How chiropractic can help when expecting.

As you may already know, we look after a lot of women who are expecting…

(As a result) Almost every other week, one of ‘our’ Balanced for Life babies are born. Each and every birthing story is different. But each and every one of these beautiful mummas are grateful for the care they received at such an important time.

Often women simply accept the pregnancy’s discomforts when, in reality, they do not need to. Nausea, heartburn, shortness of breath, constipation, frequent urination, back pain, stabbing abdominal pain and other issues can be successfully managed with chiro treatments.

There is nothing worse than constantly being in a state of fatigue and pain due to hormonal changes affecting your body. Many women who have underlying musculoskeletal conditions notice these latent symptoms rear their ugly head during pregnancy.

How can Chiro help one might ask?

Excellent question! We have a lot to say about the pain during the pregnancy. Chiro can help you understand and manage your pain. For example, we know that pain can be caused by:

1. Weight gain

When you gain weight, (pregnancy or non-pregnancy reasons) the spine naturally has to take on more load. If there are past spinal injuries, or if there is an undetected dysfunction with the vertebra (such a facet joint arthritis or degenerative/wear and tear), or the vertebral disc (sprained or herniated), the weight gain often amplifies the problem resulting in onset or increase in pain.

As a result, due to gravitational changes and to accommodate the increase in load, a pregnant woman will usually widen her stance and develop an increased lumbar lordosis (curve in the low back). This can put more load on the low back discs and often causes sciatica-like symptoms.

2. Hormones - Relaxin, release at different stages of pregnancy

In certain periods of the pregnancy, the body will create more of the Relaxin hormone. This hormone is to aid with the joints and ligaments stretching. This stretching is necessary during the growth of the baby and the labour. However, Relaxin can also cause the instability of the spinal joints. Some of the time this can feel slightly uncomfortable, but many times, this can bring on pain in the pelvis.

Moreover, having the regular pelvic checks, by a chiropractor, ensures that pelvis is sitting correctly, allowing for optimal room for the baby to grow and move.

Health benefits of chiropractic during pregnancy:

Research has demonstrated that over 50% of all women complain of lower back pain

Fast A. Low Back Pain in Pregnancy. Spine. 1987; 12 (4):368-37

Chiropractic care has been shown to be safe for both mother and unborn child.

Diakow P. Gatsby T. et al. Back Pain DUring Pregnancy and Labour. JMPT 1991; 12:116-118

Women who had care throughout their pregnancy had significantly reduced labour times. An average of 24% for first-time mums and experienced mums showed a (3% reduction in average labour times).

Fallon J DC. The effect of Chiropractic Treatment on Pregnancy and Labor: A comprehensive Study. Proceedings of the World Federation of Chiropractic 1991:24-31

Chiropractic care is beneficial and important before, during and after pregnancy!

And I am delighted and honoured to work with women at such a special time.