Chiropractic & Pregnancy
Being pregnant can be both exciting and confusing, especially for first-time moms. The prospect of carrying an increasing weight around for nine months, different health considerations, concerns about labour, birth, and then raising a child is often a daunting one. Chiropractic offers a natural approach to pregnancy, supporting the positive and life-changing process of child bearing by working with the innate capacity of the body to grow and adapt in all circumstances of life. Guided by a vitalistic philosophy and understanding of the intelligent processes of the body, Chiropractors employ the fundamental principles of life to work with the body and support the process of pregnancy and birthing. The result of this is a more positive experience for you and your baby as well as minimizing risk and ultimately reducing the number of interventions required to safely birth your baby into the world. The role of Chiropractic in your experience can be adapted to your specific needs and health history. Your Chiropractor can also provide access to a plethora of wellness resources that may serve you before, during, and after pregnancy.
Carrying Your Child
From Healthy Moms to Healthy Babies
Pregnancy increases the amount of stress on the mother’s spine and body. Maintaining or improving the function of your spine with Chiropractic care before, during and after pregnancy, helps you and your child to be as healthy as possible. The mother’s internal environment is also the baby’s environment. Factors which contribute to and optimize mom’s wellness also benefit the child inside.
During the later stages of pregnancy the weight of the child becomes a major force to bear and hormonal changes begin to relax the supporting tissues of the spine. Maintaining the stability of your pelvis and balance of pelvic muscles with Chiropractic care can make for an easier, less painful and less traumatic birth for both mother and child.
Benefits of Chiropractic
Pregnancy, Labour, & Pain
Scientific investigation of Chiropractic care has demonstrated many benefits to the pregnant mother. One study investigated the relationship between the presence of back pain during pregnancy and labour and the effects of Chiropractic care. In this study, 84% of women under Chiropractic care reported relief of back pain1. Another investigation found that expectant mothers receiving Chiropractic care reported on average an 81% level of pain relief from back labour2. Additionally, 88% of mothers said they required less pain medication than anticipated2. Another study found that women receiving Chiropractic care reported decreased pain and a high degree of satisfaction with their care3. As well, Chiropractic care has been found to significantly reduce labour time4. Finally, some Chiropractors offer services to relieve in-utero constraint which may assist the baby in repositioning themselves, allowing for a more optimal presentation at birth.
Safety of Chiropractic
No instances of adverse effects as a result of Chiropractic care were reported, indicating the relative safety of the procedures1, 5.
Other considerations
To ensure that the birth process is minimally traumatic for both mother and child, consider consulting a midwife or other experienced professional who deals with natural birthing methods as soon as possible during pregnancy. There are many decisions to be made during this period and the more information you have, the better. Practitioners such as these will typically give a balanced view of post-natal care also. Choose the options and providers that you feel comfortable with.
