If you have scoliosis, you may wonder how it could affect pregnancy or how pregnancy might impact your spine. These are valid concerns, especially for women with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS)—a type of scoliosis that develops around puberty and is more common in females.
To provide clearer answers, ScoliCare’s team, including Rose Mirenzi, Dr. Jeb McAviney, and Dr. Benjamin Brown, reviewed the available research. Their findings, published in The European Journal of Physical Rehabilitation Medicine, shed light on these important questions. Here’s a breakdown of their insights.
How Does Scoliosis Affect Fertility and Birth?
The research offers reassuring news for most women with scoliosis:
- Fertility and pregnancy rates: Women with scoliosis tend to have similar pregnancy rates and durations compared to those without scoliosis.
- Assisted reproduction: There’s a chance that women with scoliosis might need fertility treatments more often, though this isn’t firmly established.
- C-sections: If you’ve had surgery for scoliosis, you might face a slightly higher likelihood of requiring a C-section, however the limited evidence available indicates it is unclear if this by choice or as a result of the scoliosis . Even so, the overall risk of complications remains comparable to national averages.
- Epidurals and anesthesia: Women with spinal hardware (such as rods) may occasionally experience challenges with spinal or epidural anesthesia, but successful outcomes are still common.
While this information is helpful, much of it is based on limited studies or case reports. More research is needed for stronger conclusions.
Can Pregnancy Make My Scoliosis Worse?
Pregnancy naturally causes changes to your body, and these might have some effect on scoliosis. Here’s what the research says:
- Back pain: Women with scoliosis are more likely to experience back pain during pregnancy. This pain often relates to the size of the spinal curve or reduced lower back curvature (lumbar lordosis). Thankfully, it usually resolves after delivery.
- Curve progression: Multiple pregnancies could slightly increase the risk of curve progression, but this isn’t always the case. Given the research in this area is limited it’s wise to consider that pregnancy does change the mother’s body, and so care from a scoliosis trained health professional may be valuable.
- Post-pregnancy changes: Minor curve progression has been noted in some women after giving birth, but this is generally not severe enough to affect daily activities.
Planning for a Healthy Pregnancy with Scoliosis
If you’re considering pregnancy, having scoliosis doesn’t mean you can’t have a healthy experience. Most women with scoliosis go through pregnancy and delivery without major issues. However, there are some unique factors to keep in mind.
- Speak with a scoliosis clinician or healthcare professional familiar with scoliosis. They can help you navigate potential challenges and create a personalised care plan.
- If you’ve had scoliosis surgery, let your medical team know, especially when planning for pain management during labor.
- Stay informed and monitor any changes to your spine before, during, and after pregnancy.
Looking Ahead: The Need for More Research
The interaction between scoliosis and pregnancy is still not fully understood. More studies are needed to answer lingering questions and provide even better guidance for women with scoliosis.
For now, if you’d like to explore the full research findings, you can access the article here.
Have more questions about scoliosis and pregnancy? The team at ScoliCare is here to help. Reach out to us for advice and support!
