KathyEarhart; Active L; L4/5; March 2009

Kathy · #1 (**permalink**) 01-27-2011, 01:10 AM

I'm almost 2 years post op, 7 months pregnant with baby #3 and completely pain free. I am on absolutely no medication and have zero pain! I have been doing crazy amounts of nesting and working around my house and having no pain. The first of October was when the rest of the pain went away, at 18.5 months post op. When the morning sickness left, the pain went with it. My OBGYN is amazed that I'm having no pain, as most women who don't have back problems are having them at this stage in pregnancy. I'm so very thankful for all who helped me on my journey to ADR.

Oh and I'm having a little boy to join my 2 little girls! Due late March/ early April.

From a month ago, but here is me and baby!

mmglobal · #2 (**permalink**) 01-28-2011, 09:09 PM

Kathy, you look great! I am so happy for you. What an amazing story about the pain leaving with your morning sickness.

Please keep us posted... I know a few, but there are not many women who have delivered post-ADR. The question occasionally comes up. I've discussed this with many of the spine surgeons I know and they say there is no reason not to have a normal delivery. I'm looking forward to seeing you as the poster, ADR mom!

All the best.

Mark

Kathy · #3 (**permalink**) 07-06-2011, 08:32 PM

Thanks Mark & Maria. Took me awhile to see this.

I had Eli Thomas born on March 25, 2011 weighing 8 lbs. 9 oz. and 21 3/4" long. He is now 3 months and we are doing great. He's sleeping through the night (hallelujah) and growing so fast. His big sisters adore him and are a great help. I finished up the pregnancy with no back pain, had a c-section (which caused a bit of back pain for a few weeks, from the instability), but I'm back to pain free now. I can do whatever I want and am doing things I never dreamed possible. I actually 'played' at a gymnastics party with my kids, doing the obstacle course bounce house, flips and jumping in the foam pit (way easier in than out) and didn't have a bit of pain after. I'm thrilled I had the ADR and got to have another baby!

Here is Eli (not sure where the red hair came from- LOL)

Maria · #4 (**permalink**) 01-29-2011, 02:55 PM

Kathy,
how wonderful that you're doing so well! It's an amazing testament to the change that this type of surgery can have for women of childbearing age as well as non childbearing age. I didn't have kids because of my back which at the time seemed like the only viable option given how badly I was doing for such a long time however there weren't the options available that there are now (plus pain meds were totally frowned upon back in my day during pregnancy).

While I know of women that have gotten pregnant and had a baby post fusion (even multilevel fusion) it's really great to hear that one can successfully do so post ADR as well.

Please keep us posted and take good care! Maria