Six months ago the ward admitted a 36-year-old pregnant woman, Huang, who had been trying IVF before and finally got pregnant, but at 6 months her old problem of lumbar disc herniation came back, more serious than before, and she was admitted to our ward. Finally, after a painful choice, the patient was discharged from the hospital with pain …… Two days ago, I met a 34-year-old Li who also suffered from a severe lumbar disc herniation but was now asymptomatic, and she consulted whether there was any danger of pregnancy. She said no, I’m already using ovulation pills, if I don’t ovulate this month, I’ll come back to treat my lumbar spine …… Although no domestic or foreign research has given an exact incidence of lumbar disc herniation in women during pregnancy, it is still the biggest risk that plagues the spine of pregnant women. Moreover, cauda equina syndrome, in which severe neurological impairment and urinary and fecal abnormalities occur as a result of lumbar disc herniation, has been reported in pregnant women. Of course the vast majority of lumbar disc herniations that complicate pregnancy are treated conservatively, but if they are very severe they may progress to the stage where surgery is required. Although there are cases and experiences of successful surgery for lumbar disc herniation in pregnant women, both nationally and internationally, it is often a painful choice for the patients themselves to choose either side when faced with their own pain and the safety of their fetus. Let’s start by understanding lumbar disc herniation, which is a multifaceted and common disease in the population. It is a group of symptoms caused mainly by degeneration of the intervertebral disc, rupture of the fibrous ring or prolapse of the nucleus pulposus, stimulation or compression of the spinal nerve roots and cauda equina. In adults, degenerative changes occur in the intervertebral disc, and the fibers in the annulus fibrosus become thicker, more brittle and finally fracture, so that the intervertebral disc loses its original elasticity and cannot bear the original pressure. Under overstrain, sudden change in position, violent action or violent impact, the annulus fibrosus can bulge outward, so that the nucleus pulposus can also protrude outward through the fissure of the ruptured annulus fibrosus, which is called disc herniation. Low back pain with radiating pain in one or both legs (sciatica) is a typical clinical manifestation, and in severe cases foot drop and abnormal bowel movements (cauda equina syndrome) may also occur. The risk of maternal lumbar disc herniation can be divided into three stages: (1) Prenatal stage: The long October pregnancy is a big project for the mother-to-be. When the fetus grows gradually and the pregnant woman’s belly gradually bulges, it will change the body’s center of gravity and increase the lumbar flexion, and this change in the line of force is a great threat to lumbar disc herniation; together with the hormonal changes in the body during pregnancy, the muscles and ligaments in the lumbar region further relax and The protective effect on the lumbar spine further decreases, so the risk of lumbar disc herniation with pregnancy is also increasing; of course some pregnant women lack exercise and continue to rest after pregnancy, the lack of strength of the lumbar muscles, it is difficult to fight the increased burden is also a potential risk. (2) delivery stage: the continuous increase in abdominal pressure during normal delivery is a huge hidden danger of lumbar disc herniation, which is why many mothers have lumbar disc herniation after delivery; secondly, if the mother herself has lumbar disc herniation, the anesthesia process of painless delivery or cesarean section is also a threat to aggravate lumbar disc herniation; (3) postpartum stage: the maternal muscles and ligaments are further relaxed and lack the necessary exercise; Some maternal over-nutrition and weight gain are all risks for maternal lumbar disc herniation in the early postpartum stage. Advice from orthopedic surgeon: (1) Women must clarify whether they have lumbar disc herniation before pregnancy. If you have had similar back pain or leg pain before, it is recommended to visit orthopedic clinic to clarify the presence of lumbar disc herniation through professional consultation, physical examination and necessary imaging (lumbar spine MRI or CT) by orthopedic surgeon. (2) If a lumbar disc herniation is present before pregnancy, it is best to see an orthopedic specialist to assess the risk before pregnancy; if it is very severe, surgical intervention may be required before pregnancy (open surgery and minimally invasive foraminoplasty or discoscopy are now available); if it is not severe enough to get pregnant, it is also recommended to have continuous evaluation by an orthopedic surgeon in the pregnancy file, or even to establish a link between the orthopedic surgeon and the obstetrician and gynecologist. The orthopaedic surgeon gives specialist advice to the obstetrician and gynaecologist for the final decision whether to deliver by normal birth or by caesarean section. (3) pregnant women had better sleep on a hard mattress, pregnant women’s lumbar spine curvature than before, if you sleep on a soft bed, the spine will show an abnormal arc, a certain hardness of the mattress can well support the pregnant woman’s body, so that the spine as far as possible to maintain a normal position, brown mattress or a hard bed with a cotton mattress is better. (4) to develop good posture habits, whether holding the child, breastfeeding, bathing the child, changing clothes to try to avoid sedentary and bending forward, because this will lead to increased pressure on the lumbar disc and the risk of lumbar disc herniation. (5) Whether prenatal or postnatal, moderate exercise is necessary to increase the strength of the muscles and ligaments in the low back and to strengthen the protective effect of the lumbar spine. (6) Use of auxiliary devices: For pregnant women who already suffer from lumbar disc herniation, using some pregnancy belts and baby holding belts under the guidance of a doctor is also an option to protect the lumbar spine.