Natural birth with scoliosis?

MoniqueJW

My Mom was going on & on to me this weekend about how my aunt's doctor told her her back is so bad now (she has mild scoliosis like me) because she had a vaginal delivery - and that she really should have just had a c-section

but really? how would that make it worse? sure I can imagine the delivery might be more painful because of my back curve, but beyond that? I don't see how it would effect you afterwards? I'll ask my ob tomorrow, but I know he won't schedule a c/s for sometihng like that - and I don't want to anyway! Sure if I need a c/s for whatever reason I'm ok with that, but I'd like to try to NOT have to do that

MWoodside

Ironically, my mom was just telling me today that she was terrified her scoliosis would impede her ability to birth my brother & I naturally, but it had no impact.  Tell your mom to talk to you more once she is an MD

MoniqueJW

alright - well after some googling I came across this on the national scoliosis foundation website

 

According to a recent study, pregnancy and delivery are rarely affected by scoliosis. Pregnant women are no more prone to progression than non-pregnant women. Any adult, male or female, with an untreated major curvature may experience a progression after skeletal maturity. The tendency to develop idiopathic scoliosis is inherited, so children of a scoliotic parent may be at greater risk than the general population. Early detection and treatment, however, should prevent problems.

duckiegrl

I have scoliosis too and I always told my doctors about it.  They were more worried about trying to get a needle in there in case I wanted an epidural.  I had a natural birth with my first and am planning on doing the same with this baby.  I had back pain issues prior to being pregnant and it hasn't gotten any worse.  Hope everything goes well for you!

MoniqueJW

MWoodside:

Ironically, my mom was just telling me today that she was terrified her scoliosis would impede her ability to birth my brother & I naturally, but it had no impact.  Tell your mom to talk to you more once she is an MD

ha ha yea exactly - well she was just worried after the doc told her sister that it had caused her back to worsen

I just sent her the info I posted above - proof enough for me!

 

jodi_p

Hmm....that's a new one to me! I had scoliosis but had spinal surgery years ago to correct the curve. The only thing that I've been told so far is that I cannot get a spinal or an epidural because of the scar tissue and spinal fusion.

I wouldn't think that having babies could make your back worse -- wouldn't your doctor mention this to you if it was an issue? You might want to consult the doctor that dignosed that you had scilosis -- they should be able to tell you better than your OB.

Good luck -- please post what you find out....I'm really curious.

veebug22

The only thing I've heard about scoliosis is that it can make placing an epidural difficult and possibly impact its effectiveness, so it would be a good idea to explore other birthing options as well in case an epidural is wanted but doesn't work as planned.

MoniqueJW

jodi_p:

Hmm....that's a new one to me! I had scoliosis but had spinal surgery years ago to correct the curve. The only thing that I've been told so far is that I cannot get a spinal or an epidural because of the scar tissue and spinal fusion.

I wouldn't think that having babies could make your back worse -- wouldn't your doctor mention this to you if it was an issue? You might want to consult the doctor that dignosed that you had scilosis -- they should be able to tell you better than your OB.

Good luck -- please post what you find out....I'm really curious.

yea unfortunately I was diagnosed when I was 13 and I now live overseas, so it isn't an option to go see that same specialist

but I did tell my ob here straight away about my back, and he has never expressed any concerns

this top FAQ answer confirms it for me that I sholudn't worry

https://www.scoliosis.org/faq2.php

amygauntt@windstream.net

I have bad scoliosis & it isn't worse after giving birth, DD was even face up & I had all back labor. Really, how COULD it effect scoliosis? But, that is one of the (many) reasons I chose not to have an epidural, more of a chance of having worse problems.

MoniqueJW

amynjay:

But, that is one of the (many) reasons I chose not to have an epidural, more of a chance of having worse problems.

what do you mean by this? because of possible spinal headaches or not being able to find a straight part in your back? I'm just curious....

BlueRidgeMama

I wouldn't worry about that. Natural birth is not going to do any damage to your back. Heck, getting an epidural might hurt it more!

04TerpBride

I have scoliosis (mild) and had no issues with my first 2 although I did have epidurals.  They were extremely easy and fast labors.  I did, however, have issues with both of my epidurals (spinal headache with the first, difficulty with placement and then backaches afterwards with the second).  Never thought about the scoliosis being the cause of this, but it makes sense.  Because of how my epidurals went with the first 2, I am trying natural this time, so we'll see how it goes.  In terms of back pain, I often have low back pain, but when I am pregnant it usually disapears for 9 months because my pelvis gets so loose and all of the movement comes from down there as opposed to my low back.  Kind of funny how that works.