Scheduled C- Section due to spinal fusion

Ginger336

 I was hoping to find someone in a similiar situation as me or who has been through a similiar experience.  I am sceduled to have my c- section next month but due to Spinal Fusion surgery (from scoliosis as a child) they are unsure as to whether a spinal will work on me, and even said that there were a handful of anestiologists that would not even attempt one and would just give me general.  I am fused to L3.  Has anyone had a sucsessful spinal block with prior back surgery?  I really do not want to be put out if it can be avoided!  Thanks!!!

Roxpup

I have a spinal fusion from L2-L5 and they went above the fusion and were able to have a successful spinal block for my emergency c-section.  They allowed me to labor prior to needing to have a section, and I was so so so scared that I'd have to be put under, the first anesthesiologist wouldn't touch me, he was giong to put me under.  I told them no, and they paged a coworker from a different floor, it took a little longer but at least he tried!  It took much longer than the average spinal block takes to get in, but he did eventually get it. 

I know exactly how you feel, its a VERY scary thing.  

Ginger336

Thank you for your reply, it is nice to know I am not the only one out there.  I am fused from T2 to L3 so they will have to go in below my fusion no matter what.  I just want them to try and plan on being very adiment that they at least try!!!  It is very comforting to hear a sucsess story thank you!!!!!

Roxpup

Ginger336:

Thank you for your reply, it is nice to know I am not the only one out there.  I am fused from T2 to L3 so they will have to go in below my fusion no matter what.  I just want them to try and plan on being very adiment that they at least try!!!  It is very comforting to hear a sucsess story thank you!!!!!

Yes, have them try!!!  The doctor that tried mine was very good, kept trying to reassure me that he wouldn't give up til he ethically had to, and was very patient.  

As long as the scar tissue in your back isn't too horrible, hopefully they'll be able to go under easily.  I have read that common epidural sites are S1-L1, L1-L2, L2-L3, L3-L4 and L4-L5, so hopefully they can do one of the 3 epidural sites below easily and that it works.  When they went above mine, I was worried because I had read that once you use a spinal block through a fusion, it can disperse in the body differently than it should, leaving some parts unaffected and other parts numb.  
Everything worked out with the spinal block for me and I really hope it will for you also.  No one really understands the fear that comes along with being pregnant with a fusion.  It brings in a whole new dynamic to an already unknown/scary thing.  I also met with anesthesia before I was considered full-term to ease my fears and ask questions, that helped a lot.

Good luck mama  

Ginger336

THANK YOU so much for your kind words I appreciate them more than you could ever know!!!!!

AZAudiGirl

I had one above my fusion. I called ahead of time and spoke with the anesthesiologist who was scheduled to be on duty during my c-section, that made me feel much better. Turns out that I went into labor on my own and was a little worried that the doc on duty wouldn't feel the same but I lucked out and the doc I spoke with on the phone was the same one on duty that day. Good luck to you!

nycweddinggal

Wishing you good luck getting the spinal, but I did want to let you know that if for some reason you are unable to get the spinal I wanted to let you know that being under general, though not ideal, does not have to be bad.

In my case (unplanned C) I did not know I could NOT get an epi until arriving at the hospital (stressful, right). When doing my intake forms I listed a pre-existing condition that I have where there is the (small) potential for their to be benign spinal tumors and the only way to no for sure would be an MRI, it would be WAY to risky to do spinal without this. Instead of an epidural I started with pain meds via IV but ultimately need a Csection after 18+ hours of labor (turned out DC switched to transverse during labor) and obviously needed under general. I was way emotional over it and made a HUGE deal about seeing DD as quickly as possible. She was born alert, healthy with very good AGPAR scores and as a result I probably had her in my arms within 10 minutes of her being born. DH told me that my amazing doctor basically had to be very forceful with the nurses to make this happen. It was such an emotional, meaningful time and I felt bonded instantly. Just wanted to give you a positive perspective "just in case"