Chiropractic care for a better pregnancy, labor and delivery

Many women begin to have discomfort as they enter the second and third trimesters of their pregnancy. Some may have never experienced these issues before while others may have exacerbated complaints stemming from previous issues. The fact is, as your body changes each week to  accommodate a growing fetus, there is a likelihood that you may experience some of the typical complaints that I see in my prenatal patients.

As the uterus grows bigger, the pelvis and overall posture changes position to accommodate the growing belly. This can put more stress on the lower back, hips, tail bone and even round ligaments (where you get "growing pains") of the expectant mommy and can cause anything from mild discomfort to severe pain. You do NOT need to suffer through this because chiropractors like me who are trained to work with this issue can help improve spinal and pelvic alignment, which balances the body and reduces irritation to the nerves that are causing your pain.

In addition to gentle chiropractic care, making some minor changes at home can also be a big help to a growing belly, such as how long you're sitting at a time, what you're sitting on, what position you sleep in, what you're eating or drinking to nourish you and baby, and what type of exercise you may or may not be doing. Prenatal yoga is a wonderful addition to a pregnancy because it helps to focus on strength and stretching while being very safe for your changing body. If yoga isn't your thing, consider taking daily walks or doing some light laps in the pool to keep your heart healthy and body moving, loose and limber.

Make sure to talk to your chiropractor about specific questions you have about your pregnancy and things that you should or shouldn't be doing to help you feel great for the entire 40 weeks! Many women who have seen a chiropractor throughout their pregnancies describe a shorter labor and easier delivery because their body, spine and pelvis was in the best alignment possible to welcome the baby!