Today’s topic is chiropractic care during pregnancy. Now, I am by no means an expert in this area, but, coming from the patient’s standpoint, I can say that I’ve benefited greatly by receiving regular chiropractic care during my current pregnancy.
How can chiropractic care help? Well, according to my chiropractor, Dr. Nicole Whitehead, chiropractic care during pregnancy can help with:
- neck, shoulder and back pain from increased breast and abdomen size
- carpal tunnel syndrome from fluid retention (I had this the end of my first two pregnancies…but I have not yet developed it this time!)
- rib pain from expanding rib cage
- low back/hip/sciatic nerve pain
- pain from shifting pelvic bones
- breech, transverse or posterior positioned babies
In addition, AmericanPregnancy.org states that chiropractic care during pregnancy can help to maintain an overall healthy pregnancy, curb nausea, reduce the time of labor and delivery, and possibly help prevent a C-section.
If your chiropractor is certified in and uses the Webster technique, you will increase the possibility of having a well-positioned baby for delivery. In short, the Webster technique assesses and corrects misalignments in the pelvic area and low back. This helps keep the ligaments and muscles which support the uterus relaxed. A relaxed uterus allows baby to more easily get in a better position.
The Webster is a very gentle technique. In fact, the first time my chiropractor adjusted me this way, I said: “Is that it?!”
Here’s a YouTube video demonstrating the Webster technique. Here’s another video that explains the technique in more detail.
I did not receive any chiropractic care during my first pregnancy–despite having suffered chronic low back pain since age 15 (16 years now). I did receive 2-3 adjustments during my second pregnancy, although the chiropractor I saw did not use the Webster.
For my third pregnancy, I got adjusted–including the Webster technique–weekly since the end of my first trimester. My baby was transverse at around 32 weeks. Basically, she was lying horizontally across my mid-abdomen. After a couple adjustments, both my midwife and chiropractor confirmed that she had turned head down and was ready to go!
Have you ever received chiropractic care during pregnancy? What is your opinion on it?
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Check out the other posts in this series!
Jami Leigh
Thanks Erin!! I have been wondering about this for a few weeks. My back and neck pain are getting increasingly worse (I have always had a bad back) and as I move into my second trimester I’ve been wondering about going to the chiropractor. I’m just not sure how to find a good one 🙁 We just moved into a new area and no body I know has ever had chiropractic work done during pregnancy. Thanks for sharing this, it motivates me to go find a chiropractor!!
Erin
I highly recommend going if you are already have back and neck pain! My neck pain was mostly from stress (my chiro says women carry stress in their necks a lot!), but I’ve had low back pain over half my life. I have seen a huge improvement! Here’s a site where you may be able to find a good chiro! http://icpa4kids.org/Find-a-Chiropractor/
Heather Anne
I have seen a chiropractor for the entirety of this pregnancy. I have a problem with my lower back and pelvis. During my first pregnancy (stillbirth at 23 weeks), my pelvis moved in the wrong position. Because I got pregnant within 3 months of delivery, it never fully healed. My chiropractor has kept it under control. I’m 36 weeks and feel great, only having minor aches and pains. I LOVE my chiropractor! My baby’s in the right position, I feel great, and I haven’t had any type of major pregnancy complaint the whole time (not even swelling in this crazy heat! Great post! I hope that more women will search out a good chiropractor during pregnancy!
Erin
I am 36 weeks as well–today! I wonder if we have the same due date?! I’m so glad you’ve had a positive experience with chiro care as well! Blessings on your upcoming delivery!! 🙂 Congrats!!
Krista
It is a necessity! With my first pregnancy I had trouble feeling like my leg would fall out of its socket and with my second the connection of my hip to my back would get locked up – instant relief after my chiropractic visits.
Erin
I agree! So glad it helped your leg pain!!
Anne @ Quick and Easy Cheap and Healthy
I wanted to get chiropractic care during both of my pregnancies, but at the time didn’t have any recommendations for good local chiros. Now I know a good one, so if I ever have another, I’m definitely getting regular adjustments!
Melinda
Thank you for posting this! I am just starting with regular chiropractic treatment, and I just started my third trimester. It’s encouraging to know about all the benefits from recieving regular chiropractic care.
Erin
Congrats on your pregnancy! I am 37 weeks and am just starting to go twice/week. I can’t wait for my adjustment tomorrow!
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