It’s no secret that the body goes through many changes throughout pregnancy, from shifting hormones and organs, to a growing belly. Pregnancy is a powerfully transformative experience, but as anyone who has experienced or intimately witnessed it can tell you, it’s far from easy in many cases.
Change can be beautiful, but with this beauty, there is often discomfort and pain – both physically and emotionally. Because of this, it’s important to work with a professional such as a chiropractic and integrative doctor who can provide the necessary support for your body, making this time and postpartum as manageable as possible.
In this article, our chiropractic doctor, Dr. Damon, shares how chiropractic care promotes a healthy and low-pain pregnancy and recovery. Let’s dive in!
Why Chiropractic Care is Essential for Pregnant Women
To accommodate the growth of new life, your body goes through massive changes during pregnancy. One crucial hormonal adjustment is the release of relaxin, which relaxes the joints to prepare the body for labor and delivery. In some cases, the ligaments may loosen so much that the joints lose stability, causing pain.
This pain can put the body at greater risk of injury and create muscular imbalances that lead to misalignment. Other factors leading to spinal misalignment and pain include:
You’re carrying an extra 25 to 30 pounds
Your abdominal muscles weaken to expand for baby
The curve of your lower back increases due to the extra weight in front
A chiropractor can help women dealing with musculoskeletal pain during their pregnancy, especially during the third trimester. A chiropractor may additionally help if you have a mispositioned baby, such as a little bean that is laying sideways, in breech, or with its back along your back.
Even if you aren’t having serious pain, a chiropractor can help you stay as comfortable as possible and prevent any issues.
How a Chiropractor Can Make a Difference in Your Pregnancy
Around 75% of women report relief two to four days after a chiropractic session. Here are some ways you might feel better:
Nausea Relief
It’s pretty common for women to feel nausea when pregnant, especially during the first trimester. While the exact cause of this nausea is up for debate, it’s often the result of hormonal shifts but may also be due to disruption of the nervous system.
Chiropractors work to improve spinal alignment, which directly impacts the spinal nerves and nervous system. By improving the functioning of the nervous system, your chiropractic may help relieve nausea.
Repositioning of the Baby
In some cases, your baby may become awkwardly positioned within the uterus for a variety of reasons. Adjustments to help with pelvic alignment can relieve the ligaments and muscles in the pelvic region to create space for the baby to shift into the proper position.
These methods can help prevent the need for a cesarean delivery, which can have a much more challenging recovery period than vaginal delivery.
Chiropractic care may prevent the need for a cesarean delivery by repositioning the baby in the ideal position.
Reduced Labor Time
On average, women who receive chiropractic care have 25% to 31% shorter labor time. In many cases, this is because better alignment in the pelvic area reduces intrauterine constraint, giving the baby room to easily move down the labor canal.
Decreased Postpartum Pain
Many women continue to experience pain after giving birth for different reasons. Oftentimes, women experience pain in the middle back and neck due to hours stuck in a nursing position and holding the baby. Chiropractic care can help relieve this pain.
Women who have had C-sections will also experience pain that chiropractic care can help with.
Learn More > Facing Fertility Challenges with a Naturopath
Deliver Safely with Seed & Soil Wellness
When it comes to your health, it’s best to choose care that supports your body’s natural abilities to create and deliver a healthy baby. While chiropractic care may not be right for all pregnancies, it’s certainly worth looking into and discussing with your obstetrician.
No matter what stage of your pregnancy journey you are at, our integrative and holistic medicine practice can help support you bring healthy new life into the world. Call/text our chiropractic clinic today to learn how we can create a personalized plan of action to support your unique situation.
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