Scheduled for back surgery at 15 wks

[bananabee]

Has anyone else had back surgery while pregnant and remained pregnant? I found out I was pregnant 5 minutes before I was supposed to have back surgery back in Sept. They said we could do it later when general anesthesia wouldn't harm the baby. There's a risk that I'll miscarry due to the trauma, but my OB seems very optimistic that everything will be fine. I'm having a spinal fusion done on L5-S1, and I hear recover is going to be rough. It would be very reassuring to hear from someone who has been through something similar and had a positive outcome. I wish I didn't have to go through with this but I'm so disabled I wouldn't be able to physically bear the 3rd trimester like this. I'm limited to lying on my back day and night, which would be harmful to both me and baby.

Any encouragement anyone can offer, I'd sure appreciate. Surgery is on Dec 18th.

[Plummeting]

I didn't want to read without offering some support, although I have no experience to relay. It seems like this is clearly the best option for you and I hope it goes smoothly and you are able to feel confident between now and then.

[Jane]

Never back surgery, but I've had several clients needing surgery and general anesthethia during pregnancy. Although anecdotes are not a guarentee, everyone has been fine - happy babies and healthier mamas. I would think you're in a slightly better situation that someone with appendicitis, as you don't have an infection process + surgery, just an injury and inflamation process.

[bananabee]

Thanks, ladies. Well I have good news to report! Baby seems to be doing just fine. We've heard the heartbeat twice since surgery, and will hear it again tonight. It was 150 last night, and prior to surgery it was 160, so it's still in normal range just a tad slow due to the narcotics I'm on. My OB said if I was to lose the baby, it would happen in the first 24 hrs, and we are well past that now. I am so happy now that I know I'm going to be a mommy!!

Also, my surgery took 5 hrs rather than the expected 2-3 hrs, as it turned out I was in a lot worse shape than I was a couple months ago. Even so, it was extremely successful. Recovery is very painful so far, and the drugs just barely take the edge off, but today for the first time in 3 months, I was able to sit in a chair.

[Babydoll1285]

That's great news, bananabee! I had that same fusion done 6 years ago and I CANNOT imagine doing that while pregnant. You've got a long road ahead but it'll much better than w/o the fusion. Will you get to start physical therapy in a few months or will you have to wait til after your peanut arrives? Physical therapy was the biggest key to my recovery...I wish I had stuck with it longer than just 9 mo after my surgery.

Best of luck to you! Message me if you have any questions about the fusion/recovery/etc!

[Athravil]

That is fantastic! I am so happy for you.
I am recovering from appendicitis surgery a month ago - it is such a wonderful feeling to know the baby is fine after. I also felt that everyone took extra care about me because I am pregnant. The follow up after surgery has been great, especially as I was unfortunate to get an infection/abscess from the surgery. They have been checking and cleaning the wound "daily" and checking that the baby is ok. They have double checked all kinds of medicine I have had to use to be sure it will be safe during pregnancy. I have felt very safe during all this.

I hope you will have a good and speedy recovery. Take care that you are not straining yourself!