Pregnancy Chiropractic: Taking Care of Yourself Before Baby Arrives

Pregnancy—whether first, last, or somewhere in the middle—is a time of delightful chaos. There’s planning, prepping, buying diapers, and sorting clothes. Baby number one requires the set-up of a nursery and shopping trips galore, but even tried-and-true moms take time to organize before their newest little arrival. No matter your situation, pregnancy takes a toll on mom’s body, mind, and emotions. Put a chiropractic visit with Dr. Chani Henderson on your checklist today for a healthier, more relaxed tomorrow.

Family & Sports Chiropractic in Vancouver WA helps pregnant moms through chiropractic care during and after pregnancy

During pregnancy, doctors suggest taking prenatal vitamins, eating healthy, getting (careful, gentle) exercise and plenty of sleep, and taking time to write out a birth plan or attend prenatal classes. You should also avoid smoking and caffeine and talk regularly with your doctor or midwife about what to expect and things to avoid.

Not every chiropractor is trained to work with pregnant mothers but those who are understand its importance. The American Pregnancy Association explains that treatment by a chiropractor during pregnancy can help with the many “physiological and endocrinological changes that occur in preparation for creating the environment for the developing baby.”

These include changes to posture and pelvis from a woman’s “protruding abdomen and increased back curve.” Proper alignment can have unseen benefits and provide tremendous relief. Their researchers explain that “When the pelvis is misaligned it may reduce the amount of room available for the developing baby…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 labor and lead to interventions such as c-sections.”

Chiropractic care can also help with the workaday aches and pains pregnancy brings. (Moms, if you’ve been there, you know what I mean.) Healthline reports that “For many pregnant women, aches and pains in the lower back and hips are part of the experience. In fact, approximately 50 percent of pregnant women will experience back pain at some point before they deliver.”

This is where treatment by Dr. Henderson can help. By performing non-invasive manipulation without the need for medication, it eliminates the adverse side-effects and risk of addiction pills can bring. And anything which brings a little relief when you’re feeling tired and grumpy is always nice.

Vancouver wa chiropractor for pregnant women

“Often times we see women years after a traumatic pregnancy and they have suffered from chronic, unrelenting back/pelvic pain ever since, simply because they were unaware of their options for care during the pregnancy,” says Henderson. “Pregnancy chiropractic care is not only safe, it should be an integral part of your healthcare. We can look at the results of misalignment from a bio-mechanical, hormonal and neurological standpoint. As your pregnancy progresses your gait (the way you walk) changes, generally into more of a ‘waddling’, which places greater stresses throughout your body.”

“Adjustments result in an easier pregnancy, significantly decreased mean labor time, and assists new mothers back to pre-pregnancy health,” continues Henderson. “Recommended treatment for optimal pregnancy and labor health increases with each trimester (as the body changes become more drastic).”

Beyond physical changes, pregnancy—especially during the long months and social restrictions of COVID-19—is mentally taxing as well. Our lives have turned upside down in so many ways and adding in the mood swings and upheaval of a new baby can feel overwhelming. Chiropractic treatments are known to lower blood pressure, which can rise when stressed, and do so without side effects. The CDC reports that even without Coronavirus issues approximately 6% of women will experience hypertension while pregnant which—if untreated—can result in preterm birth, low birth weight, or health issues for mom.

Spinal adjustments also kickstart your body to release good hormones into the mix. Mental health experts explain that “after getting a chiropractic adjustment, your body triggers an increase in hormones such as neurotensin, oxytocin, and cortisol. These hormones are involved in positive nervous system functioning.” Neurotensin neutralizes stress-induced pain, oxytocin works to boost neuro-communication and feelings of social bonding, while cortisol blocks pain from inflammation.

If your family is growing along with your belly, congrats! Put your feet up and start making lists. While you’re doing so, don’t forget to put Dr. Henderson’s name at the top and schedule a visit. She can help you with the phases ahead, so your body adapts and adjusts with ease. Give their office a call at 360-254-0400 or book a consultation online today.