Pregnancy and Chiropractic
March 16, 2010 by DrLauren
Filed under Chiropractic, Health Information
Pregnancy is the prime example of one of favorite sayings of “Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t real or important.” The millions of different hormonal changes and chemical reactions that occur in the mother and the developing baby are definitely real and certainly important during pregnancy. The fact that our bodies innately know how to make and bake a child inside a woman’s uterus is absolutely mind-blowing. So how does our body know and coordinate all these important life processes?
The nervous system.
Now more than ever, during pregnancy you need a nervous system that responds immediately and accurately to changing requirements in all parts of your body, and therefore you need a healthy spine!
A person’s spine is made of 24 moveable bones called vertebrae, plus the sacrum (tailbone), pelvis, and skull. This hard casing from our head to our rear serves 2 main functions: 1) protects the delicate tissue of the spinal cord and brain from damage, and 2) allows for motion of the back and neck that keeps us safe, mobile, and living.
From the brain, nerve impulses travel down the spinal cord, branch out into nerves, and exit between the vertebrae. When the vertebrae become misaligned or unable to move properly a condition called vertebral subluxation occurs. Subluxations irritate and interfere with the function of the nerves. Inteference to the nervous system during pregnancy can slow or stop important messages from the brain to the body of the woman and impact the developing fetus. Through safe, effective and gentle chiropractic adjustments, proper function is restored and interference is removed, allowing the body of both mother and baby to adapt to the rapidly changing environments during pregnancy.
Let’s answer some of the most frequently asked questions:
Is chiropractic care safe during pregnancy?
Why should I have chiropractic care during pregnancy?
How does chiropractic benefit pregnant moms?
What about chiropractic care and breech deliveries?
Is it safe for my newborn to be adjusted?
Should I talk to my doctor about chiropractic?
Is chiropractic care safe during pregnancy?
In the 100+ years of chiropractic care, there have been no known contraindications to chiropractic care for mothers-to-be. In fact, the majority of pregnant women under chiropractic care report improved motion, less, pain, overall sense of well-being and decreased delivery times.
A fabulous technique offered by some chiropractors has been helpful with breech presentation. Webster Technique is not a treatment to turn breech babies, but allows for the body to function properly and often results in the baby turning naturally. Click to read more about Webster Technique.
Why should I have chiropractic care during pregnancy?
The millions of changes that occur in a mother’s and developing baby’s body during pregnancy place a great amount of pressure on the nerves, muscles, and bones of the spine. The most predominate change is the protruding abdomen, which increases the curve of the lower back. These changes place excess stress on the nervous system. Why is this important? Remember it is the nervous system that controls and coordinates all processes of life, including the reproductive system of the mother and the cells, organs, and tissues of the developing baby. Keeping the spine aligned helps the entire body work more effectively.
A large focus of chiropractic care is focused on relieving intrauterine constraint by establishing proper alignment and balance of the pelvis and sacrum. When the pelvis is out of alignment it may reduce the amount of room available for the baby and put unnecessary pressure on the developing baby.
A misalignment of the pelvis may also make it more difficult for the baby to move into proper position during delivery. This is one reason why pregnant mothers under chiropractic care experience a shorter delivery time and may help with reducing breech or other improper positioning of the baby.
How does chiropractic benefit pregnant moms?
Chiropractic care during pregnancy provides many benefits for mothers-to-be and their unborn child. Potential benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy include:
- Maintaining a healthier pregnancy
- Controlling symptoms of nausea
- Reducing the time of labor and delivery
- Relieving back, neck or joint pain
- Preventing a potential cesarean section
- Maintaining uterine ligament flexibility & balance
- Enhancing function of nervous system
According to recent studies, chiropractic care may result in easier pregnancy including increased comfort during the third trimester and delivery and reduced need for analgesics (pain medication). In one study, women receiving chiropractic care through their first pregnancy had 24% reduction in labor times and subjects giving birth for the second or third time reported 39% reduction in shorter labor times. In another study, the need for analgesics was reduced by 50% in the patients who received adjustments. In addition, 84% of women report relief of back pain during pregnancy with chiropractic care. When women receive chiropractic care throughout pregnancy, the sacroiliac joints of the pelvis function better. As a result, there is significantly less likelihood of back labour (contractions and sharp pain felt in the lower back during labor). Chiropractic care has helped new mothers become more comfortable breastfeeding (posture-wise) as well as to produce more milk. Chiropractic care has also been shown to reduce the likelihood of postpartum depression.
If you are 1 in 200 women who suffer from pre-eclampsia with hypertension and albuminaria (protein in urine), chiropractic care may be of benefit. The cause is unknown but can lead to seizures, coma, and death. One study investigated the link between the lumbar spine (located in the low back) and pre-eclampsia. It revealed that women with decreased lumbar spine curves had more pre-eclampsia. They also found that patients with reduced lumbar curves had decreased blood flow to the iliac artery than normal pregnant women.
(Hypolumbarlordosis: a predisposing factor for preeclampsia. Kanayama N. Maradny EE, Kajiwara Y. et al. European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 1997;75: 115-121.)
What about chiropractic care and breech deliveries?
The late Larry Webster, D.C., founder of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, developed a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment that enables chiropractors to establish balance in the pregnant woman’s pelvis and reduce undue stress to her uterus and supporting ligaments. This balanced state in the pelvis makes it easier for a breech baby to turn naturally. The technique is known as the Webster Technique.
It is considered normal by some for a baby to present breech until the third trimester. Most birth practitioners are not concerned with breech presentations until a patient is 37 weeks along. Approximately 4% of all pregnancies result in a breech presentation.
The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics reported in the July/August 2002 issue an 82% success rate of babies turning vertex when doctors of chiropractic used the Webster Technique. Further, the results from the study suggest that it may be beneficial to perform the Webster Technique as early as the eighth month of pregnancy when a woman has a breech presentation.
Currently, the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association recommends that women receive chiropractic care throughout pregnancy to establish pelvic balance and optimize the room a baby has for development throughout pregnancy. With a balanced pelvis, babies have a greater chance of moving into the correct position for birth, and the crisis and worry associated with breech and posterior presentations may be avoided altogether. Optimal baby positioning at the time of birth also eliminates the potential for dystocia (difficult labor) and therefore results in easier and safer deliveries for both the mother and baby.
Is it safe for my newborn to be adjusted?
Having a nervous system that is functioning at its 100% potential, especially when you’re pregnant, creates the optimal environment for your baby to reach their full potential. Many women who get adjusted throughout their pregnancy notice the benefits and learn many lifestyle habits that will continue to promote and enhance their wellness potential.
Even natural births can stress a baby’s spine and breastfeeding problems can arise if the baby has a subluxation and is unable to comfortably turn its head to one side. Colic, ear infections, low immunity, asthma, allergies, constipation, diarrhea, kidney issues and so many more conditions are commonly helped by gentle chiropractic care for infants, children, and adults.
Mothers can rest assured that their infant will receive safe, highly specific and gentle adjustments to correct subluxations. Actually, the pressure used to make an adjustment to an infant is the same pressure you would use to test the ripeness of a tomato. There are a number of different chiropractic techniques. We will work with you to find the best one for you and your child. A chiropractic adjustment is no more dangerous to a child than a regular check-up with a pediatrician.
Should I talk to my doctor about chiropractic?
Chiropractic is becoming more and more well-known and more women are seeking the benefits of chiropractic care throughout pregnancy. While many health care providers are referring pregnant patients to chiropractors, you do not need a referral from your physician to receive chiropractic care. If your doctor is not yet familiar with chiropractic care in pregnancy, ask them to find out more about its many benefits and mention the ICPA’s website at www.icpa4kids.org. Most importantly, seek options that support your body’s natural abilities to function and find a team of providers that is respectful of your choices.
