A woman’s body goes through several hormonal changes throughout pregnancy that can cause pain and discomfort. Seeing a chiropractor while pregnant can help relieve common symptoms and prevent aches and pains from worsening as the baby grows inside.
Chiropractic therapy is secure and efficient for many expecting mothers during pregnancy. Regular chiropractic adjustments allow the pelvis to remain balanced, ensuring that babies are in the best position for birth and eliminating complications associated with breech or posterior presentations.
Reduced Back Pain
Pregnancy is a period of significant body changes that can lead to pain and discomfort. This is particularly true in the third trimester, when a woman’s weight gains and hormones loosen ligaments, leading to an unstable pelvis.
A chiropractic adjustment can help align the spine and relieve pressure on the lower back, reducing discomfort and stress. Chiropractors such as Brad Kern are trained to work with pregnant women, and a specific method called the Webster Technique can help ensure optimal pelvic balance, supporting an uncomplicated delivery.
This technique is also reported to reduce the chance of breech birth, and research and clinical experience suggest that it has a high success rate in turning breech babies for vaginal delivery. However, choosing a chiropractor who is comfortable working with pregnant clients and has undergone additional training in this area is essential.
Increased Mobility
Pregnancy is a time of rapid body changes. This includes changing posture and center of gravity, fluid retention, hormonal shifts that soften joints, and a growing baby that wreaks havoc on once-stable structures. Regular chiropractic adjustments help to keep the spine and other joints aligned, which reduces discomfort and improves mobility.
Women who see a chiropractor regularly throughout their pregnancy often experience shorter labors, fewer complications, and less need for pain relievers. This is because chiropractic treatments address the underlying issues rather than masking them with medications.
Another way chiropractic care helps during pregnancy is by reducing the nausea associated with many women’s morning sickness. This is achieved by realigning the spine and restoring nervous system function, which can also help reduce edema (water retention) in fingers, feet, hands, face, and other body areas. This is a common side effect of pregnancy and can be very uncomfortable for expectant mothers.
Reduced Nausea and Vomiting
Pregnancy causes various physiological and hormonal changes that can make women uncomfortable. An expanded spinal curvature, an altered pelvis, and a higher center of gravity are a few of these modifications. These changes alter posture, weaken joints and affect the function of your nervous system. Chiropractic care corrects these issues to make the pregnancy experience more accessible and enjoyable.
Nausea (morning sickness) is also very common among pregnant women and can be challenging. Regular spine adjustments improve nervous system function and significantly balance hormones to reduce morning sickness.
During labor, the baby needs to be in the proper delivery position. If the baby is in a breech position, it can be challenging for them to turn and cause complications during delivery. Chiropractors specializing in prenatal care use techniques that optimize the part of the baby and increase your chances for natural birth without a C-section.
Better Sleep
One of the most common complaints pregnant women have is lower back pain. Chiropractic treatments alleviate this discomfort and have been shown to shorten labor time.
The hormonal changes in pregnancy can cause the spine and pelvis to become misaligned due to increased ligament laxity and the weight of the enlarged abdomen. Regular chiropractic adjustments can help ensure that the spine, pelvis, and hips are properly aligned and that the nerves are working correctly for optimal brain-to-body communication functions.
Another benefit of regular chiropractic care is that it can help the baby get into a head-first position for birth. If the baby is in a breech or posterior position, this can lead to complications during delivery. The Webster technique is a safe and effective chiropractic adjustment for pregnant women that helps to balance the pelvis and enable optimal fetal positioning. This can also reduce the need for interventions like C-sections.
