Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy
Chiropractic care is effective in creating a much more comfortable pregnancy
Chiropractic can play an important role as mother and child develop together, releasing restrictions and allowing the body to perform at its best.
At WYLD we see alot of mums-to-be, so are well prepared to help you throughout your pregnancy.
We recognise that every body has different and specific needs, and every pregnancy is different. As the baby grows, so the mother’s body must also change to adapt and accommodate the precious cargo. The body is simply amazing, and birth is phenomenal. Chiropractic can play an important role as mother and child develop together, releasing restrictions and allowing the body to perform at its best.
Pregnancy should be an enjoyable life experience, however, during pregnancy a woman’s body goes through enormous changes
Due to ligament laxity and the shifting of the centre of gravity, mothers to be can develop poor posture and more than 50% of pregnant women experience ‘low back pain’. There are many difficulties that you may experience during pregnancy, such as back pain, sore legs, headaches, sciatica, shortness of breath, dizziness, morning sickness, fatigue and Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction that can be attributable to the health of your spine.
The goal of chiropractic care is to ensure proper spinal alignment not only to relieve pain but to improve immunity, which is especially important for pregnant women. The stronger and healthier you are while pregnant, the healthier your baby will be. Aside from adjustments, chiropractors can provide diet and lifestyle advice to ensure mom is healthy, active, and strong both during and after pregnancy
Our Approach For Paediatric Care
Gentle and effective treatment
Comfort with techniques and equipment used
Safe for pregnant ladies
Techniques Used At WYLD
Myofascial Release including round ligament care
Diversified
Gonstead
Thompson
Activator (Light touch)
Pregnancy/Webster Technique
Upper Cervical
Cranial Therapy
Chiropractic can be a great source of relief during the nine months of pregnancy and beyond
Chiropractic treatment offers a safe, gentle, drug free alternative for the relief of discomfort during pregnancy and can play an important role in ensuring that your body and spine are functioning normally
This can result in less pain for the mother to be and more room for the developing baby so that both mother and baby experience less physical and emotional stress
Also, by reducing the stresses and strains on the joints and muscles, normal daily activities can be continued throughout the 9 months and many women find that labour is shorter and less painful
By maintaining proper pelvis and spinal alignment and function with chiropractic care,
Research has shown a 24% reduction in labour time for first-time mothers, and 39% reduction for experienced mothers
Pregnancy Initial Chiropractic Consultation + Assessment
When we see pregnant patients its usually to check if their pelvis and spine is in alignment and if their nervous system is functioning at it’s best for the baby
During the consultation our WYLD Chiropractors will assess your full Health history. Including special consideration of:
- Previous pregnancy and delivery, Past/recent trauma, Underlying medical conditions/medications, Personal/family history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), Psychosocial history, including other children, family nutrition/alcohol intake/smoking habits
This will be followed by an assessment of your posture, range of motion through your body, nervous system and neurological system.
- Close observation of any postural changes, Any changes/difficulties walking, Changes to the ribcage to accommodate the ‘bump’, Soft tissue changes, Any changes to blood pressure, Generalised or localized oedema /swelling
Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy
- Safe
- Effective
- Customized care plan
The adjustment performed is very gentle and specific to your presentation. Usually a pregnancy pillow is used for comfort aswell. Modification when needed to ensure comfort to both you and the baby is taken into account due to the hormonal influences on the soft tissue structures.
The Chiropractic care in the 1st-2nd trimester aims to support the biomechanical structure as soon as possible, and then in the later stages, to reduce tension, support the increased stress on the musculoskeletal frame, and maintain good alignment of the pelvis and spine.
Common Issues During Pregnancy
Aches and pains (possibly in your lower abdomen and in your joints)
Morning sickness, which may be nausea or actual vomiting, and does not just happen in the morning
Constipation
Food cravings and aversions
Heartburn and indigestion
A need to urinate more often
Back pain
Tiredness
Vaginal thrush
Hemorrhoids (also known as thrush)
Leg cramps
Restless legs (leg twitching at night)
Varicose veins
Swelling in your ankles, feet and hands
Dizziness or fainting
Fatigue, or lack of energy
Nasal problems, or shortness of breath
Larger, tender breasts
Skin changes and itching, and possibly skin tags
Maintain A Healthier Pregnancy
Women who receive chiropractic care during pregnancy have 25% to 31% shorter labor times
During pregnancy a woman’s pelvis is put under a lot of stress because of the additional weight in front causing a lot of pain on the lower back. There are several physiological and endocrinological changes to a woman’s body such as Protruding abdomen and increased back curve, Pelvic changes and Postural adaptations.
Making sure that the pelvis is well balanced is one of the most important things during pregnancy, not only to avoid pain but promote healthy movement. Keeping the spine aligned helps the entire body work more effectively.
Chiropractic care during pregnancy may provide benefits for pregnant women by helping them maintain a healthier pregnancy, relieve back, neck or joint pain. The chiropractor’s ability to realign and, in many cases, relax the ligaments and muscles in your pelvis has led to what is now known as the Webster Technique, a method that helps breech babies to turn themselves, naturally.
Controlling Symptoms Of Nausea
Chiropractic care during pregnancy may reduce nausea and vomiting by realigning the spine and restoring nervous system function.
Reducing nausea via chiropractic care can help the expecting parent to remain well-nourished, stay hydrated, and maintain energy necessary to power through pregnancy.
Reducing The Time Of Labor And Delivery
Did you know a research study showed that pregnant patients under the care of a chiropractor had less labor time by 24-39%?
The goal of the chiropractor is to correct the misalignments in the pelvis to help balance the uterus and allow the baby to get into a better position. This makes for a faster, more comfortable labor and delivery. Chiropractic adjustments for a pregnant woman are specific, gentle, and safe. This non-invasive technique is commonly known as a chiropractic adjustment.
Chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy may reduce the likelihood of experiencing back labor. This is usually caused by the back of the baby’s skull pressed against the sacrum instead of against the front of the pelvis.
Any baby position even slightly off during birth will slow down labor, and add pain to both the mother and baby. Many women have been told that their babies were too big, or labor “just slowed down” when it was really the baby’s presentation interfering with the normal process and progression.
Relieving Back, Neck Or Joint Pain
Chiropractic adjustments may help ease back pain associated both with relaxed joints and ligaments and with adapted posture, easing pain and improving stability all the way through delivery.
As the body gets closer to labor, it produces relaxin, a hormone that loosens joints and ligaments to ensure the body can deliver a baby.
This phenomenon can impact stability and balance and may cause lower back pain. Women further along in their pregnancy may also adapt their posture to compensate for the weight of the baby on their front body, throwing their spine out of alignment.
Preventing A Potential Cesarean Delivery
Studies are now showing that ongoing chiropractic care during pregnancy can help avoid having a C-section.
The optimal position for a baby to be delivered is head first. However, a situation in which the baby is not in the head first position and will deliver feet first is known as a “breech” delivery. This type of delivery can lead to complications that may result in an emergency c-section being performed.
Regular chiropractic adjustments and care can help mom maintain pelvic balance, meaning the baby has enough room to move into that ideal head-first delivery position. This type of treatment is particularly important the closer one gets to delivery.
Our WYLD Chiropractors are trained in the Webster technique, which is key to supporting you during your pregnancy.
The Webster technique is a specific chiropractic adjustment used to facilitate balance and improve function in an expectant woman’s pelvis. Balancing the pelvis and normalizing its function may alleviate tense muscles and ligaments that can prevent the baby from assuming the best position in the womb.
Ensure Proper Alignment For An Easier Labor And Delivery
The biggest source of pain for most pregnant women comes with labor and delivery. But there are steps pregnant women can take before this process begins to reduce pain, complications, and their chances for a long delivery process.
Regular chiropractic adjustments throughout pregnancy will ensure proper alignment through the spine, hips, and pelvis, optimally positioning both mom and baby.
Because the alignment of the spinal column impacts nerve response, adjustments can also help ease labor pains due to contractions and make the cervical dilation process more efficient.
Chiropractic care is particularly beneficial for women who plan on delivering naturally, as the body will be ready for a smooth and efficient birthing experience.