How can my wife manage spondylolisthesis during pregnancy?

Question

Hello doctor,

My wife has a spondylolisthesis grade. She suffers from pain virtually every day, and it can be severe at times. So we are worried about childbirth.

Are there any issues with her pregnancy? She is a military nursing student with a grade 1 listhesis (misplaced spinal bones).
Can this problem be fixed?
What are the complications of her pregnancy?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understand your concern. It is great that you requested pregnancy precautions and preparedness in advance of your spondylolisthesis diagnosis. As you mentioned, she has grade 1, which is a small grade, and if she prepares herself and takes precautions during her pregnancy, the entire journey will be easier. So plan, prepare your body, and think positively. I hope things go well for both of us.

Maintain a balanced, high-protein diet for optimal muscular support and strength. To strengthen bones and promote newborn brain development, begin with folic acid and calcium, followed by vitamin D. Concentrate on exercises that engage certain muscles. You can get support from a physiotherapist both now and during pregnancy. Pelvic tilt is beneficial to abdominal muscles when done properly under the supervision of a physiotherapist. She can take swimming classes or water aerobics to help her feel more at ease.

Spondylolisthesis degree 1 can result in a successful, uneventful normal delivery because it is the least severe degree. During pregnancy, abdominal braces are best used to support the back and abdominal muscles. Try to have restricted movements while receiving frequent physiotherapy as recommended by a therapist. During pain, you can take analgesia, including steroids, in late pregnancy because steroids mature the fetal lungs.

During labor, epidural anesthesia can be used to achieve a relatively painless and effective delivery. So begin immediately with a high protein diet, vitamins (calcium, vitamin D, folic acid), exercise, swimming, water aerobics, and physiotherapy. Consult a physiotherapist and a relevant specialist as well.

I hope things will be better.

Thank you.

Regards.