The powerful gift of creating and bringing a life into this world is a life-changing experience that completely transforms a woman.
It is said that giving birth is like a rebirth for a pregnant woman, where her entire being goes through an immense physical and emotional transformation.
During pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes physiological and endocrinological changes that misalign her skeletal system, particularly the spine and the pelvic region.
The hormonal changes loosen the ligaments, and the lowered center of gravity due to the extra weight of the baby can further add to the stress and discomfort, which, when left unaddressed, can result in complications during delivery. The good news is that expectant mothers now have help on hand in the form of a prenatal chiropractor.
A chiropractor helps realign the skeletal system of our body, correcting the misalignment created by certain illnesses, lifestyles, or accidents.
All chiropractors are professionally trained to treat pregnant women safely and knowledgeably, but consulting a prenatal chiropractor who specializes in treating pregnant women will give mothers-to-be more confidence in the treatment and care.
The Benefits of Prenatal Chiropractic Care
Relieves spinal stress
One of the most common issues in pregnant women is back pain, caused by an imbalance with added weight and the preparation for delivery by the loosening of ligaments and joints.
Visiting a prenatal chiropractor for routine adjustments will help relieve the pain and restore balance to the spine.
Balances the pelvis
A balanced pelvis is important for the free movement of the baby, leading to being in the right position pre-birth.
There is sufficient evidence for an 82 % success rate in subverting a possible breech position of the baby before labor.
Eases nausea
Morning sickness is a common complaint among most women in the first trimester. In some cases where there is extreme nausea, chiropractic care, along with changes to the diet and medication, can bring immense relief.
A prenatal chiropractor realigns the spine to improve the function of the nervous system, which balances the hormones. Any digestive issues like acidity, etc., can also be dealt with with additional adjustments by the chiropractor.
Helps avoid injuries
Regular chiropractic care helps pregnant women remain flexible, which helps avoid stress injuries that can occur while women adapt to their changing bodies and balance. The most affected aspect is posture, when women arch their backs to support the changes.
This arching can lead to permanent neck and back pain and injury. With the help of a chiropractor, you can learn ways to keep a straight back throughout the pregnancy period. Chiropractic care also helps reduce inflammation, which further helps pregnant women.
Smoother delivery
The regular realignment and adjustment of the pelvic zone, spine, and hips make the delivery process smoother and easier. Moreover, proper functioning of the nervous system can help women control contractions and labor pains better.
Improves sleep
Due to the additional weight, changing body, hormonal changes, etc., discomfort can affect sleep quality. The lack of proper sleep adds to the existing issues, making pregnancy more difficult for many women.
The realignment and adjustments will ease out the discomfort, and the techniques advised by the prenatal chiropractor for a comfortable sleep posture will improve your sleep.
Better postnatal recovery and wellness
Since the body does not experience stress, discomfort, pain, or injuries caused by the misalignment and imbalance, it recovers faster and better after the delivery.
A well-cared-for body under the guidance and care of a chiropractor regains its health faster, leading to continued wellness long after the delivery.
A new mother needs a lot of strength and energy to look after her baby and a healthier body will make it easier for her to adjust to her new role and its demands like cradling and holding the baby for long periods, lack of sleep, and adequate rest, bending to lift the baby and accessories like prams and car seats, and so on.
Christopher Adams is a registered dietitian specializing in weight management and preventative healthcare. He’s also the author of a bestselling book on nutrition and a consultant dietitian for hospitals and wellness centres. Adams believes in empowering individuals to make healthier food choices using evidence-based research and practical advice.