...

[superbeans]

Edited by superbeans - 4/10/12 at 11:30am

[IdentityCrisisMama]

I think it should be fine.  Your MW will ask you a medical history and you will know very early on if she thinks it is a problem.  If you're super worried, you could always call the doctor who did your surgery and ask her/him.  

[Jenga]

Can I ask why you think you'd be risked out for a fusion? Is there a specific concern about the fusion and why it would make a homebirth difficult?

I have a fusion of L4-S1 at 17 (I'm 26 now) and I haven't had a homebirth but two VBACs. The only birthing complication I experienced was that I couldn't get an epidural because the scar tissue in my spine blocked the medication somehow. I had a failed epi with my first, ended up getting much too much stadol and my son was born in respiratory distress with problems "adjusting" (he was drugged from the stadol) but after some NICU time he was fine.

I went med free (obviously, because I had no choice) with my daughters and the deliveries were not complicated by my spinal surgery. However since you would not be getting an epidural at home, this isn't really something to consider, right?

My surgeon, at one point, had even written a letter expressing support for me to join the military. Of course the Surgeon General of the Army took one look at my medical file and said "No!" but that's another story. :)

[saffrondaisy]

I had spinal fusion with rods almost 20 years ago (T1-T11) and am planning to home birth any day now. I had a mostly natural (epidural-free) hospital birth last time and there was no issue due to the fusion or rods. I do tend to get back pain in general, and during labor that is where I felt a lot of my discomfort. But there shouldn't be any reason for your surgery to prevent you from having the birth you want.