I decided to post my birth story for the benefit of any women out there who have been through spinal fusion and are wondering what labor and delivery will be like.

I had spinal fusion surgery when I was 12 years old due to severe scoliosis. I have a metal rod in my back, fused from L-1 to L-3.

I consulted with an anesthesiologist before I got pregnant and was told that I could never have an epidural or spinal block due to my rod. This motivated me to attempt an all natural vaginal delivery, as my only other option would be a cesarean section under General anesthesia.

At exactly 40 weeks and one day I went into spontaneous labor just after midnight. I labored at home for about five hours using only breathing techniques and bouncing on a yoga ball. When the contractions were about three or four minutes apart I went to the hospital. I knew I was in active labor because my Contractions did not slow down at all in the car or at the hospital. Although I walked from the parking lot to labor and delivery, I had to stop every three minutes to deal with a contraction. When I showed up to check in they took me right to the labor room, bypassing triage completely.

I’m lucky that I went to a hospital in the United States that uses nitrous oxide, “laughing gas”. I found it to be very helpful in managing my anxiety during the contractions. Notice I said “anxiety” and not pain. The laughing gas won’t help the pain, but helps your perception of the pain.

My water broke at around six or 7 cm. I heard from everyone that the Contractions get much worse after that, but for some reason I didn’t find them any more intense. They just kept coming and I kept dealing with them with the nitrous and I was really surprised when I felt the urge to push and the nurse checked me and said I was a 10 cm.

I had hoped to be able to push the baby out in an upright position with no assistance or medications, but when it came time to push I was exhausted having been in labor for about nine hours with no pain meds. when the time came I just wanted to be on my back with my legs up in the air. I know that’s the worst position but that’s the one I wanted to do in the moment.

After pushing for nearly 2 hours the baby made little progress, and Needed some help. The doctor used a vacuum to deliver her and with the aid of the vacuum I was able to get her out in three more pushes.

There were no injuries or complications to my little one, but I ended up with two second-degree tears that needed to be stitched.

Despite tearing and having to deviate from my birth plan in the pushing position and use of the vacuum, I’m very grateful that I was able to have a vaginal delivery with no epidural, since I was ineligible to receive one.

I hope this story will be motivating to women who are delivering babies after a spinal surgery, or women who are hoping to deliver their babies without an epidural. It is totally possible!