Herniated disc, surgery now pregnant

[LaurenH0893]

Hi all, hoping to find someone who has been in a similar position !

I had a Microdiscectomy early November 2021 due to a large prolapsed disc L4/L5 - immediately successful & great recovery.

I found out I was pregnant on Xmas eve .... over Xmas back was great, life was normal then we had 3 days at home literally doing nothing & I obviously sat for way too long & my sciatic pain came back- down to my calf. Not as bad as previously but definitely the same nerve pain (if you know you know!)
Soooo I'm not 6 weeks pregnant & in pain again only 3 months after surgery !
I'm guessing as my pregnancy goes on it's only going to get worse.

If anyone else has been through anything similar what were your options with regards to treatment, pain relief, on going care etc. ?

I've contacted my Drs & gave me cocodamol again while I wait for my surgeon appointment.

Please someone help me I'm going insane !!

Hi, congrats on your pregnancy

Have you been doing your rehab exercises? Mine would flair up badly if I don’t do them. Pregnancy affects your back as your weight distribution changes so it’s even more important to strengthen your core / posterior chain by keeping up with rehab exercises. Also make sure you’re doing pelvic floor and core work too, and stretching out lower back and bum. I find a tennis ball in the glute med can be a wonderful thing too!

You should also mention this to your midwife in case you’d like to have an epidural and it’s an issue with the place of injection, they might want you to speak to the consultant

Thank you !

I was only given 2 exercises to do, pelvic floor & holding my core working up to 100 seconds at a time.
I'm not going to lie, with Xmas, a 2.5 year old running around & a full time desk job I have slacked.
I'm just worried I've f*caked it up & so angry at myself 😣
Last pregnancy I got horrible sickness so I'm dreading that again as I know how much it takes a toll on my back.

I'll be under consultant anyway & have to have an epidural (same as last time) due to my heart condition.

I'm seeing my surgeon next week so hopefully he gives me some options & midwife the week after so will give all the details to her too

That doesn’t sound like much, I’d speak to your physio or at least check out some rehab exercises on YouTube. Things like clams, heel slides, glute bridges, cat and cow, bird / dog, glute stretch (piriformis) - all stuff to include

Any gentle mobilisation will help, you should try and strengthen/ mobilise the area as much as possible

Slightly off topic, but if this isn’t already in the pipeline it’s probably worth asking for an anaesthetic clinic appointment later in your pregnancy to discuss the epidural (probably after you’ve seen your spinal surgeon). Having had lumbar surgery can sometimes make epidurals more unpredictable so they may want to see you and plan for various different scenarios. Hope all goes well.

Aah thank you for that, I will definitely mention it !

Hey! I was just wondering how things went and how you are?

I had a discectomy in September and unfortunately reherniated 7 weeks later. I have decided to not have a second op as I have seen some improvements but still have a way to go. I would like to start trying for our first child this year. How was pregnancy for you and looking after a baby with your back issues?

thank you in advance x