Can anyone speak to becoming pregnant after back surgery? I have had two previous back surgeries - 1) to repair two herniated disks (L4/L5 & L5/S1-6 yrs ago) - 2) to repair a disk that reherniated to the other side (L5/S1-1.5 yrs ago).

My husband and I are now thinking of pregnancy and are worried about how this might affect my back. I currently have some swelling around my S1 nerve root which causes some sciatic pain in one leg. It is not bad... but, my pain tolerance is very high. I have always heard that pregnancy is very hard on the back - but, have not gotten much feedback on how pregnancy might affect someone that has had back surgery.

Anyone have any experience with this or thoughts on this?

Hi there, Kobejo!

I am 2.5 weeks post op ALIF L4-L5 with cages. I had a bad disc for 5-6 years (according to the dr. best guess) and didn't know it. I just always knew I had a "bad back". I also have a very high pain tolerance. I have four boys ages 6, 4, 3 and 1 1/2. So basically I had 4 pregnancies with a bad disc. By the time I went to find out why I had such horrible back pain, my disc had completely collapsed. I feel amazing compared to before my surgery. My pain was gone almost instantly after waking up in the recovery room. I had very little post op pain. The worse thing I remember from my experience in the hospital was I had an IV in my arm that went bad so I got phebitis (sp?). Boy was that painful. Other than that it was kind of a breeze.

I just had my post op check yesterday and forgot to ask about becoming pregnant again. I called the nurse this morning to ask and she's going to get back with me. I sounded as if it is best to wait for the vertebrea to fuse mostly or completely. So I anticipate that we'll have to wait about a year before trying for another baby. That is ok with me, because I don't want to take a chance of damaging all that was done to fix me. I would definitely call and ask your dr. I have a feeling it may have to do with how stable your spine it at this time.

Love to hear what you find out!

God bless,
Elaine

I plan on asking my doctor the same question when I see him on Tuesday. I'll let you know his opinion.

Elaine,

My dr's nurse just called me back and she said they want you to wait a year before attempting a pregnancy after a fusion. Some drs may have a different opinion, but that's what my dr said :)

Elaine