Pregnancy

Pregnancy

At Happy Chiropractic we are dedicated to mothers and their babies. Pregnancy is an enjoyable life experience and one you should treasure. One way you can do this is by hiring a local photogrpaher like this maternity photography Huntsville to capture these precious moments.
however, during pregnancy a woman’s body goes through enormous changes. Having your spine checked during pregnancy ensures your nervous system is operating optimally assisting in the growth and development of your baby. From a structural perspective, regular chiropractic care helps the pelvis remain mobile and well positioned to assist with the growing baby and to prepare for vaginal childbirth where possible. Once the pregnancy is complete, your body will undergo vast changes in a relatively short space of time as you lose a lot of weight accrued over the course of the pregnancy almost immediately. To combat this, you could follow this postpartum program to get the body back into shape so you can look your best – https://www.ourfitfamilylife.com/immediate-postpartum-program.

Chiropractic in Pregnancy

Studies show that many women experience back and pelvic pain during pregnancy. Studies also show that chiropractic care is suitable and successful in helping manage these situations.

According to recent studies, chiropractic care may result in easier pregnancy including increased comfort during the third trimester and delivery and reduced need for analgesics (pain medication). In one study, women receiving chiropractic care through their first pregnancy had 24% reduction in labour times and subjects giving birth for the second or third time reported 39% reduction in shorter labour times. In another study, the need for analgesics was reduced by 50% in the patients who received adjustments. In addition, 84% of women report relief of back pain during pregnancy with chiropractic care. When women receive chiropractic care throughout pregnancy, the sacroiliac joints of the pelvis function better. As a result, there is significantly less likelihood of back labour (contractions and sharp pain felt in the lower back during labour). Chiropractic care has helped new mothers become more comfortable breastfeeding (posture-wise) as well as to produce more milk. Chiropractic care has also been shown to reduce the likelihood of postpartum depression. (source ICPA Pregnancy issue #20, Author Dr Stacey Rosenberg).

Why Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractic care is designed to allow your body to correct itself naturally. We all have an inbuilt intelligence that runs and controls our bodily functions. Your brain is the key part of this system as it possesses the unique ability to dictate physiological changes to help you thrive in any environment that you are in. Whether you are training for a marathon or indeed training to have a baby, whatever you need to function to your greatest capabilities, your brain organises the changes to happen in your body. For example, growth of your placenta, and little baby are prioritised by the brain and the changes in your uterus, hormone levels, joints of your pelvis are all brain driven changes.

The brains signals travel through the spine to reach the intended area of the body. The function of your spine influences the nerve signals and their ability to communicate vital messages correctly. Chiropractic adjustments are safe, gentle and designed to reduce stress and pressure on your brain messages so that you and your growing baby have the best possible experience through the important pregnancy period life.

The Webster Technique

If you think of the uterus as a balloon with ligaments attached to the outside of the balloon anchoring the uterus to certain parts of the pelvis, this helps to visualise the webster technique

The technique which is also known as a uterine constraint technique is centred around assessing the pelvic joints for subluxation (Dysfunction) and gently correcting these issues. As the uterine ligaments attach to parts of the pelvis, the pelvic dysfunction often creates uneven uterine ligament tension. If the ligaments are tense and uneven, the shape of the uterus can change subtly. the shape change can prevent your baby from finding its most perfect position.

The webster technique involves both pelvic adjustment and gentle ligamentous massage. The technique whilst renowned for helping breech babies, can be used with any pregnant mum to be and generally is suitable from about 34 weeks of pregnancy onwards.

Please note, the Webster technique is not a “turning the baby” procedure. It is designed to make the environment as suitable as possible to allow your baby to make its own way into its most perfect position.

Chiropractic care throughout pregnancy helps the pelvic joints to function well which may lessen the likelihood of a baby having a breech presentation.

NB We are not stating that chiropractic care is a cure or remedy for breech presentation. We are merely stating that chiropractic care during pregnancy is common and something we have experience in.

What can you do at home to help with Breech presentation?

Exercises:

• Leaning forwards with your arms and upper chest on a swiss ball, then gently rocking your pelvis in figure 8 motions in both directions
• Walking on your hands and knees (crawling)
• Walking on your hands and feet (elephant walk)
• Breech tilt – lie down with your legs and pelvis elevated. Placing cushions on the floor in front of the sofa is a good technique. Your pelvis and legs should be on a 45 degree angle.

What can a chiropractor do to assist with Breech presentation?

First, do no harm

First and foremost we take as much care as possible to ensure that you are safe. If we feel that we can not help you we will let you know as soon as possible. Also if we feel that we can help you but in conjunction with other practitioners then we are very happy to aco-manage you towards the best possible outcome.

Hormonal influences

As the body prepares for child birth there are many hormonal changes taking place. Some of the hormonal changes make your joints more pliable and soft. therefore we alter our methods where necessary to work with your body rather than “forcing” any change. Our aim is for you to have the best results possible without using high levels of force.

History taking

We carefully take a full history with all our practice members and being pregnant is no exception. We cover various aspects of your health history paying close attention to three areas of influence.

1. The physical aspects of your life e.g. accidents, posture, sports etc
2. The chemical aspects of your life e.g. medications, diet, toxicities, allergies etc

The emotional aspects of your life e.g. Stress levels, anxiety etc.

Examination

A chiropractic examination during pregnancy covers neurological, orthopaedic, and chiropractic specific testing. During pregnancy X-Rays are not taken, however we still perform an in house spinal EMG computerised scan, which measures electrical activity of the tiny muscle fibres around the spine. These measurements form an important part of determining what needs to be done. The EMG is completely safe for use during pregnancy.

Let the mother decide

We are a friendly team dedicated to helping you and your baby have the best possible outcome. We are compassionate and not forceful in our communication or recommendations. We will take the time to explain our best recommendations for you. We aim for the mum to be to be in a good position to make an informed decision about her pregnancy care.

Providing a comfortable environment

At Happy Chiropractic we have a calm and friendly environment. We have chiropractic tables that accommodate pregnant bellies so that there is no pressure on mums belly at all. We also have specially designed pregnancy pillows if needed. We also stock a large variety of health based products that may be of interest.

Adjustments

There are many different chiropractic adjustment techniques used throughout the world. In pregnancy we use gentle hands on techniques working with your bodies natural healing capabilities. Adjustments are not usually painful at all. Whilst the most obvious physical changes take place around the pelvis region, our approach is to look at the whole spine, as the relationships between the different spinal regions is pivotal in providing the best outcome.

General advice

We can and often provide general advice regarding health and wellbeing. This advice often covers topics such as exercise, rest, stress management, optimal positions to reduce constraint to your baby. We also offer nutritional information to allow you to be at your best during pregnancy.

Exercise advice

Chiropractors often provide exercise, movement and posture advice. During pregnancy, exercises are often recommended to counteract the postural changes associated with pregnancy. We also can provide advice to help keep tone through the pelvic floor. Pelvic floor strength is helpful to prepare for the exertion of labour and also for recovery afterwards

Part of the team

Chiropractors and midwives have a great deal in common when it comes to care during pregnancy: both have a preference to work within the body’s normal function and natural healing abilities, as well as to provide support for a non-invasive birth. Midwives are on the frontlines of pregnancy care and are often eager to find someone who can help with the maladies of pregnancy, most commonly back and pelvic pain. Chiropractors therefore have a place as an integral part of the pregnancy health care team.
Chiropractic care offers a safe and gentle approach to help manage any aches and pains that may arise during pregnancy, but most importantly Chiropractic assists with having a well functioning nervous system, which benefits the growth and development of your baby.