- As your baby grows and becomes heavier, your center of gravity shifts, and your posture adjusts accordingly. These physical changes during pregnancy can lead to a misaligned spine, pelvis, or joints. Chiropractic care can help you maintain a healthier, more comfortable pregnancy, as well as relieving pain in the neck, back, hips, feet, and joints. Many patients also report a decrease in nausea with routine adjustments.
- A misaligned pelvis can restrict the amount of space available for your growing baby. When this happens, it’s also known as “intrauterine constraint”, which can lead to birth defects.
- A misaligned pelvis may hinder your baby from moving into the best position (head down, rear facing) for delivery. The chiropractor’s ability to realign and relax the ligaments and muscles in your pelvis has led to what is now known as the “Webster Technique”, a method that helps breech babies naturally turn themselves.
- Evidence has shown chiropractic care during pregnancy may reduce the length of labor and possibly prevent the need for a Cesarean section delivery.
- Pregnancy may increase the size of the foot caused by a hormone called relaxin. This hormone loosens the ligaments of the birth canal and pelvis in preparation for delivery. This same hormone may loosen the ligaments of the arch of the foot, as well. Many women report that their feet “grew” while pregnant and the increased size remained after delivery. Many chiropractors offer custom fit orthotics which can assist the arch ligaments from loosening and proper posture throughout the pregnancy.
