spondylolisthesis s1-l5 grade IV and pregnancy

erin318

I was pregnant with spondylolisthesis. Although it wasn't diagnosed until after delivery when they could do an EMG. I am assuming you are looking for advice on how to cope? I can tell you what worked for me but at the same time know that I was in a lot of pain through out my pregnancy. I found a few things that made it more manageable. Of course your spine becomes more unstable during pregnancy beacuse the hormones cause your muscles to relax. I did physiotherapy to maintain some muscle tone in my stomach to help with spine stability. They also showed me stretches to relieve some of the pressure off my spine. I wore a Bella Band (support garment) 24 hours a day. I was really careful about my weight gain. The last 2 months were the worst, particularily at night. I spent many nights on my hands and kness on the floor sleeping just to take the pressure off my back. After a long discussion with my OB I started to take Tylenol PM to help ease pain and help me sleep. This was a last resort and I absolutely hated doing it. Finally after enduring the 36 weeks I was induced on my due date. I felt much better after delivery, probably because of the epidural but my back pain returned.
So I guess my advice is it may be painful but the baby is worth it (for me anyways)
Wear a support garment
Go to physiotherapy
Talk to your OB about pain management
Stay in as much shape as possible

Hope this helps!

Paultje

Thank you very much for your answer! Maybe next week I have an appointment with an gynaecologist. After that I'll have to make up my mind. Tough decision though.

heatherby4

I also have spondylolisthesis in L5 and S1, they grade me at 6 on a scale of 5. I had surgery when I was 14, My husband and I are thinking about children currently. I have been searching the web for answers of anyone who has been through pregnancy with the same problem. I am meeting with a specialist to see what concerns there may be. Have you had surgery as well?

[QUOTE=Paultje;3577116]Thank you very much for your answer! Maybe next week I have an appointment with an gynaecologist. After that I'll have to make up my mind. Tough decision though.[/QUOTE]

Paultje

Hello Heatherby,

No I didn't have surgery, even though they tried to confince me. I'm not in a lot of pain and I can do many things. I didn't want to risk that. You say you've had an operation, then I think it won't be a problem if you got pregnant because your spine is fixed (with metal?). But I wish you the best of luck in finding answers. I know how difficult it is. My gynaecologist is searching medical files to find a similar case. In August he hopes to have an answer.

Paultje

mznell

Just to clarify:

The "amount" of spondylolisthesis a patient has is graded in quarters, from 0% to 100%...grade 1 being 1-25%, grade 2 is 26-50%, grade 3 is 51-75% and grade 4 is 76-100%. When the vertebrae no longer overlap and the percentage is 100%, it is considered "complete" or sometimes called grade 5.

I would think your pregnancy might be able to proceed with lots of bedrest to miimize the impact to your spine...like they do with multiple births...but I'm just guessing.

I hope you doctor will have good information for you when you return in August.