Pregnancy & Chiropractic

Thank you all for clicking here! It’s really exciting to see all of y'all taking an interest in learning more about “Why every pregnant woman deserves chiropractic care”

When a lot of people think of “chiropractic care” they think of headaches and back pain, am I right? But did you know that chiropractic care has many benefits for both mom and baby as well?

From the beginning of conception your body starts changing in amazing ways to grow your little baby. So it’s no wonder you may experience some unpleasant symptoms. Headaches, nausea pain, reflux, low back pain… just to name a few!

Although these symptoms are very common in pregnancy, there is something you can do to alleviate them naturally and have a better and easier pregnancy and labor!

Let’s understand the changes that happen in your body, shall we?

You’re innately designed to adapt to this life - especially when it comes to being a woman and becoming pregnant. However, pregnancy does increase your chances of spinal and pelvic misalignments, which causes pressure on the nervous system which causes abnormal function of your body. In the chiropractic world, we call this pressure or changes in the body “subluxations”.

Your body is meant to have 3 main curves - one in your neck, back and low back. As your baby starts growing bigger, your breast, uterus and abdominals will get heavier, pulling your pelvis forward and causing an anterior tilt of your pelvis. That pelvic tilt will cause an increase in your low back curve. Your low back curve can be the cause of low back, sacral and pubic symphysis subluxations, which can result in pain in the lower body or other digestive issues.

Your uterus will also need more space, therefore resulting in increased pressure on the diaphragm and esophagus, which can cause subluxations in the mid back resulting in possible reflux and heartburn.

Compensation for all of these newly “heavy additions” in the front of the body can result in major forward flexion of the body as a whole, which can put additional stress on the neck, which we term “anterior head carriage” resulting in a decreased curvature in the neck, therefore adding to the subluxations and can cause muscle tension and headaches.

You thought we were finished there?? Oh no no no… We are females, thus super complicated. To further aggravate this postural demand, the hormone “RELAXIN” is surging through your body which causes joints to loosen and ligaments to relax.

Weight gain + hormonal changes + sedentary lifestyle all together can lead to an increased possibility of subluxations.

“So, what can I do??” you ask

Chiropractors are trained to detect these misalignments (“subluxations”) and correct them by specific adjustments.

Your uterus is where your baby grows so it is vitally important that its alignment and function be at its absolute best. Imagine your uterus as a growing balloon that’s anchored to your pelvis by ligaments. These ligaments stretch as your uterus grows. If your pelvis is out of alignment, there will be tension on your muscles, ligaments and therefore your uterus - how uncomfy does that sound for your growing baby?? It not only can affect your baby’s position, but can also cause some other unwanted symptoms and can contribute to low back pain.

The Websters technique is a specific and gentle chiropractic analysis and adjustment that I use in order to help correct pelvic and sacral subluxations and optimize your nerve system function. Although I am not “certified” in the webster technique, I have taken the class and have been using it with my patients for years with great results.

A balanced pelvis decreases pressure on your ligaments and uterus, therefore leading to a safer, easier birth for both mama and baby. And isn’t it wonderful to have one less thing for mama to worry about during her pregnancy?

Let’s do a quick recap: What are the potential benefits of chiropractic during pregnancy? 1) decreases symptoms of nausea and reflux

2) relieves back pain

3) it provides for optimal baby positioning - which is suuuuper nice when you’re trying to push one of those guys out during labor and delivery!

4) decreases time in labor

5) reduces the need for painkillers

6) decreases the potential for a c-section