Pregnancy & Scoliosis Surgery

Individuals with scoliosis who have been fused or had scoliosis surgery typically tolerate pregnancy better than individuals who have not been treated and fused. According to orthopedic surgeon Dr. Dennis G. Crandall, "Scoliosis surgery will not prevent you from conceiving babies, delivering babies or raising them once they are born."

Warning

• Most surgeons recommend waiting six to 12 months after undergoing a spinal fusion operation before beginning to plan a family. It takes several months for the bone grafts involved in spinal surgery to fuse. If the fusion is not complete before pregnancy occurs, the additional weight of pregnancy could hinder the fusion process, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the surgery.

Risks

• Scoliosis surgery poses no risks to either the mother or fetus. There are rarely any additional restrictions placed on pregnant women with spinal fusions. They are able to carry a baby to term normally and deliver vaginally. Interestingly, there is no greater incidence of C-sections in women with fused spines. Even in women with low fusions extending into the lumbar and sacrum regions, there is no evidence of vaginal complications. According to Dr. Baron S. Lonner, a scoliosis specialist, "There is no reason that you cannot have children and have a normal pregnancy despite having scoliosis surgery. In fact, you are likely to have less pain having had surgery than if you had untreated scoliosis during your pregnancy. The C-section rate is no higher in patients who have had scoliosis surgery than compared to other prospective mothers."

Effects

• In women who have undergone spinal corrective surgery, pregnancy does not influence the risk of curvature progression. The stability of the Herrington rods or fusion itself is not affected if the fusion was given adequate time to heal before pregnancy occurs. Even the progression of the curvature in the non-fused portion of the spine during pregnancy is negligible.

Epidural

• Even with scoliosis surgery, anesthesiologists are able to provide relief through an epidural during delivery. It is important for any pregnant woman who desires an epidural to provide her anesthesiologist with X-rays of the spinal fusion before delivery so that he can place the epidural effectively.

Genetics

• Fortunately, there are no outstanding risks to mother and baby when the mother has been fused for scoliosis. However, genetics still play a vital role later in life in determining who will face a diagnosis of scoliosis. Any mother with the condition should be aware of the genetic aspect of the disease before planning a family. Any child whose parent has scoliosis should be checked regularly for the condition.