Induced labour due to back problems?

[alicemagic]

Any advice would be much appreciated

I am currently 21 weeks 6 days pregnant (due on the 7th of October) and have been hoping for a birthing centre birth (or home birth , although my flat is on the third floor and it's unlikely I'd be able to have a water birth here) , but I have some fused vertebrae in my spine which occasionally causes me moderate back pain.
I have noticed that the pain in my back has been increasing with my pregnancy , although is not yet so bad that I cannot continue with my day as normal. If it does continue to get worse , however , then I would consider asking my midwife about having labour induced (so long as I reach full term, of course)

Have any of you experienced something similar ? I am hoping for a healthy and happy pregnancy, but of course there are many things that I need to consider in terms of my own health. I don't want to risk any unnecessary long term damage to my back.

In this situation , what would you recommend ?

Thanks in advance

 

[mum2b410]

No personal experience of this but I would have thought they would have planned to see u at the hospital with a history of back problems?.... Where r the fused vertebrae hun? I've got an old disc injury in my lumbar spine and they gave me a review with an anaesthetist at 28 weeks to see if there would b any problems if I needed an epidural etc!..... Might b worth asking your midwife about future plans re your back pain and if it progresses? Whether they should see u at the hospital or not? Xxx

 

[Lynds77]

I had really bad sciatica from 16-18wks and ended up admitted to hispital and put on morphine. They said at the time if I was over 32wks they would just section me there and then....

I also have slipped discs and saw the anaethiatist at 28wks to discuss pain relief in labour and to assess if I could have another epidural (had a failed one in my last labour which is what damaged my sciatic nerve)

I got medication to kill the pain and had to come off it last week to wean baby off before she is born. I was told if pain came back they would "just take the baby out" so I could get proper pain relief.

I literally couldnt walk though or look after myself properly and spent most of the day and night rolling about in pain. It was horrendous x

 

[BunnyN]

My concern would be that an induction would be worse for your back and could even cause damage. Induction is forced labour so your body is not in control of the frequency, strength and length of contractions which is bound to put extra strain on your back. Your body during a normal labour has much more control over birthing the baby in the way that is easiest on your body (and the baby). If the baby is not in the best position for example labour will often slow down to allow the baby to turn and it's head to be molded. It might be a good idea to look into labour positions that could be benifical for your back problems. I have heard that water birth is good. Hope you don't suffer too much from your back during pregnancy.

 

[Phoebes_mum]

I had induction with my first. I would do anything to avoid it this time. It's more painful from the start and you're in hospital from the word go.

 

[leesey]

Have you thought about a tens machine? I think you may be able to use it low frequency to help with aches and pains?

You'll need to speak to your midwife first as it needs to be considered safe first, and she may be able to advice you as to the position of the electrodes and stuff. Some doctors might say not to use it before 37 weeks though.

I'm with Phoebes mum, I'd do anything to avoid induction again xx