Pregnancy comes with several physical changes. As your child grows, you might experience pain in your back, joints, and pelvis. Your posture might also change as your body tries to adjust to the presence of your growing child. The resulting discomfort may make it difficult to move or even relax.
Chiropractic care during your pregnancy can help relieve your pain. A chiropractor can adjust misaligned joints and ligaments as your baby develops. In combination with stretches and massages, chiropractic care can ensure a pain-free pregnancy.
Furthermore, chiropractic care during pregnancy is safe. Most chiropractors can work with pregnant women as the adjustments performed are standard. The only notable differences from normal sessions are the special equipment and the gentler movements. Chiropractic care is a safe, natural, and drug-free approach to health and wellness.
The following are a few reasons why visiting a chiropractor during pregnancy is an excellent idea for you and your growing child.
Chiropractic Care Stops Pre-term Labor
Chiropractic care is rarely recommended for delaying premature births. However, the adjustments can stop contractions, thus allowing the baby to develop to full term. Skilled chiropractors can move the baby to a higher position, leaving more room for the child to develop. The relief is almost instant as improvements start one to two hours after an appointment.
Chiropractic adjustments prevent pre-term labor so effectively that recommended bedrest may be unnecessary. In some cases, the use of drugs is also dismissed. But every pregnancy is different. Thus, if you do get adjustments to delay labor, you should still wait for the all-clear from your OBGYN before resuming your normal activities.
Chiropractic Care Reduces Length of Labor
If you see a chiropractor throughout pregnancy, your pelvis and sacrum will most likely be properly aligned during labor. A properly positioned pelvic region reduces pressure in the uterus, thus creating an easy passage of the child through the vaginal canal. In addition, shorter labor decreases the pain and lessens any danger to the mother or child during childbirth.
Chiropractic Care Relieves Pain
Chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy ease the pain that results from your changing body. During pregnancy, women release hormones that loosen ligaments. The laxity allows the pelvis to expand during childbirth. Unfortunately, the loose ligaments increase pain in the lower back, hips, pelvis, and legs.
Furthermore, pregnancy often leads to weight gain around the abdomen. The uneven distribution of weight increases pressures on your joints. The change in your center of gravity also leads to the curvature of the spine. This unnatural position often causes discomfort and pain. This shift in weight also leads to sciatica, a shooting pain in the leg caused by a pinched nerve.
A chiropractor can realign any misaligned joints and ligaments, thus relieving the pain. Besides, the reduced pressure also minimizes the chances of nerve pinching. The reduction of these aches will make your pregnancy more enjoyable.
Chiropractic Care Prevents Breech Births
Chiropractic care during pregnancy can also reposition a breech baby. Known as the Webster technique, the adjustment realigns the pelvis and the sacrum. The shift allows the baby to turn to the head-first optimal birthing position. This proper positioning eliminates the need for more complex interventions such as C-Sections.
Unlike other adjustments, only an experienced prenatal chiropractor can perform the Webster technique. The required adjustments are painless for the mother and child. A skilled chiropractor can move the baby to the proper birthing positioning in two to three sessions. The method is so successful that most adjusted women give birth naturally with fewer complications.
As illustrated above, chiropractic care during pregnancy yields many benefits. It is always a great idea to have a chiropractor on your healthcare team.
If you have any concerns about chiropractic care during pregnancy, do not hesitate to contact us at Roach Family Wellness. Our experienced chiropractors will help ease your pain.