Can I Get Adjusted While I’m Pregnant?
We are always so excited when our clients come in and tell us they are expecting! The first question that the new “soon-to-be” moms always ask is, “Can I get adjusted while I’m pregnant?” The answer is “Yes, absolutely.” It’s always important to make sure that your spine is in alignment and that the nerves are functioning properly and it is especially crucial during pregnancy.
Over the course of 9 months a pregnant mama’s body is going to change drastically. Multiple changes are occurring at once. Not just are you growing another human (so cool) but your own body is beginning to change! During pregnancy your body begins to release new hormones that are allowing your muscles and ligaments to expand and for your pelvic bones to shift. As the baby becomes heavier your center of gravity is even going to move forward, altering your posture. With all these changes going on it’s important to make sure that all of this shifting is happening without creating misalignments to the spine.
There are 5 major benefits that mom and baby experience when under prenatal care.
- Reduced Nausea
Nausea, or morning sickness, is one of the most common pregnancy symptoms that can be highly uncomfortable and difficult to endure throughout your first trimester. A chiropractor can help reduce nausea and vomiting by realigning your spine and improving overall nervous system function. As a result, your hormones can achieve a healthier balance to eliminate or lessen the severity of your morning sickness.
If you suspect your nausea is being triggered by heartburn or constipation, chiropractic care can also help improve digestive issues such as these to reduce your nausea.
- Easier Labor and Delivery
A short labor and birthing process, without pain or complications, is far preferable to a painful and hours-long labor and delivery. Getting regular chiropractic adjustments throughout your pregnancy can help ensure your pelvis, spine, and hips are properly aligned and that your nerves are in optimal working function. Your nerves are responsible for controlling your contractions and dilating your cervix during labor and delivery — meaning optimal nerve health can help you experience a faster labor and easier delivery, with less pain and discomfort.
Women who want to experience a natural childbirth without the use of medications can benefit from chiropractic care during pregnancy to help simplify and improve the birthing experience.
- Relief from Back Pain
As your body prepares for labor and delivery, it produces a hormone called relaxin that relaxes and loosens all the ligaments and joints in your pelvic area. This may cause some to experience instability and pain in their spines as supporting ligaments become much looser and more fragile. Seeing a chiropractor for regular adjustments during pregnancy can help relieve back pain that stems from relaxed ligaments and joints due to the natural production of relaxin.
Back pain among pregnant women may also be caused by postural problems that occur due to a heavier belly. Some women may unintentionally curve their backs as their babies become heavier and larger, which can throw the spine out of alignment and trigger back pain. Adjustments can help correct posture and spinal curvature to keep back pain at bay.
- Optimal Baby Positioning
A baby who is not in the position to be delivered head first at the time of labor is known to be in breech position, which can lead to complications including a highly difficult vaginal delivery, cord prolapse, or a C-section delivery. Chiropractic care during pregnancy helps you maintain healthy pelvic balance, so your baby has enough room to freely move head-first into the correct delivery position. During your eighth month of pregnancy, make regular chiropractic adjustments a priority to avoid breech presentation and benefit from optimal positioning.
- Healthier Overall Pregnancy
The goal of chiropractic care is to address and remove nerve obstructions in the spinal column that may be preventing your organs and immune system from functioning at optimal levels. The stronger and healthier your immune system, the stronger and healthier your baby’s own immune system will be at the time of birth. Prenatal chiropractic care can contribute to improved overall health for both you and your baby, and may reduce some unwanted symptoms so you can experience a safer, more comfortable pregnancy. All those uncomfortable symptoms will magically disappear the first time you hold your baby!
Schedule an appointment today to get your nervous system checked so we can help you and your new little one!
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