Pregnancy changes a woman’s body in so many ways—growing a human is hard work! Unfortunately, sometimes a baby’s growth adversely affects her mother’s body. Fortunately, many women have reported seeing benefits from visiting a chiropractor during pregnancy. Seeing a chiropractor is generally believed to be safe when you’re pregnant. Keep reading to learn what’s important when visiting the chiropractor during pregnancy.
Misalignments During Pregnancy
Joint, back, and hip pains are natural pregnancy ailments, especially in the later stages when the baby’s bump is at its largest size. In the third trimester, a pregnant woman’s body produces relaxin and progesterone—the hormones that loosen and relax joints—at a rampant rate.
Regarding chiropractic care, the most frequently reported pregnancy discomforts include back pain from a heavy, protruding abdomen from weak abdominal muscles and a curved spine. Our office often gets calls about shoulder, knee, elbow, and pelvic pain as well. Additionally, many pregnant patients consult a chiropractor when pregnant for intrauterine constraints. This is when there is less room for the baby from a misaligned pelvis.
Relaxin and progesterone prepare a woman’s body for birth by easing the joint connections in her hips and pelvis. However, these hormones may affect and misalign other bodily joints as well. Luckily, some women can relieve some of these symptoms with chiropractic therapy.
How a Chiropractor Help When You’re Pregnant
The good news is there are no known contraindications to chiropractic care for pregnant women. There is no reason a healthy pregnant woman without complications should forego chiropractic treatment.
If you are pregnant or know someone pregnant, you may be able to alleviate some of the aches, pains, and muscle tightness with realignment therapy. Many pregnant women have happily reported chiropractic care has improved their health by relieving discomfort. A chiropractor can alleviate pain in areas such as the neck, shoulders, arms, back, and hips. This can help create an overall more enjoyable pregnancy. Additionally, it can help eliminate nausea and intrauterine constraint.
Chiropractic care has also been reputed to improve the labor and birthing experience by creating more room for babies experiencing intrauterine constraints. It can also help to reposition breeched babies at times and increase the likelihood of a safe vaginal birth. So, it can prevent cesarean deliveries. Additionally, it can reduce the time of labor and delivery.
Although these benefits sound amazing, it is always important to get your treatment cleared with your OBGYN before visiting the chiropractor. Your OBGYN knows best when it comes to seeking external care during your pregnancy. He or she keeps detailed notes and data about your pregnancy and can give you sound advice regarding what to expect with quality prenatal chiropractic therapy.
When Chiropractic Care is Not Safe During Pregnancy
Sadly, not all pregnant women can participate in chiropractic care. In fact, chiropractic care can be dangerous for both the mother and baby in some instances. For example, an ectopic pregnancy, which is when a fertilized egg grows outside of the uterus, most commonly in a fallopian tube, can be even more dangerous during chiropractic care. Another condition that makes chiropractic care unsafe is preeclampsia, a condition resulting in high blood pressure, edema, liver and kidney damage. The same goes for placenta previa, which is when the placenta covers the cervix, and placental abruption, which is when the placenta detaches from the uterine wall before birth.
Don’t be discouraged if you’ve experienced some level of complication during your pregnancy. It never hurts to bring up chiropractic care to your OBGYN if you suffer from ongoing pain and misalignment.
Do This Before Going to the Chiropractor
As you read earlier, there are legitimate reasons why a pregnant woman should and should not engage in spinal realignments and joint adjustments. If you are cleared for realignment therapy, make sure you bring your prenatal records to your chiropractor. Granting them access to your prenatal information will allow them to make an informed decision about your treatment plan. One more thing—before you begin care, it’s essential to know how to identify an expert prenatal chiropractor.
What to Look for in a Chiropractor When You’re Pregnant
All chiropractors are licensed to treat pregnant women, but not all have experience treating pregnant women. Before you begin your therapy, find a chiropractor who specializes in prenatal care. Ensure the chiropractor you go to has the extensive prenatal experience, as well as positive patient reviews. You can also check for specific accreditations. Many chiropractors work to achieve additional certifications so they can provide excellent care for pregnant women.
Once you have reviewed your chiropractor’s credentials and reviews, it’s time to begin therapy. At the office, expect the doctor to review prenatal information with you. They should cover your treatment plan and how they will treat you to prevent complications with your pregnancy.
Conclusion
To conclude, it is generally safe to go to a chiropractor when you’re pregnant. Chiropractic care has a variety of benefits to relieve a pregnant woman from many aches and pains. As with any external treatment, consult your OBGYN prior to care.
If you are in Pensacola and would like to see a chiropractor when you’re pregnant, contact our office! Our team is here to help you feel better during pregnancy.
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