Labour choices - if I have a choice?

[anonforthespies43267]

Posted on here previously & Googled like crazy but haven’t had any luck.

Burst fracture of my L1 vertebrae June 20-4, it burst into 3, discs surrounding it were also damaged but left alone in surgery. Spinal fusion in place. 18 months later another operation to remove metalwork as it was restricting movement.

Nearly 31 wks pregnant, consultant led and have an appt tomorrow to discuss whether my back surgeon thinks my back will be strong enough for labour or I’ll need a c section.

I have a feeling the response is going to be ‘we just don’t know’ as it always is & ‘we’ll just have to see how it goes’, however, it’s making me quite anxious as I don’t think I’m going to get a ‘this is definitely the best option’ either way.

If you had a choice between seeing how a natural labour goes or ELCS what would you do?

I always get backache if I sit up for too long it’s just now coming sooner than it has in the past. My concern is the bigger I get the more pain I’m in & don’t know what would be less risky for my back.

Well, I'd see what the back surgeon says first. But personally would not take any risks with spine. Hope it goes well tomorrow

If I were in your position, as much as I want to give birth naturally, I would probably go for a c section it sounds like its causing you a lot of problems and it's only gonna get worse, and then theres the labour its self! Personally I think it sounds like a c section would be the better option.

@ShushhhandPat in the past he just says they don’t know and to see how things go. When I asked about getting pregnant a couple of years ago he just said ‘if your backs going to go during pregnancy then it will, we don’t know’ which I know is just him being honest I just don’t want to hurt myself anymore.

@1990carey I think i’ll feel better if I’m told I need one, I just hope it’s not a decision they give me to make as obv a complication free natural labour would be ideal but I know that’s not guaranteed for anyone. X

I’d bite their hand off for ELCS. But you have to do what you want based on what they advise. They can only recommend.

One of the ladies in my NCT group had a disc problem and was advised to have a section which she did. See what they say in your appointment

I also had a low lying placenta at 20&28 wks too so going back on 16th May for another check. As you can prob tell I’m struggling with all the unknowns (control freak)! X

Pointless consultant appt! My back surgeon hasn’t responded yet so they want to see me again on 20th May. Would have had my placenta location scan on 16th, hopefully they will have a reply & they’ll get anaesthetist to check my back for epidural then too on 20th. More waiting...