Hormone and weight changes during pregnancy can contribute to a slew of uncomfortable symptoms. In addition to morning sickness, many women experience lower back and hip pain due to stretching ligaments and hormonal shifts. Sciatica is also quite common in pregnant women, as pressure is often placed on the sciatic nerve during this time.
In these situations, a chiropractor may be recommended, but many women wonder: Is it safe to receive chiropractic adjustments during my pregnancy? The answer is yes.
Benefits of Prenatal Chiropractic Care
Not only is it safe to receive care throughout the entirety of pregnancy, but it can also help alleviate many of the unpleasant symptoms leading up to birth, resulting in a more comfortable, healthy gestation period for both mom and baby. All licensed chiropractors receive prenatal training, so you can rest assured that you are in good hands. There are even special adjusting tables that are used to accommodate growing bellies. And finally, chiropractic care is a natural and non-invasive treatment method that does not involve pain medication and can be quite effective at achieving results.
Here are several ways in which chiropractic care can benefit you and your pregnancy:
- It can ease pain commonly felt during pregnancy. During pregnancy, the body changes as it prepares for labor and delivery. The hormone relaxin is released, which loosens joints and ligaments. However, sometimes they become too flexible and compromise your body’s structure and stability. As your baby becomes heavier, a protruding abdomen also results in an increased curve in your spine, which can cause misalignment and pain.
- It can reduce the amount of time spent in labor. Adjustments are designed to re-establish balance and alignment to the pelvis and spine, which can better prepare the body for delivery. This can allow the baby to pass through the birth canal with more ease and, subsequently, less time. Furthermore, chiropractic care can assist in repositioning the baby to avoid potentially dangerous situations, such as if the baby does not have enough room or is breech (with the baby’s feet or buttocks set to be delivered first).
- It can help alleviate some of those unwanted pregnancy symptoms. Chiropractic care can even help ease morning sickness. The nervous system (made up of the nerves, spinal cord, and brain) controls much of the function of your entire body. Therefore, if there is a discord between the brain and the rest of the body, it can cause disruptions. Chiropractic care can restore balance and improve the overall functioning of the nervous system, which may, in turn, improve nausea.
- It can help with postpartum care. The postpartum period can be tough on any new Mom, as the body is slowly returning to its pre-baby alignment. Routine adjustments can help realign the spine and pelvis following birth. Chiropractic care can also assist with shoulder, neck, and middle back pain sustained while nursing and holding a newborn.
While chiropractic care is perfectly safe for the vast majority of pregnancies, it is important to note that pregnancies and health concerns are unique to the individual. It is important to get your doctor’s approval before beginning chiropractic care, especially if you are experiencing abnormal symptoms such as vaginal bleeding, placenta previa, or placenta abruption.