We hear it all the time: I wish I knew about the benefits of chiropractic care during my first pregnancy.
Yes, it is not only safe for expecting mothers to visit the chiropractor during pregnancy, but it can be massively beneficial on multiple levels. It can make your pregnancy more comfortable, help set your body up for a successful labor, and even help your contractions pick back up while you’re in labor.
At Comprehensive Chiropractic, Dr. Wagner specializes in pregnancy and pediatric care. She has taken extra courses in spinning babies, craniosacral, lip and tongue tie, and is certified in the Webster Technique. This allows her to have a well versed knowledge in many aspects of pregnancy and pediatric care that supports a comfortable, safe, and easier birth. If the baby isn’t in the most optimal position for a vaginal birth, the Webster Technique helps create room for the baby to turn into the optimal position if they are able to.
What is Involved in Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy?
Treating pregnant mothers has some similarities to a typical appointment, but some techniques are specific to pregnancy; we focus more on balancing the pelvis and on soft tissue work around the round ligaments and hip muscles to keep them open.
Many expecting mothers want to make sure their body is properly aligned, because that helps make the labor faster and easier. For those people – with no specific pains or issues – we follow a pregnancy protocol. We check the sacral alignment and ligaments; the low back and pelvis alignment; and we adjust other body parts, as normal.
We also offer special pillows that allow you to lie face down (which is quite a treat!) while the doctor assesses your pelvis and spine. To work on the round ligaments, public bone, and pain on the front of the pelvis/stomach, that work is done face up. We also can do myofascial release and work on the muscles of the psoas and piriformis to keep the hips nice and balanced.
We also often give mothers certain exercises to do at home to help alleviate general pregnancy pains, especially as time goes on. We teach you how to do self-massage at home using a lacrosse ball, as well as exercises for people who sit at a desk a lot; your seated posture is different when you’re pregnant.
Any other specific concerns will also be addressed (i.e. carpal tunnel, rib pain, headaches, neck pain, hip pain, knee pain).
Exactly what is involved in chiropractic care during pregnancy ultimately depends on your needs.
How often to come back for more care really depends on the person, too. It’s typically more frequent (weekly or so) in the third trimester – not because it’s required, but because people want to due to how much better they feel after a visit.
Is Chiropractic Care Safe During Pregnancy?
Chiropractic care is safe at any time during pregnancy, whether that’s six weeks pregnant or while in labor. In fact, about 50 percent of Dr. Wagner’s patients are pregnant or postpartum.
The only contraindication would be if you have active bleeding during your pregnancy and your doctor doesn’t recommend it. Still, all of our treatments are so gentle and pressure can be adjusted for different needs and preferences that even some women who are on bed rest have been cleared by their doctor to get chiropractic care.
Why Should I Have Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy?
Many people assume that pregnancy pain is normal and something you have to just suffer through. But chiropractic care during pregnancy is effective. It can reduce discomfort, help relieve low back pain due to the chaining weight of the stomach, and help with mid-back pain from larger breasts or holding other babies while pregnant.
Due to the hormone relaxin that is released during pregnancy to relax the ligaments, the body is also more prone to going out of alignment; so sometimes pregnancy can bring up sciatica stemming from the SI joint. The ligaments are too loose and create tension on the nerve. We can help with that, too.
The Benefits Of Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care is safe for expecting mothers and can relieve intense pressure and or pain they are feeling. The many benefits include:
- Relief and prevention of common discomforts during pregnancy
- Shorter labor times
- Optimal fetal positioning
- A noninvasive, drug-free treatment specialized for your body
- Aligning and strengthening the mother’s pelvis to reduce back pain, while also facilitating neuro-biomechanical function in the pelvis.
In addition, we work with many local OB/GYNs, midwives, and birth centers. We can communicate easily with your provider to keep you safe and keep everyone informed.
Final Thoughts On Prenatal Chiropractic Care
So many people say they wish they had known about chiropractic relief during pregnancy – and also after giving birth. Birth is a traumatic process for both the baby and mom, and we also offer free newborn check-ups for all our pregnancy patients.
Whereas pelvic floor therapists handle the internal work on a postnatal body, chiropractic care can help with the external needs. The two skill sets combined are a powerful combination to help you recover from pregnancy and childbirth.