For a lot of pregnant women, pains and aches in the hips and lower back are part of the motherhood experience. In fact, about 50 percent of pregnant women will feel back pain at some point before they deliver their babies.
Fortunately, relief may be just a chiropractor visit away. Here’s what you should know about the advantages of chiropractic care during pregnancy.
Is seeing a chiropractor absolutely safe during pregnancy?
Chiropractic care is the medical care of the spinal column as well as the adjustment of misaligned joints. It does not involve drugs or surgery; it is a kind of physical therapy to alleviate spinal nerve stress and promote health throughout the body.
Over 1 million chiropractic adjustments are provided every day, all over the world. Complications are seldom. During pregnancy, chiropractic care is believed to be safe. Nevertheless, there are certain situations where chiropractic care may not be the best idea.
Always get your doctor’s approval before seeing a chiropractor during pregnancy. Chiropractic care isn’t typically recommended if you’re experiencing the following:
• vaginal bleeding
• moderate to severe toxemia
• placenta previa or placenta abruption
• ectopic pregnancy
While all licensed chiropractors receive training related to pregnancy, some chiropractors focus on prenatal care. Ask if they specialize in this field, or get a referral from your doctor.
To adjust pregnant women, chiropractors will make use of adjusting tables to be big enough for their growing bellies. All chiropractors should use procedures that will not put pressure on the abdomen.
A chiropractor can also show you efficient stretches for alleviating tension and easing discomfort.
How can a chiropractor help during pregnancy?
There are a lot of hormonal and physical changes a pregnant woman experiences during her pregnancy. Some of these will impact her posture and comfort. As the baby becomes heavier, the center of gravity shifts and the posture adjusts accordingly.
These physical changes during pregnancy can lead to misaligned joints or spine.
Other uncomfortable changes during pregnancy might include:
• a protruding belly resulting in an increased curve of your back
• changes to your pelvis as your body begins to prepare for labor
• adaptations to your posture
• Consistent visits to a chiropractor during your pregnancy can deal with these issues. One collaborative chiropractic and medical research showed that 75 percent of pregnant chiropractic care patients complained of pain relief. Also, adjustments designed to re-establish alignment and balance to your spine and pelvis will do more than just make you feel better. Chiropractic care can be advantageous for your baby, too.
Is a chiropractor beneficial for your baby-to-be?
A pelvis that is out of alignment can limit the amount of space available to your growing baby. When an external force inhibits your growing baby’s normal movements, it is known as intrauterine constraint. This can lead to birth defects.
Another complication that a misaligned pelvis may pose relates to delivery. When the pelvis is out of alignment, it can make it hard for the baby to move into the best position to be born, which is rear-facing, head down.
In most cases, this could affect a woman’s ability to have a natural and noninvasive delivery. A balanced pelvis also means that the baby has a lower chance of moving into a breech or posterior position. When the baby is in a nonoptimal birthing position, it can lead to a longer, more painful, and more complicated delivery.
Additionally, regular chiropractic care while you are pregnant can provide the following benefits:
• help you maintain a more comfortable pregnancy
• relieve pain in the hips, back, neck, and joints
• help to control symptoms of nausea
Next steps
If you are experiencing hip, back, or joint pain in your pregnancy, and you are considering chiropractic care, discuss with your doctor first. They can make a recommendation about a qualified chiropractor in your location. They will also help you decide if chiropractic care is safe for you and your baby-to-be.
Chiropractic care is usually a safe, effective practice during pregnancy. Not only can routine chiropractor help manage pain in your hips, back, and joints, it can also establish pelvic balance. That can provide your baby with as much ease as possible over the course of your pregnancy. This may lead to an easier and faster labor and delivery.