Can I deliver vaginally IF.....

[fhl77]

Hi,

I am in my 11th week of pregnancy with my 5th child. I am 32 years old and now about 80lbs over weight. I have always had back/neck pain and have finally found a doctor (neurologist) who has taken the time to diagnose me properly: I have a protruding disc in my neck and about 4 bad discs in my back, one being the L4 (lumbar). About 2 weeks ago, I was almost rushed to the ER due to a HORRIBLE pain in my L4 area. I couldn't even walk for a day and am still not walking right, though waaaaay better. My neurologist is sending me to a pain management clinic where we're going to see if they'll fo an MRI of my lower back to see what exactly happened to me that day. The doc is guessing that I herniated a disc. IF they'll do the MRI, then we'll know how to handle this better. Also, they're talking about giving me shots in my neck for the protruding disc there. Fun times! Anyway, my overall question is- with all this going on in my neck/back, do you all think that I'll be able to deliver vaginally? Or would a c-section be a better option? Yes, I know this will be a question for my docs, no doubt. And I will ask them, of course. I'm just wondering if anyone else out there experienced this type of situation during their pregnancy and how they dealt with it. With my other pregnancies, I had back pain galore, but I dealt and deliever vaginally. However, that was over 5 years ago and things have gotten worse.

Thanks for nay input. Blessings to all.
Tasha

[Claudia2226]

Hi Tasha I am also dealing with a neck herniated disk and pregnant.  I was wondering how did it go your labor and delivery.  I wanted to have a c section (to me is just common sense to do it this way).  But my obgyn told me that there is no elective c sections in this country, and I have to try the natural way.  Since this is my first pregnancy I don't know what to expect and it makes me very scared.
I hope you are feeling better by now

[fhl77]

Thank you for the replies.

Yes, I have seen a Chiropractor- for 2 months back in December. It was a free trial type thing and I ended up really liking the Dr.'s as they were informative, listened, Christian men, etc. However, I couldn't continue going due to insurance doesn't cover Chiropractic care and it would have cost me $300/month. CRAZY! I live in the Bay Area, CA. and am unemployed/struggling. So paying anything close to that type of money is out of the question, as much as I need the help. That's why when my Neurologist sent me to a well known pain clinic that the Insurance paid for, I felt so blessed. Little did I know that pain clinic would be of NO help, as I mentioned in my second reply.

It's hard- I have my little kids rub my neck/back and my Hubby, but you can imagine the sighs and negativity I get with asking them. Plus it's not fair to them. I see a Physical Therapist, but it doesn't seem to be doing much, yet anyway. I see my Neurologist again soon and am just going to have to tell her everything that happened at the pain clinic and how she is basically going to have to push for things/request things to be done herself. She's the only Doc who listens to me and tries to help; not my regualar Doc and not even my OB.

As for vaginal delivery- I will definitely try, especially since I vaginally delivered all 4 of my kids, last one being 5 years ago. The only difference now is how much worse my back has become and knowing that there are thinhs going on in there with my discs. That freaks me out! But like you said, if I just can't do it or I feel pain (other than labor), then I will tell the Doc to have the OR ready, if possible.

Please keep positive thoughts for me and/or prayers. There is  A LOT going on in my life right now, more than I would want to say on here. Not just my physical ailments. I need lots of support. Thank you all!

Blessings,
Tasha

[LosingMyMindInGA]

This is really something that only you can answer.  It depends on the amount of pain you are willing to endure.  It also depends on what adverse affects it may have on your back/neck problems and what treatments they can or can not do between now and giving birth.  

I would personally atleast try for another vaginal birth. Having had a c-section I can tell you they are not fun, but i'm sure severe back pain isn't either.  I would rather attempt the vaginal labor and know that I DID try than to wonder later on.  You could always talk to your doctor about the possibility of having a vaginal birth but having the OR on standby for a c-section if things aren't tolerable for you!

[cocacolapanda]

Have you gone to a Chiropractor at all to see if they can help with some of the pain?  I don't have back issues, but I know Chiropractics can make a HUGE difference for women who are pregnant.  I see one every 1-2 weeks while pregnant to make sure things are still in order, if I go more than 2 weeks I typically end up with horrible headache.  And if you go to the Chiropractor, if you have any x-rays you might want to try to see if you can bring them with (or have your dr's office send them to the Chiropractors office).  They won't take x-rays while pregnant, but if you have more recent ones that can help them see what the issue is.

Now, to answer your question.  I would say yes you should hopefully be able to.  If it's what you want, try to push for it.  A good friend of mine had some disk issues during both her pregnancies and she ended up getting an epidural to help with labor.  She also had back surgery with in about a month of delivering with both her pregnancies.  She even saw a Chiropractor, and said it helped some but not as much as she hopped (but that it was also more than worth the try).  

[fhl77]

Thank you both for the replies. Sorry it's taken me a while to respond to them.

Anyhow, I went to the Pain Management Clinic last Friday and they will NOT help me AT ALL. It was awful and such a waste of time. The Doc. said that I very well could have herniated a disc or have a bulging disc in the lower back, but since I am pregnant they will not do an MRI. I explained my whole history again and how bad the pain was/is and that I need to find out exactly what is wrong so my Neurologist and OBGYN can both help me in regards to what I can do or what to expect during delivery with this type of pain. No matter what I said, there was a rebuttle. I was told that even if they did do an MRI, that they aren't going to give me any medication or do surgery since I am pregnant, so what's the point. I was then told that if my legs go numb or paralyzed or if lose control over my bodily functions, then they would send me in for an MRI. I was in shock! I mean, why would I want to get to that point? I am trying to prevent that. I've been in pain since I was 19. I FINALLY found a Dr. (my Neurologist) who listened to me and has so far figured out that I have a protruding disc among other things going on in my neck and back. She is the one who sent me to the Pain Management Clinic 'thinking' that they would help me. Well unknowing to her, the Dr. there even criticized her for sending me there while pregnant and for even reccomending an MRI. Um, I am not the only pregant woman out there in need of pain management; hence I am not the only pregnant woman being seen at the clinic. But for some reason I'm the pregant woman they are choosing not to help in ANY way possible. My Neurologist put me on Tylenol with Codeine #2 for the Migraines and body pain. I told the Clinc Dr. about this and they said 'that's not good! we wouldn't give you something to cause your baby to have seizures, etc.' Um, at least she is doing SOMETHING for me. And if it was really THAT bad for the baby, I highly doubt she would have prescribed it. Btw- I did call and tell my OBGYN what was prescribed. There's been no word from him, so that's another reason to assume it's OK. Plus I only take it when needed. Lastly, get this- the last time I visited the Pain Clinic I was told that when I hit my 3 month mark they would go ahead and give me anti-inflamatory shots in my neck to at least help with that particular pain. Well after the whole argument over my back pain/MRI, I asked for my neck shots and they plain refused. I didn't know if I should start yelling or crying. After some more 'chat', the Dr. just got up, opened the door and said 'I guess this is goodbye', in so many words. She then glanced at me waddling down the hall (due to the back pain) and just said 'good luck'. That's when the tears started rolling.

I am trying to focus on the positive, pray, have faith, and use natural remedies; baths, ice, heat, stretching, drinking teas to help relax, etc. However when the pain is taking over my days/nights, I feel so lost. I am just scared about this pregnancy, more so than my last 4. I don't know. Please keep positive thoughts/prayers for me. And again, I enjoy reading feedback as it could help me. So please, if you want to reply, go for it.

Blessings to all. :-)

[DoulaSummer]

With just the information you have given, there should be no real issue that says you must have a C-section and couldn't deliver vaginally.  I agree with the previous poster about exploring different positions during labor.  Have you thought about hiring a doula to help you through your birth?  They will help you with resources and information for you to make decisions that work for you.  A doula will also be able to accurately recommend birthing positions and exercises that will help relieve any additional back pain or pressure you may have.  I would really highly recommend it.  Check out the DONA organization website for referrals.

Have you tried acupuncture for your back pain?  My husband used to think acupuncture was crazy talk, but when it was his last ditch effort before surgery he decided to do it.  He has bulging disks and now won't shush about acupuncture.  If your doctor recommends it and gives a referral (what do you have to lose besides pain?) sometimes insurance will pay for it.  Acupuncture is a safe alternative during pregnancy that does not involve medications that may harm baby.  It takes more than one session for relief to begin, but can be a very relaxing and painless way of helping with your back problems.

[EmsMom07]

Hello, congrats on your pregnancy and sorry about your back issues. I would try a vaginal delivery, you don't have to be laying down flat on your back since that might cause much pain on your discs and might put too much pressure on your back, you can other positions or options such as squatting or giving birth in water (if it's available where you will be delivering), but just remember that due to your back issue there will always be a chance for a c-section, so just keep that in mind so that way you don't get too disappointed if your Dr. goes ahead and schedules one for you, or if you decided in the end tto have one due to your back, I would just try to get educated as much as possible for both a vaginal and c-section delivery so your prepared either way. Hope this helps =0)