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Pregnancy is a transformative journey, both physically and emotionally. It also creates many physical changes and challenges. Chiropractic care can be a beneficial and holistic approach to managing these changes, with many benefits for both you and your baby-to-be.
If you are thinking about chiropractic care during your pregnancy, read on because we explain the benefits in detail.
We often get asked, “Can you see a chiropractor while pregnant?” and “Can I see a chiropractor throughout my whole pregnancy?”
Yes, you most definitely can, on both counts! Chiropractic care is normally considered safe during pregnancy so long as your chiropractor is specially trained to work with pregnant women.
These professionals have been trained to use specific techniques and equipment that have been adapted to suit pregnancy. This helps make sure both you and your baby are safe and comfortable during chiropractic sessions.
Chiropractic care during pregnancy can produce better outcomes for both you and your baby. When your spine and pelvis are correctly aligned, it provides a more optimal environment for your developing baby.
This can potentially improve foetal positioning throughout the pregnancy and help with the delivery process.
Some women sail through pregnancy with very few problems whilst others struggle from the outset. However, regular prenatal chiropractic care right throughout your pregnancy can often help with many of the issues faced during difficult, and even not-so-difficult, pregnancies.
Back pain is common during pregnancy. It can be especially trying during the 1st trimester as your body starts adjusting to the pregnancy.
Chiropractic adjustments can often help ease this discomfort by addressing any spinal misalignments you may have and reducing pressure on the surrounding nerves.
Some women find their nausea improves after chiropractic adjustments. This could be because spinal realignments can have a flow-on effect across the nervous system, with positive results felt in many body systems including metabolism.
Maintaining optimum pelvic balance is important during pregnancy. Misalignments in your spine and hips can restrict the room available for your developing baby. It can also make it difficult to retain your own balance and move around safely.
Chiropractic care helps spinal and pelvic alignment. This makes it easier for your baby to position itself correctly through the pregnancy, which helps your balance and core stability. And reduces the likelihood of injuring yourself.
Towards the end of the pregnancy, your baby needs to move into the birth position. Having a correctly aligned spine and pelvis helps your baby do this, and reduces the risk of problems like a breech presentation.
It can also help ease the labour and delivery process by eliminating pressure on nerves and muscles caused by musculoskeletal misalignments.
During pregnancy, your centre of gravity changes, affecting your balance. This can make even the simplest movements, like bending down, challenging. Your ligaments also start to relax as your hormones change, which can cause joint instability.
Collectively, these changes increase the chances of injury from muscle strain, falls, and joint injuries. Chiropractic care can help maintain correct musculoskeletal alignment and balance to reduce these risks.
Your chiropractor may also suggest appropriate core strengthening exercises to help strengthen the muscles that support your spine, reduce lower back pain, and improve your posture.
As your body changes to accommodate pregnancy, your posture automatically adjusts to carry the additional weight and its uneven distribution. This places additional strain on your spine and pelvis, which is where core-strengthening exercises will come in handy.
The uneven weight bearing can also cause muscle imbalances, which again affect your overall posture and balance. Chiropractors can recommend special exercises designed to address muscle imbalances, and show you how to move correctly to reduce the stress on your spine, hips, and muscles.
Pregnancy-associated discomfort and pain can interfere with your sleep. However, getting enough quality sleep is important for both your own and your baby’s health. Regular chiropractic care can help address the causes of some of this discomfort to help you sleep better.
A healthy body greatly improves your chances of a healthy pregnancy. Regular chiropractic care through your pregnancy can contribute to this by supporting your body’s biomechanics, and overall wellbeing, and reducing stress.
Women who have had chiropractic care during pregnancy may experience faster recovery after labour. As their musculoskeletal system is in good condition, it can heal quickly and more effectively.
“Can I still see a chiropractor after the birth?”
Absolutely you can! In fact, it’s a good idea to do so.
Postpartum chiropractic care is a good way to help your body recover from the stresses of childbirth. It can also help address any lingering misalignments, and support your overall health and wellness as your body returns to normal.
Standard chiropractic techniques and equipment are not always suitable for pregnant women, especially during the latter stages. Therefore, chiropractors use various techniques and equipment that have been specifically adapted, or designed, for pregnant women.
Some of these techniques include gentler adjustments, specially designed tables, and supportive pillows. The aim is to make sure you are safe and comfortable during your chiropractic sessions.
If there is a risk of a breech or suboptimal presentation, your chiropractor may use the Webster Technique to help improve your pelvic alignment and function. The aim of the technique is to reduce ligament and uterine stress, which can help with foetal positioning.
The Webster Technique applies gentle adjustments to the sacrum and round uterine ligaments. It is a safe, non-invasive technique with many other benefits such as improving overall pelvic function and reducing nerve interference.
The frequency of chiropractic visits for a pregnant woman can vary depending on her individual needs, health status, and specific recommendations from her chiropractor. However, a general guideline is:
It depends on your overall health, your specific requirements, and your chiropractor’s recommendations. However, generally, monthly or ‘as needed’ visits are commonly recommended during the 1st and 2nd trimesters.
This may increase to fortnightly, or weekly, visits during the final trimester but again – it depends on individual circumstances.
There are many reasons, and benefits, to have chiropractic care during pregnancy. It can help with pain relief, improve your overall health and wellbeing, assist with optimal foetal positioning, and make the birth process easier.
And yes, you can continue to see a chiropractor throughout your whole pregnancy and even after birth to maintain your health and wellbeing.
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