Chiropractic care is health maintenance of the spinal column, discs, related nerves and bone geometry without drugs or surgery.
It involves the art and science of adjusting misaligned joints of the body, especially the spine, which in turn reduces spinal stress and therefore promotes health throughout the body. This is particularly important during pregnancy to help allow optimal health during the changes the pregnant body goes through.
All Chiropractors are trained to work with women who are pregnant. Investing in the fertility and pregnancy wellness of women who are pregnant or trying to conceive is a routine care for most Chiropractors.
We use tables that are adjustable for comfort of the pregnant woman’s body and our Gonstead system of Chiropractic is a specific technique that is gentle and avoids any pressure on the abdomen.
The following changes can result in a misaligned spine or joints.
Postural adaptations
Establishing pelvic balance and alignment is another reason to obtain Chiropractic care during pregnancy. When the pelvis is misaligned, it may reduce the amount of room available for the developing baby. This restriction is called intrauterine constraint.
A misaligned pelvis may also make it difficult for the baby to get into the best possible position for delivery. This can affect the mother’s ability to have a natural, non-invasive birth. Breech and posterior positions can interfere with the natural ease of labour and lead to interventions such as C-sections.
The nervous system is the master communications system of all the body systems. Keeping the spine aligned helps the entire body work more effectively.
This balanced state in the pelvis has been clinically shown to allow for optimal foetal positioning. The technique is known as the Webster Technique.
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 it may be beneficial to perform the Webster technique as soon as the 8th month of pregnancy when a woman has a breech position.
Currently the International Chiropractic Paediatric Association (ICPA) recommend women receive Chiropractic care throughout pregnancy to establish pelvic balance and optimise the room a baby has for development throughout the 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.
Most importantly, the pregnant woman should seek options that support the body’s natural abilities to function and find a team of providers who are respectful of your choices.
