Pregnancy can be one of the most exciting and memorable times in a woman’s life. As our bodies grow and prepare for labour and delivery, incorporating natural health options into our prenatal wellness plan can encourage a healthy pregnancy and a comfortable delivery.
In particular, mothers-to-be are discovering the many benefits associated with chiropractic care throughout pregnancy. The approach of chiropractic is gentle, safe and holistic - focusing on spinal alignment and optimal nervous system function.
During pregnancy, women’s bodies undergo mechanical stress due to the rapid growth of the baby. As a result, our bodies need to adapt structurally to these changes. Often times, pre-existing imbalances in one’s spine can become noticeable as these changes occur. These once asymptomatic misalignments can then produce discomfort, making it difficult to perform routine activities of daily living. In fact, a great percentage of women experience back pain during pregnancy. Chiropractic care throughout pregnancy can relieve and even prevent many mechanical discomforts commonly experienced by using specific adjustments to restore position, motion and function of the spine.
Comfort for mom and baby lies in the pelvis. As the baby develops, a mother’s uterus enlarges to accommodate this growth. If the pelvis is in a balanced, aligned state, all ligaments connecting to the pelvis remain equalized. However, if the pelvis is out of balance or misaligned, these ligaments can become torqued and twisted – known as intra-uterine constraint. The consequence is less than optimal space for the developing baby, which can also prevent ideal positioning for birth. Even if the baby is in the desirable head down position, often times this intra-uterine constraint can lead to the baby’s head being tilted off to one side or a presentation in the breech position. Any position off ideal will slow down labour and add pain and distress to both mom and baby.
Pregnancy and birth is a natural phenomenon. Doctors of Chiropractic work with your pelvis throughout pregnancy to restore a state of balance for an easier, safer delivery. In fact, obstetric texts report that dystocia (difficult labour) can be caused by pelvic imbalance. Unfortunately, labour and delivery can move from a natural process to a procedural intervention such as the use of epidurals, vacuum extractions, forceps use and forceful pulling on the baby’s fragile spine – all of which may be physically and emotionally traumatic to both mother and baby. Much of this can be avoided by having proper pelvic balance and alignment.
Published studies have indicated that chiropractic care does in fact reduce labour time and has been shown to reduce the need for pain medications and medical interventions. As such, the role of chiropractic in pregnancy is being recognized as vital to a healthier pregnancy and an overall easier birth.
Find a chiropractor who offers prenatal care and adjustments to suit your special needs in pregnancy. Comfort and safety for both mother and baby is paramount. Consider including chiropractic care in your prenatal care regime - offer yourself and baby-to-be the opportunity for a more comfortable pregnancy and a safer, easier delivery!
Dr. Shamira Hudda is the founder of Art of Wellness - a boutique-style centre for health & well-being, located near Toronto’s waterfront. With a special interest in women’s health, Dr. Shamira provides integrated, natural health care to help women live at their fullest potential. Prenatal chiropractic, acupuncture and nutrition is what makes Art of Wellness the destination of many moms-to-be! To learn more, please visit www.artofwellness.ca or contact her at info@artofwellness.ca
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