A Natural Alternative for a Healthy Pregnancy

Chiropractic and Pregnancy

“Get the catcher’s mitt out! I am under chiropractic care!!!”

This was an amazing statement from one of our patients at the first Chiropractic office I worked at in California. She was one of the first pregnant patients I had the pleasure to work with and I will never forget her testimonial. She was so excited the first day she brought in her newborn baby son for his first check-up. She had a very easy birth that only took about twenty minutes. As she went into the hospital, she told the doctors that she was under chiropractic care so get ready! She knew that by keeping the joints in her sacrum, pelvis and lumbar regions mobile she would have an easier birthing process than most women… and she was right!

Since then, I have had the absolute pleasure to adjust many pregnant women and coach them through the birth and development of their child. I was lucky enough to adjust my best friend who was pregnant when we were in student clinic. Funny enough, my intern at the time, who adjusted me, was also pregnant. I am not sure what was in the water at our school! It was a wonderful and beautiful experience to adjust her through her pregnancy.

Is chiropractic safe during pregnancy?

The biggest question I am asked by pregnant women is: Is Chiropractic safe during pregnancy? Pregnant women have been getting adjusted by chiropractors for over a century with no adverse reactions.  There is nothing I love more than when the pregnant women in my office have contests on who can have the fastest, easiest birth. They also love bragging that they do not have “common” symptoms or ailments during pregnancy (such as sciatica, back pain, morning sickness, etc.) It’s hilarious how competitive they get! One of my patients gave birth in four pushes and her husband almost missed it! I had another patient whose doctor told her if the baby wasn’t “sunny side-up,” she would have had the baby at work. OBGYNs usually perform a C-section when a child is posteriorly oriented which a longer, more difficult recovery process for the mother.  C-sections are also extremely traumatic to a child’s upper cervical region which can lead to neurological issues throughout his/her life.

Knowing the anatomy of the body, it makes absolutely perfect sense that the spine and nervous system need to be well-aligned for a healthy, normal birthing process. When the spine and pelvis are misaligned, it gives the baby less room in uterine cavity. Also, if the sacroiliac joints are subluxated, stuck and misaligned, then the pelvis cannot be flexible even with the body’s natural joint relaxing hormones. If the baby’s head cannot come through the pelvis easily due to the inflexible, subluxated pelvis, a lot of force may be needed to deliver the child. In some cases, instruments such as forceps or a vacuum may be used to aid the delivery.  The most common subluxation I see in newborns and infants is due to either a traumatic birth or Cesarean section.  Unfortunately, symptoms from this trauma may not present themselves until later on in life. Most children I see with torticollis, ear infections, sleep disturbances, speech delay, ADHD, and other neurological issues have had a traumatic birthing process which subluxates the upper cervical region. The upper cervical region has the most proprioception (healthy nerve input) to the brain which is imperative for brain growth especially in the first two years of life.

It is extremely important to have a well aligned spine and optimally functioning nervous system during the birth of your child. Call us today for a free consultation about your pregnancy. I am more than happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Congratulations on the most exciting journey of your life! Make Aligned for Life Chiropractic a part of your team today!

If you believe that your child may have been subluxated during the birthing process, it is important to get him/her checked as soon as possible. Call us today to schedule an examination 978-969-6105.