During pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes several hormonal and physiological changes to not only nourish the developing fetus but also to prepare for the upcoming birth. Those changes often prompt postural issues, mobility issues, and in many cases, persistent aches and pains that last for months.
Good news: a prenatal chiropractor can help alleviate many of the most common uncomfortable symptoms associated with pregnancy. Read on to learn what a prenatal chiropractor does and how pregnant women (and their babies!) can benefit from routine chiropractic care.
What Does a Prenatal Chiropractor Do?
A prenatal chiropractor performs gentle, manual adjustments to a woman’s spine, pelvis, and other areas of her body that have moved outside of their proper alignment. Since pregnancy causes a woman’s body to release hormones that encourage her muscles, ligaments, and tendons to relax, being pregnant can make it easier for joints to gradually move out of alignment.
Over time, those misaligned joints can cause considerable discomfort and may even result in certain conditions — such as intrauterine constraint — that can be unhealthy for the developing baby. By performing regular, gentle adjustments that gradually realign the spine and pelvis, a prenatal chiropractor can help:
● Increase Mom’s range of motion
● Improve Mom’s mobility and posture
● Decrease Mom’s back pain caused by poor posture
● Decrease nausea caused by improving overall nervous system function via manual adjustments
● Improve Mom’s sciatica symptoms and SI joint pain
● Improve labor and delivery outcomes by realigning Mom’s pelvis to allow the fetus to migrate into the appropriate rear-facing, head-down birthing position
The Webster Technique for Intrauterine Constraint
Intrauterine constraint occurs when a woman’s sacrum and pelvis become misaligned. When the sacrum moves out of its normal alignment, it pulls unevenly on the ligaments that keep the uterus in place within the pelvic basin.
As that gradual pulling occurs, the ligaments surrounding the uterus place undue stress on the organ, distorting its position and reducing the amount of internal space available for the growing fetus to move around. When the fetus cannot move freely toward the latter part of the pregnancy (around the 34-week mark), he or she may not be able to transition into the head-down birthing position.
Ultimately, a breach presentation is typically the result. Without treatment, many women who suffer from intrauterine constraint end up requiring a C-section birth since a natural birth with a breech baby can be risky.
The Webster Technique is a specialized chiropractic treatment designed specifically for pregnant women who suffer from intrauterine constraint. It involves a sacral and pelvic alignment evaluation, as well as specific, manual pelvic and sacral adjustments, that function to guide the sacrum back into its proper position.
A prenatal chiropractor who specializes in the Webster Technique will also perform soft tissue work (stretching and massage) on the ligaments that surround the uterus. This combination of manual sacral and pelvic adjustments and soft tissue therapy helps normalize ligament tension, thereby creating adequate intrauterine space for the fetus to position itself in the proper birthing position.
According to one study, the Webster Technique had a 92% success rate for resolving breech presentation, allowing mothers to give birth naturally rather than via surgical intervention.
FAQs About Prenatal Chiropractic Care
Whether or not a woman suffers from intrauterine constraint, regular visits to a prenatal chiropractor can provide several benefits throughout pregnancy. But many women have questions and concerns about getting prenatal chiropractic care that may deter them from getting the treatment they need to feel their best. Common questions we receive include:
● Is chiropractic treatment safe for the baby? Yes! Prenatal chiropractic adjustments are very gentle and completely safe for both Mom and baby. During treatment, we use specialized tables specifically designed to accommodate a woman’s changing body as comfortably as possible.
● How far into my pregnancy can I get chiropractic treatments? Ideally, you’ll want to receive chiropractic treatments for the duration of your pregnancy to see the best results. You can continue receiving treatments throughout your third trimester, which will help alleviate discomfort and help you maintain better posture as your growing baby experiences rapid weight gain during the final weeks of gestation.
● Do I need to discuss prenatal chiropractic care with my OB? Yes, you should speak with your primary doctor about your intention to start prenatal chiropractic care. Certain health conditions may preclude chiropractic treatments, so it’s in your best interest to get your doctor’s okay before you schedule sessions.
● Should I keep getting treatment after my baby is born? Absolutely. The birthing experience can throw your sacrum, pelvis, and spine out of alignment, and continuing to visit your chiropractor for routine treatment will help realign those structures. Not only that, but regular adjustments and manual therapy can help you feel your best as you navigate the physical challenges of caring for your new family member!
Looking for Prenatal Chiropractic Care Near Plymouth, MN?
If your pregnancy has you feeling achy and uncomfortable, let our team at Bomberg Chiropractic help you out! We specialize in prenatal chiropractic care and wellness treatments and can formulate a fully customized treatment plan based on your unique needs. To learn more about our services or schedule a consultation with Dr. Bomberg, feel free to give us a call today at 763-450-1755 or send us a message with your questions, and we’ll be in touch!