Healthy Spines for Happy Moms
Pregnancy and childbirth is a natural process with many exciting changes from conception until the birth of your newborn. Postpartum, your body continues to adapt to support your infant. Though natural, these changes can cause pain and strain on your body, and in some cases, chiropractic care can ease the physical stresses during your pregnancy, bring balance to your pelvis for an easier birth experience, and aid in the postpartum recovery.
A misaligned pelvis may also torque the uterus, reducing the amount of room for the growing baby and cause intrauterine constraint, which may contribute to the baby being in a breech or posterior position at or after 32 weeks. The mom-to-be may have back and pelvic pain, especially with twisting or turning movements. Breech positions from intrauterine constraint can lead to longer and more painful labours, with a greater chance of interventions such as external versions, epidurals, episiotomies and cesarean sections.
One chiropractic technique, developed by Dr. Larry Webster, founder of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), was reported to show an 82% success rate in relieving intrauterine constraint. This adjustment, known as the Webster Technique, establishes balance in the pregnant woman’s pelvis and has been clinically shown to allow breech and posterior positions to turn to the normal occiput anterior position.
As well as easing the symptoms of pregnancy and balancing the pelvis for an easier delivery, chiropractic can help you recover from the stresses of childbirth such as pain, exhaustion and incontinence. Postnatal care restores proper mobility and assists your natural healing process which helps you handle the demands of motherhood, like the 2am, 4am and 6am feedings! This is an important time to bring balance to the spine and minimize the strain involved with nursing and caring for your newborn. It is also an ideal time to have your newborn checked which can help with latching problems, neck tension and colickiness.
Chiropractic is natural health care for mom and baby. The best time to see a chiropractor is before you are pregnant as the pelvis will maintain balance more easily without the weight of the baby on your spine. However, it is never too late to seek chiropractic care especially if intrauterine constraint or a breech position is suspected.
Dr. Stephanie Bonn, BSc, BPHE, DC, FICPA provides chiropractic care for the whole family, with a special focus on women, children, and the childbearing year. She can be reached at www.cocochiro.com.
