Chiropractic care during pregnancy, what to expect:
Chiropractic care during pregnancy can provide wonderful benefits for you and your baby. The American Pregnancy Association lists the follow benefits you may experience.
- Healthier pregnancy
- Decreased symptoms of nausea
- Reduced time of labor and delivery
- Relief of back, neck or joint dysfunction
- Prevention of cesarean section
Why should I have chiropractic care during pregnancy?
While you are pregnant, there are several physiological and hormonal changes that occur. These changes below are examples that can greatly effect and increase the stresses on your changing body.
1. Increase in weight and pressure on your joints
2. Forward growing of abdomen continually increasing your low back curve
3. Daily postural changes and adaptations in the pelvis and its supporting ligaments
Our goal is to support your body through these changes and stages of pregnancy. With chiropractic supporting your bodies’ function you can feel more vibrant and relaxed throughout pregnancy.
What about chiropractic care and breech pregnancies?
Dr. Courtney Davis is certified in the Webster Technique. This specific chiropractic analysis and gentle adjusting technique enables you to maintain balance in your pelvis and reduce stress to your uterus and ligaments. A balanced pelvis makes it easier for your baby to get into the best position for birth.
Dr. Davis recommends all mothers to be checked for breech presentation starting the seventh month of pregnancy. If not currently under chiropractic care this would be an ideal time to begin the Webster technique to support your pregnancy.
In pregnancy your body releases hormones that help open joint spaces to give room for the baby and to prepare for birth. These changes stretch ligaments and tissues and put a lot of stress on your body. Having a pelvis that is misaligned may reduce the amount of room available for the developing baby. This restriction is called intrauterine constraint.
According to The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, there is an 82% success rate of babies turning vertex when doctors used the Webster Technique. Further, the results from the study suggest that it may be beneficial to perform the Webster Technique as soon as the 8th month of pregnancy when a woman has a breech presentation.
The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association recommends women receive chiropractic care throughout pregnancy to establish pelvic balance and optimize the room a baby has for development throughout pregnancy. With a balanced pelvis, babies have a greater chance of moving into the correct position for birth, and the crisis and worry associated with breech and posterior presentations may be avoided altogether. Optimal baby positioning at the time of birth also eliminates the potential for dystocia (difficult labor) and therefore results in easier and safer deliveries for both the mother and baby.
You will be amazed at how this technique can decrease “normal” symptoms expecting mothers feel are all part of being pregnant. We can help you feel great during and after your pregnancy!
Pre & PostNatal massage 60 minutes/ 90 minutes
Prenatal massage is a specific type of massage tailored to help relieve the strains and pains caused by pregnancy. Usually, the massage focuses on the areas of the body that are most affected by pregnancy. This includes the lower back, the mid-back, the calves, the feet, and even the stomach.
Benefits of massage for the postpartum mom include:
- Reduced swelling. Many mothers find that their body swells during labor. Massaging can help to redistribute water within the body and encourage the draining and circulation of excess fluids.
- Improved milk production. For moms seeking an increase in their breast milk supply, massage can be a great way to increase circulation and the necessary hormones to make this happen, as evidenced in this 2020 studyTrusted Source.
- Hormone regulation. The postpartum body is one of constantly fluctuating hormones. In addition to touch, many massages involve essential oils that may help elevate one’s mood and may encourage hormonal balance.
- Reduced anxiety and depression. Many new parents experience the “baby blues” or even postpartum depression. Getting a massage can help to decrease stress contributing to these anxious and depressed feelings.
- Better sleep. Everyone knows new parents need as much sleep as they can get! Massage can help parents relax and get their body ready for deep, restorative sleep.
Resources:
International Chiropractic Pediatric Association
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Volume 25, July/August 2002.
