Pregnancy After ADR

[Clairem]

Thanks Alistair and Paulette.
Paulette, I have my fingers crossed for you.

[Nairek]

I aked my doctor the question about the getting pregnant after ADR surgery. According to him, it's ok to become preggers after the surgery & he told me that I would be better off having a "better" back for the pregnancy.

[LisaB]

I had my son when I was 35 and was having serious back problems by the time I had him. Carrying and delivering was pretty rough.

I haven't had an ADR (yet), but, if I were you I would follow my heart. I too felt the same as you about a child growing inside me and feeding at my breast and don't think I would have felt complete if I hadn't gone through that. I think, at the worst, you would have to have bed rest at the end of the pregnancy and have to have a C-section. My other concern would maybe be to aggravate any additional problems that may not show up yet and need pain meds and have to wait. As I said, this would probably worst case. But, you would be amazed at what you can deal with when you know what the gift at the end will be.

I hope that you are able to follow your heart on this.

[letteski]

LisaB

You sure do understand how I feel. Thank you this last ADR doctors did also say I may have to lay down for the last month (I am definitely good at laying down) and for that prize I would do it for 9 months. If you add all the months I have been laid up in the last 6 years I could have a basketball team with subs.

[LisaB]

Well Paulette, why don't we just try for one just now!! LOL!! I know what you mean about being down too. I haven't been down for a year yet as far as my physical restrictions and I still try to do too much and it comes back to bite me in the ----!! LOL!!

[Danielle Shawgo]

I am planning to get pregnant after ADR. I am 23 years old and I have lived 3 years with this cirppling pain. When was I supposed to have my family? My doctor is aware of this and they said that they would let me know when it would be safe. I am also aware that a C-Setion may be necessary but my OBGYN thinks that a regular birth will be possible.

[SenecaGirl]

I was also told to wait after my ADR surgery to become pregnant -- my neuro said my body couldn't handle the extra weight and strain in my bad back condition. We plan on starting a family next year, well after my 12 month mark. I will be 27.

I'm glad this topic was started, as I didn't think too much more into the subject of how my ADR will influence a pregnancy. I hadn't even given thought to a possible C-Section.

We need more information on this subject. Anybody out there have any sources we can go to for info?

[jxe126]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for starting this topic Paulette; it is a very important one. Seneca girl is right...we do need more info.

I too am at that point of trying to figure out how my husband and I are going to be able to have children. I just had my 3-level ADR 3 weeks ago with Dr. B and although I am doing very well, I would be afraid to put my body through a pregnancy before one year. I did ask one of the doctors that assists Dr. Bertagnoli, and he also said to wait a year. I'll be 38 then, so we are facing timing issues too.

I just knew that before the ADR surgery, my back would have never made it through a pregnancy and if by some miracle it would have made it through the pregancy, I know I wouldn't have been able to lift my baby in and out of a crib multiple times a day. At least with my new discs, I have a better chance!!

I meet with Dr. Yue (in Ct) in a few weeks and I was planning on asking him about pregnancy. I'll let everyone know what he has to say.

JULIE : )

[Dale S]

Paulette,

I have found that different specialists, ob's vs. ortho's, etc., know far too little about other specialties. Your ob may not realize how little or how much stress your new back can take. During the last trimester, the lumbar curve of your back is magnified. I would think your adr surgeon would be the goto guy in instance.

But there is something else that you might want to consider. Carrying a baby on your hip also puts stress on your back. Older babies can weigh 25-30 lbs, or more and toddlers even more than that. Though you can change positions as often as necessary, just ask anyone who's been there. I would also discuss alternative ways of carrying a baby with your surgeon, like the use of a harness that distributes the baby's weight more evenly.

Whatever you decide, a baby is still a miracle, as is a grand-baby. (If you're serious about doners, and though I don't know him personally, I would stay away from Rein ha-ha) Unfortunately, babies grow up to be teenagers.... I can attest to the current definition for a 16 year old. It's the terrible 2's, multiplied by 8 with a driver's license. (Are you sure you want to do this) I firmly believe that my children are my mother's way of getting even... and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

I wish you all the luck

Dale

[letteski]

Dale,

GEAT ADVICE���.I will stay way away���. as I head out the door for yet another blind date wish me luck���He�s a PT. Could be helpful in the future.