff! It certainly felt the same as a prolapsed disc, but sciatica also presents similar.

Unfortunately there is no warning with me when I get a flare up. I've not had many probably only 4 or 5 since 2009 and they don't last long. The first 24 hours are the worst (bedridden) and by day 3 I can limit the pain relief. The worst thing is building up a level of medication again - i'm not so keen on that spaced out feeling!

Forgetfulmog T'wasn't me with the booked in waterbirth honest. My family is def complete now! Think it was Tequilia. Maybe the support of the water reduces pressure on the back?