Pregnancy Chiropractic Care
Pregnancy is an incredible time in a woman’s life. Her body is going though many changes mentally, emotionally and physically. Chiropractic care can help balance the pelvis and decrease discomfort during pregnancy and in preparation for delivery. During pregnancy the body produces the hormone relaxin, which loosen the ligaments to prepare the pelvis for delivery. More often than not, this laxity can lead to instability of the sacroiliac joints as well as any other joint in the body. These instabilities can cause discomfort and pain.
Chiropractic care during pregnancy can help with:
Back pain
Fetal positioning
Hip pain
Neck pain
Headache
Pubic Symphysis pain
Round Ligament pain
Mid-back stiffness
Feet and leg pain
Maintaining a healthier pregnancy
During delivery, chiropractic care can:
Reduce labor and delivery times
Decrease birth interventions
The Southern Mama's Chiropractic Difference
Measuring what matters
utilizing research
At Southern Mama's Chiropractic, we are always staying up to date on research and implementing tools and techniques to better serve our Mama's. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality care and most appropriate recommendations.
Pregnancy measurements
Umbilical Trochanter Angle
In 2015 a perinatal chiropractic researcher published an amazing paper discussing a new way of measuring and monitoring mama's and their growing bellies. This stemmed from his frustration of not knowing how or why some babies flip when breech and some don't. Also why some birth outcomes are not as desired or have more interventions than others even despite great chiropractic care and moms taking incredible care of themselves.
What they found from the study was very interesting. They found that when moms had an angle of 30 or less, from the hip bone (trochanter) and their belly buttons (umbilicus), they had less interventions and more desirable outcomes. Whereas the 30 degrees or more group was linked to significantly higher interventions in birth.
We have adopted this technique and starting at 35 weeks we monitor this angle in all our pregnant mama's.
Breech
measuring for confidence
One thing we say over and over again in Webster based pregnancy chiropractic, is that we are not tuning breech babies. Our intention with breech mama's is to assist in balancing her pelvis. When we measure the Umbilical trochanter angle in late pregnancy it helps us as providers to guide you in confidence. For example if I have a 39 week breech presentation mama coming in and we check her angle and its under 30. Then there is more likely chance that the baby may flip. If in this scenario angle is over 30 then we can help mom understand that all life is intelligent and for whatever reason it may be this baby may not turn. Either way measuring this angle has given us assurance and ability to support moms and their growing babies better.
Pregnancy & Chiropractic FAQ
Is Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy Safe?
There are no known contraindications to chiropractic care throughout pregnancy. All chiropractors are trained to work with women who are pregnant. Investing in the fertility and pregnancy wellness of women who are pregnant or trying to conceive is a routine care for most chiropractors.
Some chiropractors take a specific interest in prenatal and postnatal care and seek additional training. Below represents designations of chiropractors who have taken advanced steps in working with infertility and pregnancy wellness.
Chiropractors that have been trained to work with pregnant women may use tables that adjust for a pregnant woman’s body, and they will use techniques that avoid unneeded pressure on the abdomen.
A chiropractor who is trained in the needs of women who are pregnant will also provide you with exercises and stretches that are safe to use during pregnancy.
Why Should I Have Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy?
During pregnancy, there are several physiological and endocrinological changes that occur in preparation for creating the environment for the developing baby.
The following changes could result in a misaligned spine or joints:
Protruding abdomen and increased back curve
Pelvic changes
Postural adaptations
Establishing pelvic balance and alignment is another reason to obtain chiropractic care during pregnancy. When the pelvis is misaligned it may reduce the amount of room available for the developing baby. This restriction is called intrauterine constraint. A misaligned pelvis may also make it difficult for the baby to get into the best possible position for delivery. This can affect the mother’s ability to have a natural, non-invasive birth. Breech and posterior positions can interfere with the natural ease of labor and lead to interventions such as c-sections.
The nervous system is the master communication system to all the body systems including the reproductive system. Keeping the spine aligned and in motion helps the entire body work more effectively.
What Are The Benefits Of Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy?
Chiropractic care during pregnancy can provide benefits for women who are pregnant. Potential benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy include:
Maintaining a healthier pregnancy
Controlling symptoms of nausea
Reducing the time of labor and delivery
Relieving back, neck or joint pain
Prevent a potential cesarean delivery
Chiropractors And Pregnancy:
Talk To Your Health Care Provider
As more women are seeking the benefits of chiropractic care throughout pregnancy, more health care providers are seeking trained doctors of chiropractic in their communities to refer their pregnant patients to. Discuss these options with your health care provider. If they are not yet familiar with chiropractic care in pregnancy, ask them to find out more about its many benefits. Most importantly, seek options that support your body’s natural abilities to function and find a team of providers who are respectful of your choices.
-The American Pregnancy Association