Why Pregnant Women Get Adjusted

Lately I have been surprised but the number of moms who have told me they never knew you could see a Chiropractor during pregnancy and how they wished they had known when they were pregnant. Having been through two long hard pregnancies myself, I have no idea how I would have functioned without regular Chiropractic adjustments.
So let’s talk about the reasons moms tend to seek out Chiropractic care when they are expecting. The majority of Chiropractic patients begin care due to some type of pain and this is no different during pregnancy. Sciatic pain is a common problem that brings pregnant moms to the Chiropractor as well as low back pain and sometimes even pubic symphysis pain. Headaches, jaw pain and rib pain are also common issues moms seek help with.
Chiropractic is all about balancing the body to allow it to do what it is naturally meant to do- be healthy! And in this case, grow a healthy baby! Because of this, in addition to pain- pregnant women find relief from many things from hip tension, insomnia, reflux, indigestion, carpal tunnel, sinus congestion, the list could go on and on!
In addition to pain and the other various symptoms which can arise during pregnancy- baby position and preparation for labor are also common reasons pregnant moms benefit from Chiropractic care. By helping to balance Mom’s body, specifically her pelvis, baby has adequate space to grow and get into an ideal head down position for birth. Whether a mom is planning a vaginal birth, VBAC or Cesarean birth she and baby can receive all the benefits of the added comfort of a well adjusted pregnancy.
Studies have shown that first time Moms who are under regular chiropractic care during their pregnancy have a 24% decrease in their labor time and a 39% decrease for second and subsequent births. This is a BIG deal for first time moms whose labors can often be quite long and challenging. My first labor certainly was and I am confident that I would not have been able to birth my son naturally if I hadn’t been under regular Chiropractic care. Our typical lifestyles involve a lot of sitting and exercises like running, spinning and barre which can further tighten our hip muscles. This is not ideal for pregnancy or birth! Our modern pregnant bodies need help to prepare for the marathon of labor. This doesn’t mean your labor will be too quick if you are under Chiropractic care. Chiropractic adjustments serve to help your body function at it’s best so will support your own natural process.
The way we work with pregnant Mamas is different than how we adjust non-pregnant adults. Chiropractic care during pregnancy is about gently balancing and preparing the body but also about helping Mom to find the proper resources to empower her to have the birth she wants. My own ideal birth was a natural birth at home. This might not be your ideal, and that is ok! Your prenatal chiropractor can give you the resources you need. Whether it is finding a midwife or OB, doula, a prenatal massage therapist, a birth class, lactation consultant, new mom group, parenting resources, etc. we are in your corner! It is important to seek out a Chiropractor who is a good fit for you and who regularly sees pregnant women. Webster Training is also important as this is the gold standard for how Chiropractors assess and balance a pregnant woman’s pelvis. Care should be gentle and always to your comfort. At Seaside both doctors are pregnancy specialists, trained in the Webster technique and see pregnant women regularly in the office. Please reach out if you have any questions, would like a complimentary consultation or if we can help you find a prenatal chiropractor near you!


Sources:
Fallon J DC. Chiropractic and Pregnancy, a partnership of the future. ICA Review Nov/Dec 1990.
Fallon J DC. Chiropractic and Pregnancy. New York: New Rochelle; 1998.
Fallon J DC. The Effect of Chiropractic Treatment on Pregnancy and Labour: A Comprehensive Study. Proceedings of the World Federation of Chiropractic, 1991: 24-31