Chiropractic & Pregnancy?

On the weekend the Herald Sun wrote quite a complementary article about chiropractic. They addressed the growing popularity of chiropractic during pregnancy and for newborn babies.  We’ll talk about newborns another time, but firstly…

Q. Why do Chiropractors see so many pregnant women?

A. Chiropractic care helps women to be as healthy as they can be during pregnancy.Having your spine checked by a chiropractor ensures that your pelvis is sitting correctly to allow optimum room for your baby to grow and move. A well functioning nervous system will also enable a mother to easily combat many of the hurdles of pregnancy.

Often women learn to just accept pregnancy discomforts such as nausea, heartburn, shortness of breath, constipation, haemorrhoids, frequent urination etc, when in fact they don’t need to.

For example;
- Maintaining the integrity of the thoracic spine (mid back) with chiropractic adjustments can help alleviate mid back pain (due to an increase in breast size), shortness of breath and heartburn.

-  Maintaining thoracolumbar (mid to low back) and lumbosacral (lower back) flexibility can help with other unnecessary discomforts such as constipation, frequent urination, sciatica, lower back pain, symphysis pubis pain and pelvic pain.

As your pregnancy progresses, the weight of your baby can become a major load to bear and hormonal changes begin to relax the supporting tissues of the spine. It is vitally important that your spine maintains correct alignment. There are specific techniques that chiropractors utilize with pregnant women to maximise pelvic alignment.

Research has shown the health benefits of chiropractic for mother and babies;

That correct alignment of the pelvis and spine can contribute to a more straightforward labour with less pain and trauma for mother and child.

Chiropractic care has also been shown to significantly reduce labour time for women who had care throughout their pregnancy. In her study, Dr Joan Fallon found that first-time mums averaged a 24% shorter labour, while experienced mothers (those who had given birth before) had a 39% reduction in the average labour time in a substantial percentage of births.

Show me any woman who would not be excited about this possibility!

Studies on backaches have discovered that over 50% of all women complain of lower back pain during pregnancy, with the sacroiliac joints of the pelvis being most commonly affected.

A study conducted by Dr Irvin Henderson MD (1) (a member of the American Medical Association Board of Trustees) demonstrated that, “Women who received chiropractic adjustments in their third trimester were able to carry and deliver their child with much more comfort.”

These maternal subluxations have also been implicated in foetal constraints (i.e. constraint within the uterus and within your pelvis). These constraints can interfere with your baby’s presentation at birth and natural delivery, and studies have now begun to look at the more long-term effects of in-utero constraints on foetal development.(2)

Chiropractic care has been shown to be safe for both mothers and unborn children, with regular adjustments resulting in a less stressful pregnancy and a less uncomfortable delivery.(2)

In addition to adjusting your spine and clearing any nerve dysfunction, your chiropractor is likely to talk with you about the importance of stretching, yoga and physical activity. They may also discuss the importance of increasing your water and fibre intake to prevent haemorrhoids. Most chiropractors will take a holistic view and discuss the benefits of incorporating some kinesiology, Chinese medicine or nutritional advice during your pregnancy and in preparation for your birth.

Your chiropractor will not suggest X-rays of your spine (acknowledging that you are pregnant) and techniques will be modified to accommodate for your beautiful growing belly.

Chiropractic care is important before, during and after pregnancy.

Wishing you a healthy and vibrant pregnancy.
Jennifer