Benefits of Chiropractic Treatment During Pregnancy
Chiropractic care has many known health benefits for its patients including boosting your immunity and lowering blood pressure. With that in mind, it only makes sense that chiropractic care is something which can also help women during their pregnancy.
During pregnancy a woman’s body goes through many significant changes that can impact the nervous system and its functions. Ligaments in the pelvic area of the mother loosen to enable childbirth while at the same time, weight increase in a woman’s core can lead to instability placing increased pressure on the expectant mother’s spine.
While fifty percent of pregnant women will experience aches and pains in the lower back and hips before they deliver their baby, a chiropractor may be just what the doctor ordered.
Research suggests that regular chiropractic care during pregnancy can help to ensure both a healthier mother and child and may even make delivery easier. Chiropractic benefits to the mother are probably more obvious, but babies born to mothers who visit their chiropractors develop in a healthier environment versus those born to mothers who don’t receive chiropractic care during pregnancy.
Effects Pregnancy has on a Woman's Posture and Overall Health
Women experience many hormonal and physical changes during pregnancy. Some of these will have an impact on posture and comfort. As the baby becomes heavier, the mother's center of gravity shifts and her posture adjusts accordingly. These physical changes during pregnancy can lead to a misaligned spine or joints. Pregnant women can experience a protruding abdomen which results in an increased curve of your back and changes to your pelvis as your body begins to prepare for labor and adapts to your posture.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care on the Developing Baby
A pelvis that’s out of alignment can restrict the amount of space available to your developing baby. When an external force obstructs your growing baby’s normal movements in the womb, it’s known as intrauterine constraint and this condition can lead to birth defects. Chiropractic treatment during pregnancy can help ensure that your pelvis and spine remain properly aligned.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Your Delivery
Another complication that a misaligned pelvis may pose relates to delivery of the child. When the pelvis is out of alignment, it can make it hard for your baby to move into the best position to be born, which is rear-facing, head down. In some cases, this type of situation could affect a woman’s ability to have a natural and noninvasive delivery.
A balanced pelvis will also mean that your baby has a lower chance of moving into a breech or posterior position. If your baby is in a nonoptimal birthing position, it can lead to a longer, more complicated delivery. Other evidence points to improved outcomes in labor and deliver and may even help reduce the length of time you’re in labor.
Other Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Pregnant Women
In addition to assisting with the healthy development of your baby while still in the womb and allowing for an easier delivery, chiropractic visits during pregnancy can also help with the following:
- Chiropractic care can help maintain a healthier, more comfortable pregnancy
- As with any chiropractic visits for discomfort, visits during pregnancy can help relieve pains in the back, neck, hips, and joints
- Visiting a chiropractor during your pregnancy can help to control symptoms of nausea typically associated with pregnancy.
To adjust pregnant women, your chiropractor will use an adjusting table that accommodates their growing bellies. Your trained chiropractor can also show you effective stretches for relieving tension and easing discomfort during your pregnancy.
Regular visits to a chiropractor during pregnancy can address these issues. One chiropractic medical study revealed that 75 percent of pregnant chiropractic care patients reported pain relief. Plus, as we've learned here, adjustments designed to re-establish balance and alignment to your pelvis and spine will do more than just make you feel better -- chiropractic care can be beneficial for your baby too.
Always get a doctor’s approval before seeing a chiropractor during pregnancy. Chiropractic care isn’t typically recommended if you’re experiencing vaginal bleeding, ectopic pregnancy, placenta previa or placenta abruption, or moderate to severe toxemia.
To learn more about how chiropractic can help you stay healthy visit us at anshchiropractic.com or call us at 732-662-5566.
Schedule an Appointment to Discuss if Chiropractic Treatment During Pregnancy is Right for You