We're all about easing the pain when it comes to delivery, but our main focus will always be on the comfort and safety of our baby. We'd heard rumours about seeing a chiropractor during pregnancy (and the magic it can do for delivery), so we decided to get to the bottom of it...
I've heard that visiting a chiropractor during pregnancy can help with delivery. Why is that?
Regular chiropractic care throughout the entire pregnancy can help to ensure that mom’s body is in balance and in prime condition for labour and delivery. Women who receive prenatal chiropractic care often report reduced back pain and discomfort during the pregnancy, less morning sickness and an improved quality of labour and delivery.
Chiropractic care during pregnancy is aimed at balancing mom’s body, especially the pelvis where the baby is carried. Most of us have bodies that are slightly off balance, like one hip is a little higher than the other. When mom’s pelvis is imbalanced, it is usually accompanied by tighter muscles and ligaments. These tight muscles and ligaments pull on the uterus making mom’s body sore and the baby’s prenatal environment tighter.
Labour is a profound letting-go of the body and if mom is imbalanced and there is intrauterine constraint then there may be strain on the baby. It can decrease the space within the placenta, and this may make it more difficult for the baby to get into the best birthing position and come out as easily as possible.
There is a specific technique that chiropractors use, called the Webster Technique. This gentle pelvic balancing technique is specifically used towards the end of pregnancy when the baby has not turned into the best position, i.e. the baby is breech. The purpose of the Webster Technique is to restore mom’s pelvic balance and release the ligaments therefore minimizing intrauterine constraint. This provides the baby with enough room to turn itself into the optimal birthing position.
How does chiropractic care affect the baby? Is it dangerous?
Chiropractic care during pregnancy is not dangerous for the baby. The adjustment is being made to mom and therefore the baby is not being adjusted or affected at all. There has never been a report of a chiropractic adjustment negatively affecting an unborn baby.
Chiropractors have a variety of techniques to use. Those that offer mom prenatal care have an array of gentle chiropractic techniques. There are pillows that help cradle the growing stomach and sore breasts. The mom-to-be can lie comfortably on her stomach during the adjustments even a week before labour!
Women who receive prenatal chiropractic care often report an increase in baby movement in the few hours following the adjustment. This is mostly because mom was able to lie on her stomach, which she does not get to do anywhere else.
The best effect for the baby is that when mom is all balanced and feeling great, the baby has a more comfortable environment to grow. Chiropractic care has reported side effects of reduced back pain and discomfort and less morning sickness. Let’s not forget that women receiving prenatal chiropractic care have reported shorter labour time, easier labour, less intensity of pain during labour, and less need for medical intervention.
The bottom line is that chiropractic care is safe for you and your baby, and you will feel much better too!
Dr. Jordanna Clarfield-Henry graduated from the Canadian Memorial Chirorpactic College in June 2005. She spent her first two years practising in a busy family practice in Perth Australia. She now owns and practises at the Mt Pleasant Chiropractic Clinic. She runs a busy family practice where she focuses on the care of pregnant women, infants and children.
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