Pregnancy

Congratulations! You are going to have a baby!

At Empower Family Chiropractic, Dr. J has been privileged to work with several expectant families and hope that you will include us on your healthcare team during your pregnancy and beyond.

Chiropractic care during pregnancy is safe, gentle, and offers many advantages both to mom and her unborn baby. Our experience in working with mothers-to-be has given us both the knowledge and skill to safely and gently care for the changing body of an expectant mother. .

A Mom’s Guide to Prenatal Chiropractic Care

During pregnancy, your body goes through 40 to 42 weeks of incredible metamorphosis and growth. Throughout this life-altering journey, several of these changes can cause temporary pain and discomfort.

Chiropractic care can help relieve pain naturally and enable you to maintain a healthy pregnancy. As your body helps your baby grow, chiropractic treatments can also prepare your body for a smoother delivery and aid in faster recovery during the postpartum months to come.

Specialized Care

Dr. J will take special precautions with you during your pregnancy. Modifications to the adjusting techniques and the table (pregnancy pillows to accommodate a growing belly) are made during each stage of pregnancy. With further certification in the Webster Technique, the specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment for pregnant women, Dr. J is able to help create more room for your child in the womb, helping you both maintain a healthy, comfortable pregnancy and delivery. She is one of the few Doctors of Chiropractic in the Lake Travis area certified in the Webster Technique.

Education

We’ll teach you stretches and exercises to practice for a smooth delivery. Dr. J also provides additional information for mothers regarding nutrition, supplements, physical activity, stress reduction and other important elements of health during pregnancy and postpartum.

Partnership and Preparation

There’s a reason why so many OBGYNs, nurses, doulas and midwives refer their patients to Empower Family Chiropractic during pregnancy: because it works. It’s an honor to be a part of your birth team to help prepare you for your optimal birthing experience!

“My personal goal is to help all pregnant women have an educated and  empowering  pregnancy and delivery.”

~ Dr. J

How Can Chiropractic Care Help During Each Phase of Pregnancy?

 

First trimester: Old injuries

When working with pregnant people during the first trimester I have one main goal in mind: address misalignments and muscular tension that were issues before becoming pregnant. Whether the person has a tendency towards tense shoulders that “flare-up” during times of stress, headaches from sitting at a computer for too long, or knee pain after too much activity, the postural stress of a growing baby can exacerbate these preexisting conditions. Treatments are focused on improving overall alignment and muscular balance to provide a solid foundation for the journey ahead. 

Second trimester: Postural and hormonal changes

Postural changes become more noticeable in the second trimester. During pregnancy, the center of gravity shifts forward to the front of the pelvis. As the baby grows, the sacrum and hips tilt forward and more stress is put on the low back. With these changes, the body no longer absorbs forces in the same way. Day to day activities like walking, running, and climbing stairs are felt more acutely and muscles may easily fatigue.

Physical changes are accompanied by hormonal changes. The body releases increased amounts of relaxin, a hormone that “relaxes” ligaments and joints to allow for the expansion of the pelvis during labor and delivery. Relaxin also results in joint hypermobility. Spinal and pelvic misalignments become more common with “loose” joints. With the effects of relaxin, ligaments, which are typically strong support structures for joints, are not as resilient to chasing after toddlers at home, gardening, or strenuous exercise.

Between the postural shifts and the hormonal flux, it is common for pregnant people to experience aching hips, pain in the buttocks or legs, tense shoulders, and fatigue. Treatments in the second trimester focus on identifying “weak areas” and finding ways to support and strengthen them. Pregnant people with persisting complaints usually require an adjustment to align the pelvis and hips, but may also need additional supports or lifestyle modifications to maintain alignment and comfort. Some need to be fitted for a sacroiliac belt after proper alignment is achieved, while others need recommendations on alternate sleeping positions, ergonomics at work, or guided exercise and stretching.

Third trimester: Pelvic balancing and the Webster Technique

Proper pelvic motion becomes increasingly important as pregnancy progresses and the baby gains weight. In the third trimester the Webster Technique (Link to Webster Technique page) may be used to ensure sacral alignment and optimal pelvic movement in preparation for labor and delivery. The Webster Technique involves a specific analysis of sacral alignment, a gentle chiropractic adjustment, and myofascial release of some key ligaments. The alignment of the sacrum, the triangular bone at the bottom of the spine, can affect alignment of the entire pelvis. The pelvis has ligaments attached to it that support the uterus. Thus sacral alignment can facilitate symmetrical support for the uterus and optimize space for the baby to move freely. A prenatal chiropractor’s role in the third trimester lies in restoring balance to the muscles and ligaments that support the uterus and thus allowing the baby to assume the best position for birth.

Benefits of chiropractic in during pregnancy

Chiropractic care can help alleviate these prenatal symptoms:

  • Sciatica
  • Neck Pain
  • Mid/Low Back Pain
  • Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
  • Pubic symphysis pain
  • Tingling and numbness in arms &/or legs
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Headaches
  • Nausea and Vomiting
  • Pain during labor & delivery

Additional Benefits include:

  • Reduced nervous system interference
  • Improved hormonal balance
  • Maintaining a healthier pregnancy
  • Reduced number of breech presentations
  • Reduced labor time by 50-60%
  • Reduced cesarean section rates
  • Less labor intervention

ICPA – Chiropractic in Pregnancy for Safer Births

Further information for benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy can be found on the American Pregnancy Association website.

We look forward to working with you and your family during this exciting time!

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