PREGNANCY & PRENATAL CHIROPRACTIC SERVICES

Pregnancy and prenatal patients see a number of changes and symptoms throughout their pregnancy. Added weight gain creates extra demand on spinal and pelvic muscles, potentially causing mechanical and neurological dysfunctions such as:

  • Stress and fatigue of the spinal and pelvic ligaments
  • Joint stress
  • Vertebral and pelvic restrictions
  • Sacroiliac joint dysfunction and pain
  • Pubic symphysis pain
  • Low back pain
  • Sciatica
  • Pain at the coccyx (tailbone)
  • Pelvic floor dysfunction (incontinence, pain or discomfort with penetration or intercourse, etc)
  • Leg cramps and restless leg syndrome
  • Headaches
  • Nausea
  • And Carpal Tunnel Syndrome aggravated by fluid retention

Prenatal chiropractic care can restore physiological function for both the patient and their baby. The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association recommends regular appointments throughout pregnancy to restore the uterus’s tone and counteract the effects of neuro-muscular imbalance in the pelvis. Pelvis misalignment may lead to inadequate uterine function, pelvic contraction or baby mal-presentation – all common causes of dystonia, or difficult labor.

Chiropractic care is an essential element of prenatal care and can have many positive effects on fetal development, labor, and delivery:

  • Decrease stress and interference of the gestational parent’s vital nervous system, enhancing fetal development.
  • Minimize fetal constraint, creating more room for the baby’s cranium, spine, and other skeletal structures to grow unrestricted.
  • Remove torsion of uterus supporting muscles and ligaments, reducing aberrant uterine tension.
  • Balance pelvic structures, muscles, and ligaments for optimal fetal positioning at birth.
  • Reduce the risk of dystonia (difficult labor) and unnecessary intervention induced birth trauma.

Dr. Sarah, Dr. Caitlin, and Dr. Rachel are certified in the Webster Technique – a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment that reduces the effect of sacral or pelvic restrictions and/or sacroiliac dysfunction. They offer a variety of safe and gentle hands-on therapies to help pregnant patients adapt to the complex physiological and biomechanical changes they go through from conception well into the postpartum period. Low-force adjusting techniques help restore and maintain normal motion in the joints throughout the spine and pelvis. Soft tissue techniques, stretching, at home exercises and proper nutrition will further support the ligaments and muscles. Our goal is to provide nurturing and individualized treatment as well as ongoing education to promote optimum health for patient and baby before, during, and after pregnancy.

Meet Our Prenatal Chiropractors

Conditions We Treat

Headaches
Neck Pain
Shoulder Pain
Upper Back Pain
Hand & Arm Numbness

Low Back Pain
Pelvic Pain
Pubic Joint Pain
Round Ligament Pain
Hip Pain

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Urinary Incontinence
Pelvic Heaviness
Sciatica
Birth 
Preparation

interested in learning more about prenatal exercise?
Download the prenatal exercise guide!

Frequently Asked Questions About Prenatal Chiropractic Care

Prenatal chiropractors have additional continued education that allows them to safely and effectively treat pregnant patients throughout all stages of pregnancy. Following a in-depth past medical history and physical examination, gentle adjustments are performed to help relieve common aches and pains associated with pregnancy. Your prenatal chiropractor may also give you a number of stretches or strengthening exercises that will help prevent future issues as your progress through pregnancy.

Doctors of Chiropractic do no flip breech babies, however the gentle adjustments that are performed during pregnancy can remove torsion and tension of the uterus, supporting muscles and ligaments to help balance the pelvis to help with optimal fetal positioning. If you have been told your baby is breech or transverse, we suggest scheduling an appointment as soon as possible with one of our Webster Technique Certified doctors.

There is no wrong time to start seeing a chiropractor when you are expecting. Our providers recommend beginning with regular chiropractic care as soon as possible to help prevent future complaints, such as pregnancy related low back pain, pelvic pain and sciatica. Seeing a chiropractor biweekly during pregnancy is ideal. Frequency will then increase to weekly closer to your due date.

No, chiropractic care during pregnancy is very safe. Dr. Sarah, Dr. Caitlin and Dr. Rachel are specifically trained to treat pregnant women at any stage during pregnancy.

I decided to mulch my entire front yard at 28 weeks pregnant… and the next day I couldn’t walk! I called and Dr. Sarah got me in the next day. I had immediate improvement after an adjustment, but perhaps even more important, I continued treatment throughout the rest of my pregnancy. I was able to keep exercising until the week I delivered!