Chiropractic and Pregnancy

Chiropractic Care and Preventing Problems with Pregnancy

Years ago there were concerns about whether or not chiropractic treatments were safe to have during pregnancy. Today it’s common knowledge that chiropractic care is actually good for pregnant women. There are even chiropractors that specialize in working with pregnant women and they use techniques that avoid unnecessary pressure on the abdomen. They often even have special tables that adjust to a pregnant woman’s body. They will also provide you with specific stretches and exercises that are safe to do during pregnancy.

So why should you seek chiropractic care while carrying your beloved bundle? There are certain physiological changes that take place in the body to ensure the safety of your developing baby. The protruding belly can increase your spinal curve, which can in turn result in the misalignment of the vertebrae and joints. Changes in posture can affect this also, and being under the care of a chiropractor can help prevent these complications and unnecessary pain.
What exactly are the benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy?

Having a Healthier Pregnancy

Relieving pain naturally can help support good posture and prevent the need for pain medications. In the long run it can also prevent the need for medications and injections during the birthing process.

Relieving Back, Neck and Joint Pain

The added girth of the belly can put pressure on your sciatica and throw off your pelvic balance. Regular chiropractic adjustments can help keep these things in check and even help prevent morning sickness.

Minimizing Time in Labor

By getting regular chiropractic treatment throughout the pregnancy term and preventing unnecessary pain you can avoid dystocia, or difficult labor. Keeping everything positioned where it’s supposed to be for the duration of the nine months, makes the final stages of pregnancy go nice and smooth without complications or an epidural. (Yes, it’s worth mentioning again.)

Preventing Potential Problems in the Delivery Room

If you pelvis is out of alignment, the developing baby may not have enough space to comfortably position him or herself. This can cause the baby to be breech when it’s time to give birth. Chiropractors can, using something called the Webster technique, ultimately reposition the baby to allow a normal, healthy delivery.

The Webster Technique

This technique is used among qualified chiropractors that specialize in pregnant mothers. It helps provide balance to the pelvis, muscles, and ligaments without imposing on the nervous system. This technique should be employed as soon as you know the baby is in the breech position. Success becomes increasingly difficult after 35 weeks so the sooner you start, the better.

Some women decide early on they want to have chiropractic care throughout the duration of the pregnancy and they find a qualified doctor as soon as they know they are pregnant. Some women wait until later in the pregnancy to see whether or not treatment using the Webster Technique is necessary to reposition the baby for deliver. Either way, you can put your worries to rest. Chiropractic care during pregnancy is not only safe; it’s recommended.

If you decide to pursue chiropractic care for your pregnancy, be sure to seek treatment from a doctor of chiropractic (DC) who offers specialized care for prenatal and postnatal care. See a chiropractor, such as Dr Spitz who has years of experience treating pregnant women with back pain, neck pain and headaches.