Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy: Is it Safe?

Pregnancy is an exciting and joyful time, but it can also be a difficult time for both mother and baby. The changes in and stress on the body, the hormonal fluctuations, and the need to adjust to life with a new person in it can all have an effect on your health and emotional wellbeing. Chiropractic care during pregnancy can help reduce these effects and make your pregnancy more comfortable and enjoyable.

Chiropractic care during pregnancy is known to be safe and beneficial as found by the American Pregnancy Association. Chiropractic care is also holistic healthcare which is often even more preferred by women when making decisions that can affect the child they are carrying.

What are the Benefits of Chiropractic Care during Pregnancy?

Chiropractic care during pregnancy can help to alleviate some of the discomforts that are associated with pregnancy by making sure that the spine and pelvis stay aligned and that there are no restrictions on blood flow or nerve functions that could cause pain or discomfort in other areas of the body.

The benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy include:

• Reducing back pain and pelvic pain
• Relieving urinary incontinence
• Reducing sciatica pain
• Improving sleep
• Reducing nausea
• Increasing energy levels
• Improving posture
• Easier labor and shorter delivery time

Prenatal chiropractic care can also help prevent intrauterine constraint, a condition caused by pelvic misalignment that can restrict the baby’s movement and room to grow. Ensuring the pelvis is properly aligned helps promote an optimal birthing position for the baby.

Sciatic nerve pain is also a very common complaint during pregnancy. As baby’s growth increases there is often increased pressure on the sciatic nerve causing pain in the hip and leg making walking and even rest difficult and painful. If mom is lucky the baby will shift position and relieve the pressure on the sciatic nerve but if not, chiropractors are experts at treating sciatica and can provide relief for mom.

When You Should or Should Not See a Chiropractor During Pregnancy

Although prenatal chiropractic care during pregnancy is safe, you should always discuss any health care plan with your obstetrician first and proceed with their recommendations. In pregnancies where there are health complications such as vaginal bleeding or ectopic pregnancy, your obstetrician may recommend you do not add prenatal chiropractic care into your treatment plan.

Many women prefer to begin prenatal chiropractic treatment in their first trimester with a monthly visit and increase to bi-weekly appointments as their pregnancy progresses as does the stress on their spine, joints, and ligaments.

All chiropractors are trained to perform prenatal chiropractic care and to recognize the need for gentler adjustment techniques as a woman’s pregnancy progresses.

At our family chiropractic practice, Dutchess Braincore and Wellness Center, we offer both prenatal chiropractic care and postpartum chiropractic care. Dr. William McKenna is specially trained to care for pregnant women and will work with you and your obstetrician to create a chiropractic care plan to help keep you active, thriving, and comfortable both during your pregnancy.