Pregnancy and Scoliosis: What You Should Know Before, During, and After

Before Pregnancy: Preparing Your Body and Spine

1. Get a Baseline Assessment
Before trying to conceive, it’s helpful to meet with your healthcare team: a scoliosis-trained physical therapist, your OB-GYN, and if needed, an orthopedic specialist. They can review your curve type, spinal alignment, and any history of progression or surgery. A baseline X-ray (if appropriate) gives you and your providers a starting point.

2. Strengthening and Stability
Core stability, hip strength, and postural awareness all play key roles in supporting the spine during pregnancy. Gentle strength training, scoliosis-specific exercises (such as Schroth-based corrections), and flexibility work can help prepare your body for the added demands of pregnancy.

3. Breathing and Lung Capacity
If your curve affects your ribcage, you may already notice breathing asymmetries. Practicing breathing exercises before pregnancy can improve lung capacity and help manage shortness of breath later on.

4. Education and Daily Strategies
Understanding your curve provides valuable insight into how your body compensates and what you can do to correct it. Learning posture strategies before pregnancy sets you up for success—not only during pregnancy, but also afterward, when you’ll be multitasking and adjusting to life as a sleep-deprived parent. Proper positioning skills early on can make feeding, lifting, and everyday tasks easier on your spine.

During Pregnancy: What to Expect

1. Back Pain and Posture Changes
Many pregnant women experience low back or pelvic pain, and scoliosis can sometimes increase this. The growing uterus shifts your center of gravity forward, which may feel different if you already have spinal asymmetry. Supportive braces, maternity belts, and posture-focused physical therapy can help.

2. Exercise and Movement
Staying active is important. Low-impact exercises like walking, swimming, or stationary cycling are usually safe. Tailored scoliosis-specific exercise programs can help maintain posture, reduce discomfort, and support balance. Always clear new exercise with your OB provider.

3. Anesthesia Considerations
Women with scoliosis sometimes face challenges with epidurals or spinal anesthesia, particularly if they’ve had spinal fusion surgery. It doesn’t mean anesthesia isn’t possible, but anesthesiologists may need to adjust technique. It’s best to discuss this well before your delivery date.

4. Monitoring Your Curve
In most cases, pregnancy does not worsen scoliosis curves. However, some women—especially those with larger or progressive curves—may benefit from follow-up assessments. Your provider can help decide whether monitoring is needed.

After Pregnancy: Recovery and Beyond

1. Postpartum Core and Spine Care
Pregnancy stretches and weakens abdominal muscles, pelvic floor, and spinal stabilizers. For women with scoliosis, this recovery stage is especially important. A tailored postpartum exercise plan can help restore alignment, stability, and strength safely.

2. Daily Demands of Motherhood
The postpartum period is busy and often exhausting. Lack of sleep, changes in routine, and the constant demands of caring for your baby can make it harder to take care of yourself. This can lead to prolonged positions and reduced activity often causing you to lean or shift into your curve without realizing it.

• Carrying Baby: If you have a pelvic shift, you may naturally rest your child on that side of your hip. While convenient, this reinforces curve patterns. Alternating sides or using ergonomic carriers can help.

• Nursing and Feeding: Slumping forward during nursing places prolonged stress on the spine. Using supportive pillows and practicing upright positioning can make a significant difference.

3. Long-Term Spine Health
Many women are motivated after pregnancy to invest in their health. Continuing scoliosis-specific exercises, strength training, and mindful posture habits can improve comfort and reduce risk of curve-related issues later in life. With the right strategies, you can support both your recovery and your long-term spinal health.

Key Takeaways

• Most women with scoliosis have normal, healthy pregnancies.

• Preparing with core strength, postural awareness, and breathing exercises before pregnancy can make a big difference.

• During pregnancy, prioritize gentle activity, supportive positioning, and early conversations with your anesthesiologist if planning on epidural/spinal anesthesia.

• After pregnancy, be mindful of daily habits like nursing positions and how you carry your child, as these can influence curve patterns.

• Ongoing scoliosis-specific care supports both your immediate recovery and your long-term spine health.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Will my scoliosis get worse during pregnancy?
For most women, pregnancy does not cause curve progression. The spine is more influenced by long-term growth (adolescence) than by the temporary physical changes of pregnancy. That said, it’s important to stay active, use supportive positions, and follow up with your provider if you have a larger curve or a history of progression.

Can I have a natural birth if I have scoliosis?
Yes. Most women with scoliosis can have vaginal deliveries. The main consideration is anesthesia. If you’ve had a spinal fusion or have significant curvature, epidurals or spinal blocks may be more technically challenging. Discuss this with your anesthesiologist early in your pregnancy so there are no surprises on delivery day.

Is exercise safe during pregnancy with scoliosis?
Absolutely! Staying active supports your spine, reduces back pain, and promotes a smoother pregnancy. Low-impact cardio, gentle strength training, and scoliosis-specific corrective exercises are often safe, but always check with your OB provider before starting or modifying a routine.

What about back pain? Will scoliosis make it worse?
Some women with scoliosis do notice more back or pelvic pain during pregnancy, especially as their body changes shape. However, with good posture strategies, supportive braces/belts if needed, and guided exercise, discomfort can often be managed very effectively.

Will carrying or nursing my baby affect my scoliosis?
It can if not done mindfully. Many new moms naturally lean into their curve when holding their baby, or slump forward during nursing. Alternating sides, using supportive pillows, and learning ergonomic positions can protect your spine and prevent bad habits from reinforcing your curve.

Do I need to see a scoliosis specialist postpartum?
It’s not mandatory, but highly recommended. Pregnancy and postpartum recovery place unique demands on the spine. Working with a scoliosis-trained physical therapist can help you rebuild core strength, restore posture, and avoid slipping into curve-related habits when life gets busy with a newborn.

Final Thought: Pregnancy with scoliosis is not something to fear. It is something to prepare for. With the right education, support, and daily strategies, you can navigate pregnancy, delivery, and motherhood while protecting your spine and feeling confident in your body.