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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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My Epideral Was Taken Out (after Delivering), Have Congenital Spinal Stenosis And A Disc That's Herniated. Can I Be Pregnant Again?

Hi, I am 24 years old and I delivered my first child when I was 21. The pregnancy was perfect, no troubles. I had an epidural for birthing pain and right after the epideral was taken out (after delivering) I had extreme back pain. Come to find out, I have congenital spinal stenosis and a disc (L-5 S1) that herniated during or close to my delivery. I had surgery done 3 days after giving birth on the disc. I've been seeing my Spinal surgeon off and on for the past two years. We've been talking alot about myself having another pregnancy. Besides rest in the later months and physical therapy again, he keeps saying, "There's no way to tell what may happen during delivery." I know I can't have an epidural, should I do a c-section? I'm worried about birthing and my back herniating again.
posted on Sun, 5 May 2013
Twitter Wed, 8 May 2013 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 8 May 2013 Last reviewed on
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Spine Surgeon,  's  Response
Thanks for writing to us.
Pregnancy is not contraindicated. Unfortunately you had disc herniation but it does not mean it will happen again.
There is a risk of having back pain due to increase load on spine. I would suggest to go ahead with pregnancy and dont worry about spine. Prophylactic c section to avoid disc herniation may not be a good option. Thanks.
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My Epideral Was Taken Out (after Delivering), Have Congenital Spinal Stenosis And A Disc That's Herniated. Can I Be Pregnant Again?

Thanks for writing to us. Pregnancy is not contraindicated. Unfortunately you had disc herniation but it does not mean it will happen again. There is a risk of having back pain due to increase load on spine. I would suggest to go ahead with pregnancy and dont worry about spine. Prophylactic c section to avoid disc herniation may not be a good option. Thanks.