So you’ve gotten the good news! You may be wondering, now what? When most parents find out they are expecting, their mind wanders to baby strollers, doctor appointments and whether the nursery should be blue or pink. But have you considered the benefit of chiropractic care for yourself during pregnancy?
In the past, chiropractic care has been associated with back and neck issues, recovery from an accident or athletic venture, but more commonly we are learning of the great benefit chiropractic care offers during pregnancy to expecting mothers, as well as their developing babies.
Benefits of Prenatal Chiropractic Care
The first months of pregnancy are often accompanied by so many do’s and don’ts. Rest assured that one of the most beneficial DO’S you can choose to invest in is chiropractic care. Whether you are dealing with a tired and achy back from the extra weight you are carrying or nagging hip pain, prenatal adjustments by a chiropractor are a fantastic option to relieving those ailments.
Thoughts of labor and delivery may be daunting to a pregnant mother. Luckily the benefits of regular chiropractic visits during pregnancy have become more evident in recent years. When it comes time to actually deliver, mothers who received chiropractic care during pregnancy tend to report shorter and easier labors than those who did not partake in any chiropractic care.
What Does Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy Look Like?
During pregnancy, the hormone relaxin surges through a woman’s body in a higher dose than at any other time. As the name suggests, relaxing causes your muscles and joints to go into a relaxed state, so much so that if the ligaments become too loose, you may experience instability and even pain. The spine and pelvis take on much of this physical stress as they work to keep you upright and support the extra weight gain that accompanies pregnancy. As your abdomen grows, it is natural for the curve in your lower back to become more pronounced as you try to alleviate your body’s imbalance.
During chiropractic visits, your provider will likely ask what your pain points are and where you feel the most pressure throughout the day. He or she will work on the structure of your spine as a whole while targeting those problematic areas to help decrease discomfort. The adjustments may be similar to those you would receive while not pregnant, but with special care in mind for the changes occurring in your body.
The good news is that with regular adjustments, your spine and pelvis can be manipulated in a way that allows a better ability to function, which leads to a better feeling you.
Benefits For Baby
While the mother is the main one receiving treatment during pregnancy, there are also benefits to the growing baby as well. If a mother’s pelvis is out of alignment, the space that the baby has to grow is restricted. Adjustments to the spine and pelvis allow the baby to settle in the most optimal position prior to birthing, which is a win for both baby and Mom.
Postpartum Care For Mothers
In addition to the benefits prenatal chiropractic care offers expectant mothers, those who have delivered and are on the road to recovery will also benefit from postpartum care. An adjustment post birth is essential to a mother’s recovery and realignment after the enormous amount of physical exertion she has just experienced.
Receiving an adjustment post-delivery will enable the structure of your spine and pelvis to heal quickly and naturally. Women seeking an adjustment and chiropractic support are encouraged to visit their chiropractor around two weeks after delivery. Your body will thank you for the extra effort you put into your own healing as you navigate this time of so many physical, mental and emotional changes.
Prenatal Chiropractic Care For You
Whether this is your first pregnancy or you are a veteran parent, rest assured that at Meyer Chiropractic we are well equipped to deliver both pre-natal and postpartum chiropractic care that is second to none. We care for our patients the way we would care for our own mothers, daughters, wives and sisters. If you are curious about what chiropractic care can do for your pregnancy journey and post -partum healing, call today to schedule an appointment or book online.
