5 Benefits of Seeing a Chiropractor During Pregnancy

September 30, 2018

If you’ve ever been pregnant, you are already familiar with the symptoms such as nausea, back pain, and fatigue that are common health concerns among pregnant women. If you haven’t been pregnant then you’ve certainly heard all about the journey into Motherhood that includes these symptoms.

During pregnancy, the female body goes through countless physical and physiological changes, in order to create the healthiest possible environment for a growing baby. Sometimes these changes only cause pain and general discomfort; however, sometimes these changes put women at risk for longer labor and delivery times and other serious complications, such as breech birth and C-section delivery. A chiropractor uses methods that can reduce certain pregnancy symptoms and help expecting mothers benefit from healthier pregnancies and birth outcomes.

Are you pregnant and want relief from symptoms like nausea and back pain? Do you want to experience the safest possible labor and delivery? Take a look at the following 5 benefits of seeing a chiropractor while pregnant.

1. Reduced Nausea

Nausea, or morning sickness, is one of the most common pregnancy symptoms that can be highly uncomfortable and difficult to endure throughout your first trimester. A chiropractor can help reduce nausea and vomiting by realigning your spine and improving overall nervous system function. As a result, your hormones can achieve a healthier balance to eliminate or lessen the severity of your morning sickness.
If you suspect your nausea is being triggered by heartburn or constipation, chiropractic care can also help improve digestive issues such as these to reduce your nausea.

2. Easier Labor and Delivery

A short labor and birthing process, without pain or complications, is far preferable to a painful and hours-long labor and delivery. Getting regular chiropractic adjustments throughout your pregnancy can help ensure your pelvis, spine, and hips are properly aligned and that your nerves are in optimal working function. Your nerves are responsible for controlling your contractions and dilating your cervix during labor and delivery — meaning optimal nerve health can help you experience a faster labor and easier delivery, with less pain and discomfort.
Women who want to experience a natural childbirth without the use of medications can benefit from chiropractic care during pregnancy to help simplify and improve the birthing experience.

3. Relief from Back Pain

As your body prepares for labor and delivery, it produces a hormone called relaxin that relaxes and loosens all the ligaments and joints in your pelvic area. This may cause some to experience instability and pain in their spines as supporting ligaments become much looser and more fragile. Seeing a chiropractor for regular adjustments during pregnancy can help relieve back pain that stems from relaxed ligaments and joints due to the natural production of relaxin.
Back pain among pregnant women may also be caused by postural problems that occur due to a heavier belly. Some women may unintentionally curve their backs as their babies become heavier and larger, which can throw the spine out of alignment and trigger back pain. Adjustments can help correct posture and spinal curvature to keep back pain at bay.

4. Optimal Baby Positioning

A baby who is not in the position to be delivered head first at the time of labor is known to be in breech position, which can lead to complications including a highly difficult vaginal delivery, cord prolapse, or a C-section delivery. Chiropractic care during pregnancy helps you maintain healthy pelvic balance, so your baby has enough room to freely move head-first into the correct delivery position. During your eighth month of pregnancy, make regular chiropractic adjustments a priority to avoid breech presentation and benefit from optimal positioning.

5. Healthier Overall Pregnancy

The goal of chiropractic care is to address and remove nerve obstructions in the spinal column that may be preventing your organs and immune system from functioning at optimal levels. The stronger and healthier your immune system, the stronger and healthier your baby’s own immune system will be at the time of birth. Prenatal chiropractic care can contribute to improved overall health for both you and your baby, and may reduce some unwanted symptoms so you can experience a safer, more comfortable pregnancy. All those uncomfortable symptoms will magically disappear the first time you hold your baby!

References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5911176/
http://www.users.miamioh.edu/smithdl2/images/articles/stubersmith2008.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2647084/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2176140/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3856209/
https://nccih.nih.gov/health/chiropractic/introduction.htm