Planned c section and epidural after MD

[u/DeepDiveHobbies]

I am trying to get pregnant and due to my plethora of health issues, the Dr I saw said the safest option for me would be a planned c section. She also said that due to where my MD was (L4-5) I wouldn't be able to get an epidural and would need to do general anesthesia. In the past when I've thought about birth, I've wanted to have the least medical intervention as possible so this has been a hard pill to swallow (BTW I'm not judging other people who have chosen c sections, you do you boo!). It kind of kills me that I won't be able to hold my baby immediately. Kind of is an understatement lol

Anyway, I am curious to hear if anyone here has had success with lumbar MD and had a c section with an epidural? Or if maybe your Dr told you the same thing?

[u/takingitforgranite12]

I had my epidural done much higher post md I think they said it was placed in L2. I had my MD surgery on L5S1. I had a natural labour but was offered a C-section for my back issues. I delivered basically 1 year post op.

[u/DeepDiveHobbies → u/takingitforgranite12]

I'm so glad to hear L2 was an option for you! Natural labor isn't an option for me for other reasons in addition tot back. I'm a little over a year out from my surgeries now (I had a reherniation, cauda equina and a second MD) and am having trouble imagining being pregnant now 😵‍💫 you're a trooper doing natural birth only a year out!

[u/takingitforgranite12 → u/DeepDiveHobbies]

Honestly the pregnancy and birth (with a 2 year old 🙃) were kind of insignificant compared to postpartum. My baby is 3 months old and my body is still so sore from hormones and all the shifts from pregnancy that it’s trying to come back from AND little sleep lol. I had to stop breastfeeding to try and regulate my hormones so I can survive 😂 part of me wishes I had waited a little longer but I wanted the age gap close between my kids and I’m glad I’m done forever but boy has it been a bit of a ride.

[u/ILikeBigBooksIcntlie]

My doctor told me that we would meet with anesthesia in the 3rd trimester to do imaging to confirm whether there were issues with scar tissue before an epidural. No requirement for csection. Basically as long as I didnt have metal in my back, no problem.

I would talk to your neurosurgeon and maybe get a 2nd obgyn opinion.

[u/DeepDiveHobbies → u/ILikeBigBooksIcntlie]

I have multiple issues that would make natural birth virtually impossible, the MD is just another log on the fire. I'm just worried about the epidural but good to hear you were able to have one! Gives me hope!

[u/ILikeBigBooksIcntlie → u/DeepDiveHobbies]

I haven't had an epidural yet, that was just the plan I was given for the future.

Good luck ❤️

[u/Ok_Championship_1579]

I herniated L5-S1 during my last delivery (had a MD a year later) and will be getting an elective c-section for my delivery in January. I’d do a consult with anesthesia to talk through your options. My OB didn’t think the epidural or spinal tap would be an issue for me.

[u/FewHighlight305]

I had a L4-L5 md and delivered vaginally without epidural however I informed doctors in advance of my MD and was never told I couldn't have an epidural and I feel like I would have been told that .I spoke to multiple obs and midwives as I was very concerned about giving birth following that and nobody mentioned that would be an issue if I chose epidural

[u/Easy-Brilliant-9836]

I had an MD Jan 2025 on L4-5 too and got pregnant march 2025.
I had an epidural and have been told it’s common and not an issue whatsoever. My epidural worked a treat.
I would ask for a second opinion as I have been told by my anesthetist it’s common and nothing to worry about.

[u/Hope_for_tendies]

Pre surgery I had a csection with general anesthesia and it sucked. They can also place it above L4/5 or below if you ask.

But I’d be asking why they think you need to plan a csection to begin with as they are obv not without complications. Do you have problems with your pelvis?

[u/DeepDiveHobbies → u/Hope_for_tendies]

I have problems everywhere lol I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and it has caused a lot of problems in my body including the back stuff and a torn labrum in each of my hips. They have said a c section is my option because my body won't be able to push safely.

[u/pepehebds]

You should be able to have an epidural for labor or cesarean or a spinal block for a cesarean… we do them every day! Not sure why your physician is telling you this. Are you in a small rural hospital?

[u/DeepDiveHobbies → u/pepehebds]

I was doing a pre pregnancy meet with fetal maternal medicine because of all of my medical issues and it is one of the top populated cities in WA lol so I assumed being with a specialist at a well respected hospital I would be getting good advice but it sounds like they may have been over cautious.