Back pain and herniated disc during pregnancy

– In a pregnant woman, the growing fetus in the abdomen in the following months normally creates an additional burden on the waist and negatively affects the biomechanics of the waist. However, since the fetus grows slowly, the waist and back muscles and supporting tissues adapt to this development and balance the weight in the front. For this reason, risk-free and light exercises to be done in the first months of pregnancy provide great advantages to the expectant mother in the following months.
– However, if there is a herniated disc with pregnancy, the work of the doctor and the patient is very difficult. Because the difficulty begins in the diagnosis period.
– X-rays required for a clear diagnosis and computed tomography examination cannot be performed due to x-rays that may be harmful to the baby. If absolutely necessary, magnetic resonance imaging may be considered.
– Medicine cannot be given to the patient, especially in the first three months. Faced with a patient with severe back and leg pain during this period, the doctor is really in trouble.
– A painful pregnant patient with a herniated disc should first be put on absolute hard bed rest. After the first three months, light massages and heat applications at home can provide comfort, albeit partially. In addition, an exercise program for the abdominal muscles can be applied under the supervision of a doctor.
– This critical nine months should be avoided by relieving the patient and taking measures to prevent the hernia from progressing further.
– During delivery, the neurosurgeon doctor and the obstetrician and gynecologist following the patient evaluate the latest situation together and decide between normal delivery and cesarean section.
– After the birth, the patient is considered again, and diagnosis and treatment methods are applied under normal conditions, and the final result is then obtained.
– Regardless of the form of birth (cesarean section or normal birth), the patient should be included in exercise programs that strengthen the abdominal muscles during the puerperium, since the abdominal muscles will be relaxed after birth.
– If a pregnant woman has a herniated disc and absolutely requires surgery, this procedure should be performed with spinal or epidural anesthesia.