The Benefits of Chiropractic Adjustments Before Labor and While Pregnant

Pregnancy is a remarkable journey that brings about profound changes in the body. As the body adapts to nurture new life, these transformations can sometimes lead to discomfort and pain. Chiropractic adjustments before labor and while pregnant can play a crucial role in promoting a healthier, more comfortable pregnancy and easing the birthing process. Here, we'll explore the myriad benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy, how it can prepare your body for labor, and why it's a safe and effective option for expectant mothers.

Understanding Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy

Chiropractic care focuses on the health of the spine and nervous system, aiming to alleviate pain, improve function, and support overall well-being through manual adjustments and other techniques. During pregnancy, chiropractic adjustments are tailored to accommodate the physiological changes that occur, ensuring both the mother's and baby's safety.

How Chiropractic Care Is Adapted for Pregnant Women

Pregnancy brings about significant biomechanical and hormonal changes. Chiropractors adapt their techniques to accommodate these changes, ensuring treatments are gentle and comfortable. Specialized equipment, such as pregnancy support pillows and adjustable tables, allows expectant mothers to lie face down without putting pressure on the abdomen. Adjustments are performed with careful consideration of the mother's and baby's safety.

Addressing Potential Concerns

Some women may have concerns about the safety of chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy. It's important to note that chiropractors are extensively trained to work with pregnant patients. They avoid any techniques that put pressure on the abdomen and focus on gentle manipulations. Open communication with your chiropractor about any discomfort or concerns ensures a safe and positive experience.

Read more: Everything You Should Know About Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy.

Benefits of Chiropractic Adjustments While Pregnant

Chiropractic care during pregnancy offers a natural way to alleviate discomfort and promote overall wellness for both mother and baby. By focusing on spinal alignment and nervous system function, chiropractic adjustments can address the unique physical changes that occur during this time. Here are just a few of the benefits of chiropractic while pregnant.

Relieving Common Pregnancy Symptoms

As the baby grows, the mother's center of gravity shifts, leading to increased stress on the spine and pelvis. This shift can cause a range of symptoms, including back pain, neck pain, sciatica, and joint discomfort. Chiropractic adjustments while pregnant can help alleviate these issues by correcting spinal misalignments and reducing nerve irritation.

Improving Nervous System Function

The nervous system controls every function in the body, and spinal misalignments can interfere with nerve communication. By realigning the spine, chiropractic care enhances nervous system function, which can help reduce symptoms like nausea and morning sickness and promote better overall health during pregnancy.

Supporting Emotional Well-Being

Physical discomfort during pregnancy can contribute to stress and anxiety. Chiropractic care can positively impact emotional well-being by alleviating pain and improving physical function. Improved sleep quality, reduced fatigue, and enhanced mobility contribute to a more relaxed pregnancy experience.

Enhancing Immune Function

A well-aligned spine supports optimal nervous system function, which in turn can enhance the immune system. Maintaining a strong immune system is crucial during pregnancy to protect both mother and baby from illness.

Aligning the Pelvis for Optimal Fetal Positioning

A misaligned pelvis can restrict the space available for the developing baby, a condition known as intrauterine constraint. This can affect the baby's ability to get into the best possible position for delivery. Chiropractic adjustments before labor help ensure the pelvis is properly aligned, promoting optimal fetal positioning and reducing the risk of complications such as breech presentation.

Reducing Labor and Delivery Time

Studies have shown that women who receive chiropractic care during pregnancy may experience shorter labor times. By ensuring proper alignment, chiropractic adjustments before labor can facilitate a smoother delivery process. ​

How Chiropractic Adjustments Help During Labor

Chiropractic care doesn't just prepare your body for labor; it can also provide significant support during the labor process itself. By maintaining proper spinal alignment and nervous system function, chiropractic adjustments can contribute to a smoother, less stressful labor experience.

Can a Chiropractor Induce Labor?

While chiropractors do not induce labor in the medical sense, chiropractic adjustments before and during labor can help prepare the body for the birthing process. If the soon-to-be-mother experiences an extremely long labor before birth, a chiropractor can help to facilitate the birthing process. Through precise techniques, chiropractic will loosen the joints and muscles in and surrounding the pelvis to allow for a wider birth canal, making it less painful and minimizing the risk of birthing complications such as breech deliveries.

Women who practice yoga, pilates, or are avid runners/fitness enthusiasts tend to benefit the most from chiropractic during pregnancy because they tend to have strong, tighter muscles that take extra effort to loosen up. However, keep in mind that having a first-time adjustment during labor won’t be a helpful option. Chiropractic trains the body through intermittent adjustments over extended periods of time. It’s not a magical cure-all for long labors, so if the patient has never had an adjustment before they go into labor, it likely won’t have any effect.

Generally speaking, regular chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy and before labor will more than likely negate the need for having a chiropractor present during delivery. On average, mothers who receive chiropractic care during their pregnancy have a 24% shorter labor period. Taking precautions by seeking a chiropractor to prepare the body for birth makes for an easier, smoother process altogether.

Benefits of Chiropractic After Giving Birth

Having a chiropractor after birth is also beneficial to help get on the right track to getting in shape and feeling good about yourself. Chiropractic will make sure your body is properly aligned so you can heal faster and get your body back to the state it was prior to your pregnancy.

Patients often experience changes in their posture resulting from their pregnancy. This can be especially prevalent after giving birth as many parents tend to hunch and lean over while caring for their child. This can lead to further misalignment issues and experiencing pain in the back and neck.

Take the Next Step Toward a Healthier Pregnancy

​​Your pregnancy is a unique journey, and you deserve to feel your best throughout. Chiropractic adjustments before labor and while pregnant can make a significant difference in your comfort, health, and birthing experience.

At Petrak Family Chiropractic Center, we're dedicated to helping you achieve a healthier, more enjoyable pregnancy and a smoother labor. Our expertise in prenatal chiropractic care ensures you and your baby are in good hands.

Don't let pain and discomfort overshadow this special time. Get in touch today to schedule a consultation and discover how we can support your health and wellness during pregnancy and beyond. Contact Petrak Family Chiropractic Center today to schedule your appointment!

schedule an appointment