Scoliosis and giving birth

shoff2 · January 2015

I want to hear from other mothers who have gone through pregnancy and delivery with scoliosis. My curvature is in my lower back between stages 3 and 4. I'm not sure what degree the curve is. I've done some of my own research and briefly spoke with my doctor about it. I'm just curious who has gone through birth with this and if it caused any issues. I've read and have been told that the epidural may not work or they may have a difficult time placing it if I choose to get one. I'm hoping to go natural but once in labor I may change my mind.

Anyone who has any experience in this I would love to hear from you!

supersarah77 · January 2015

I have scoliosis but not severe enough to have ever worn a brace or anything. The curve is in the shape of a C if you're looking at me from behind, between the thoracic and lumbar regions. You can't actually tell just by looking though. I have had a low hum of back pain most of my life and expected major problems with pregnancy, but nope, not at all.

I had a med-free labor but have heard epidurals can be difficult to place. My OB last time suggested I set up an appointment with an anesthesiologist ahead of time to talk about it, but since my goal was unmedicated I didn't want to go there.

annerz22 · January 2015

I do not but one of my good friends has it and had a baby last year. Before her due date she took in X-rays to both her dr and the anesthesiologist who works at her hospital. They were able to study the X-rays prior to her labor to figure out what would be possible. In the end she was able to get it. It took a bit longer to place but she just made sure she asked for it early on before contractions really picked up.

Perhaps this is something you could do? I'm sure even if you haven't had an xray in awhile the anesthesiologist a at your hospital would be willing to talk to you as they have most likely dealt with this many times.

Good luck!

hellok2010 · January 2015

I have scoliosis in my lumbar but like the poster above not severe enough for a brace. I had an epidural with no big issues when I delivered my son. I waited a little longer than I should have to request it and that made it a little trickier with the contractions getting intense. The back pain I experienced both in that pregnancy and this one is no more than what I normally experience. It wouldn't hurt to meet with the anesthesiologist to ease your concerns.

shoff2 · January 2015

Thank you all for your responses! It's greatly appreciated.

jodi1008 · January 2015

I have scoliosis around the center/lower back its a bend. I had never been anywhere for it since drs at physicals usually just say it's just a slight bend. So anyways the day I give birth and want the epideral, the anesthesiologist poked my spine with the needle 6 times because he said my back was bent where it needed to go... So in all those pokes I was jumping and feeling a nerve hit somewhere else like one in particular was at the top of my butt cheek on one side. I didn't feel any of this after the epideral was successful. But afterwards in recovery I had a pretty sore back and the nerve on my butt would shoot when I would stand and that lasted months afterwards. I was surprised it happened to me. I don't consider my back that bad either since it's not that noticeable so I was surprised this happened to me, it wasn't a thought it my mind before.

lizrn1975 · January 2015

I agree with previous poster- I'm a L&D nurse and if a patient has concerns about epidural issues, we recommend getting a high risk anesthesia consult in your 3rd TM.

dancinqueeen1717 · January 2015

I have mild scoliosis and I had no problem with my epidural last pregnancy!

Mishie · January 2015

I had scoliosis that resulted in Harrington rods being placed on either side of my spine at 14 years old. Due to it, I had a planned csection since I didn't think I'd be able to bend into positions for vaginal birth. I provided the anesthesiologist with my x-rays and surgery report (luckily my surgery was done at the same hospital). The anesthesiologist had a difficult time finding a spot for the local that would work before my csection. It was maybe the 6th try (ow!) where he tried all the way at the bottom of my back and was able to do it. I'll be having a repeat csection this time.

goldengirl84 · January 2015

I have an S curve in the middle of my spine. I can't remember the degree but it was severe enough to be in a brace for 3+ years. I was worried about the epidural but the anesthesiologist had no problem placing it and it worked just fine. I know so many people with totally normal spines whose epidurals didn't work so I guess you just have to hope for the best! Maybe you could give your OB a copy of an X-ray just to have on file.

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