Pregnancy presents the perfect opportunity for us to evaluate our health and lifestyle practices. Many of us commit to achieving optimum wellness for ourselves and baby. In addition to regular prenatal visits, many moms also consider treatment from a chiropractor. Chiropractic care targets the health of your nervous system, which controls and coordinates virtually all bodily functions. It can help holistically address discomforts during pregnancy, strengthening your body for labor and birth, and help you have a gentler postpartum period.
Have An Easier Pregnancy
In just nine months our bodies transform hormonally and physiologically to support, grow, and birth baby(ies). Unfortunately, these rapid changes can be accompanied by some unpleasant symptoms.
Often an early pregnancy symptom, nausea and vomiting (morning sickness), is an ailment partly attributed to rapidly rising hormone levels and the detoxification capabilities of your liver. An adjustment targeting parts of your thoracic spine may help mitigate symptoms.
Approximately 70 percent of expectant mothers experience low back or pelvic pain during pregnancy. Changes including the growth of baby and uterus, weight gain, increased breast tissue, and the softening and stretching of ligaments can all be sources of discomfort. A recent study shows that nearly ALL women who received chiropractic care for back pain experienced dramatic improvement in their discomfort within just one week of treatment.
Shorten Your Labor and Birth
Aptly named, labor is the work that we put into birthing our babies. A chiropractor can adjust your pelvis, allowing baby to settle in the best position for birth. A method called The Webster Technique is proven to help you have a shorter, easier birth with less medical interventions. Some of the astonishing statistics include, a 50% reduction in use of pain medication, about a 30% faster than average first stage of labor, and a significant reduction in the use of an epidural, forceps, vacuum extraction, an episiotomy, and likelihood of a surgical birth.
Enjoy A More Blissful Postpartum Period
Breastfeeding your newborn is a rewarding experience, though sometimes challenging. According to the CDC, nearly 80% of US mothers initiate nursing their newborn, but by three months of age, less than half of babies are exclusively breastfeeding. Some early breastfeeding difficulties are attributed to our modern birthing practices. Interventions including induction of labor, IV fluids, pain medications, and separation of mother and baby can contribute to nursing challenges. An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant can examine you and baby, and may refer you to chiropractic care for help. Mom may need an adjustment to augment her milk supply. A newborn could benefit from gentle bodywork to allow for a deeper latch or more coordinated sucking.
Colic, a newborn ailment, defined by long stretches of inconsolable crying and poor sleep, beginning within the first few weeks of life, can be disheartening to parents. Adjustments can help restore proper nervous system function to your baby. A calm, alert baby is better able to nurse, sleep, and grow.
The Nurturing Root believes that chiropractic care enhances your physical and emotional well-being during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. We are happy to provide chiropractic and other natural parenting resources for families living in the Baltimore area.
Wishing you a well adjusted pregnancy and birth!
Written by: Alayna Spratley
