by Lindsay Peterson, DC
Chiropractic has been shown to help women throughout their pregnancies. Check out this article to find out how.
Chiropractic & Pregnancy: What to know
Dr. Lindsay adjusting a mother-to-be in Haiti.
It’s not uncommon for a new or expectant mother to want to do everything in her ability to nourish and provide for the new life that she is about to bring into this world. This feeling is often accompanied by a lot of questioning and concern… “How can I best provide for this new life? Is what I’m doing safe? What are the best choices for me and for my baby? What can I do to improve my chances of delivering a healthy baby?” It’s natural to have these curiosities and every woman should be provided with enough information to make educated decisions regarding the health of herself and the new life she is supporting.
This post aims to provide answers to many, if not all, of the questions that may be present when considering chiropractic care and pregnancy. Naturally, many women ask, “Is it okay to see a chiropractor if I’m pregnant?” Good news! It is not only safe, but actually encouraged for women to seek chiropractic care before, during and after pregnancy. Chiropractic adjustments are non-invasive, drug-free and serve as the best natural way to help manage many of the common signs and symptoms associated with pregnancy while also providing numerous health benefits for the baby. Some of the benefits to getting adjusted throughout pregnancy include, but are not limited to:
- Improved posture
- Improved sleep
- Relief of pressure on the spine and nerves
- Reduced tension and pain (low back pain, pelvic pain, sciatica, etc.)
- Shorter labor times
- Less need for intervention during delivery
- Improved recovery from labor and delivery
- Encouragement of ideal fetal positioning
So, why is chiropractic care during pregnancy so important? Chiropractic adjustments improve function of the nervous system, which allows better communication between the brain and body (both mom and baby) and contributes to a healthier pregnancy. And, of course… Healthy pregnancies lead to healthy babies! With such an immense amount of change happening in both mom and baby, there is no better time to ensure that mom’s nervous system can function without interference. Additionally, it is important to ensure that mom’s spine and pelvis are in proper alignment to promote the best environment for carrying and delivering the baby with ease.
As with any other health care provider, it’s important to let the chiropractor know if there are any pre-existing health conditions as they may play a role in the doctor’s decision of when and how to adjust. There are numerous ways to perform a chiropractic adjustment and adjusting methods are individualized to each woman’s age, size, weight and condition of health. Additionally, there are certain chiropractic techniques designed for pre and post-natal care and many tools available to provide the greatest amount of comfort while considering the physical changes that occur throughout pregnancy.
Chiropractic is about so much more than “cracking backs” and can offer women tremendous support and relief throughout such a critical time. If there are any additional questions or concerns regarding chiropractic care and pregnancy, comment below and we’ll get back to you with an answer as soon as we can.