Pregnancy and birth are incredible processes, but they put the body under new and different stresses (think increased curve of the lower back, changes in center of gravity, increased breast size, “flattening” of feet, postural changes, widening hips, etc.) With not only their own health to consider, but also the health of the baby, many pregnant women are reluctant to take any over the counter pain relief drugs and turn to chiropractic care to help alleviate the aches and pains associated with pregnancy.
How can chiropractic help my pregnancy?
Chiropractic care in pregnancy is a safe and gentle way to promote comfort, minimize pain, and support the natural birthing process. It can play an important role as mother and baby develop together by ensuring that the mothers spine and nervous system can work to it’s very best. With the pelvis in a balanced state, the ligaments connected to the uterus maintain an equalized, supportive suspension for the uterus. If the pelvis is out of balance, these ligaments can become torqued and twisted, resulting in a condition known as uterine constraint. By relieving tension not only are you more comfortable but so is baby, giving your little one more room to grow and resettle into the best position for birth. Treatment is aimed at encouraging an easier delivery for both you and your baby.
How can chiropractic help my breech/transverse baby?
Dr. Valerie Skow is certified in the Webster Technique, which is commonly utilized when in-utero position presents as breech or transverse. This comfortable chiropractic technique helps to correct sacral misalignment, balance pelvic muscles and ligaments which in turn removes torsion to the woman’s uterus, its resulting constraint to the baby, and allows the baby to get into the best possible position for birth.
How can chiropractic help my labor and delivery?
Obstetrical texts report that difficult labors are caused by pelvic imbalances and its resulting effects on your uterus and the baby’s position. Care at Heartland Wellness Center restores balance to your pelvic muscles and ligaments which leads to easier births with fewer interventions such as pitocin, forceps, vacuum extractions, and cesarean sections. Chiropractic adjustments remove interference on your nervous system allowing your uterus to function at maximum potential, and your baby to get into an optimal position for birth. This supports safer, and more satisfying labor and deliveries.
What does prenatal chiropractic care involve and what should I expect?
We treat lots of pregnant women at Heartland Wellness Center! Expect to be empathized with and well cared for. Dr. Skow is specialized in prenatal chiropractic and gains the trust of new mothers very quickly. Through our hands-on approach, we work to restore balance to your ever-changing structures. Using a variety of low-force adjusting techniques, we help restore balance and maintain normal motion in the joints throughout the spine and pelvis. We also use a combination of myofascial release, cranial-sacral therapy, soft tissue techniques, and stretches to further support and balance the involved ligaments and muscles.
Common pregnancy-related conditions chiropractic can help:
When can I have prenatal chiropractic care?
Expectant moms can be adjusted at all stages of pregnancy. Whether you are experiencing pain before you are even showing, or when your bump is so big you cannot even see your toes anymore, chiropractic can help.
What about postnatal care?
Treatment of postpartum mothers is important to assess any structural changes that may have occurred during labor, and/or delivery. The increase of hormones during pregnancy softens the ligaments of the body and can frequently lead to spinal misalignment. After childbirth, the hormonal system will gradually return to its pre-pregnant state over the space of a few weeks. During this period of time, the ligaments are still loose and the spine can easily be misaligned. Birth, lifting a baby in and out of a crib, carrying a car seat, and even breastfeeding can cause such misalignments and pain.
Chiropractic is even safe and effective for babies! Dr. Skow has adjusted babies from two hours old. Read more here.
If you are experiencing any pain during your pregnancy or would like to try and prevent as much discomfort as possible, call us to arrange an appointment or book one below: