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Pregnancy

Dr. Jon adjusting a pregnant mom on a special table with a pregnancy pillow

Dr. Jon adjusting a pregnant mom on a special table with a pregnancy pillow

Chiropractic is very important for a mother during pregnancy. The pregnant woman needs to have her body as healthy and strong as possible in order to handle the rigors of pregnancy and childbirth. Chiropractic care will help ensure that the reproductive and other systems so essential for a healthy pregnancy receive a nerve supply from the spinal column without interference. The slightest interference to the nerve supply could adversely affect the mother and the developing fetus – all pregnant women should be checked by a chiropractor.

Chiropractic uses non-invasive and natural,  healing methods to ensure you are healthy.

We use a special chiropractic table and pillow when adjusting pregnant patients to better accommodate the pregnant figure. Focusing on keeping your body in alignment will help your body to function normally throughout your pregnancy, essential for a smooth and uneventful birth process.

Here is a great article written by Dr. Jeanne Ohm explaining why all pregnant women should be checked by a chiropractor (originally published in the I.C.P.A newsletter May/June 2001):

Chiropractic care is essential for the pregnant mother. Her systems and organs are now providing for two and their optimal function is critical for the baby’s healthy development. The mother’s spine and pelvis undergoes many changes and adaptations to compensate for the growing baby and the risk of interference to her nervous system is increased. Specific chiropractic care throughout pregnancy works by enhancing nervous system function and providing greater health potential for both the mother and baby.

Another important reason for care throughout pregnancy is to help establish balance in the mother’s pelvis. Because of a lifetime of stress and trauma to her spine and pelvis, her pelvic opening may be compromised, resulting in a less than optimum passage for the baby. Williams Obstetrics Text tells us that, “Any contraction of the pelvic diameters that diminish the capacity of the pelvis can create dystocia (difficulty) during labor”. They further state that the diameter of the woman’s pelvis is decreased when the sacrum is displaced. Dr. Abraham Towbin, medical researcher on birth tells us that the bony pelvis may become “deformed” this way by trauma. Chiropractors define this displacement/ deformation as spinal misalignment or subluxation primarily caused by the stress of trauma.

Additionally, these compensations to her spine and pelvis during pregnancy are likely to cause an imbalance to her pelvic muscles and ligaments. The woman’s pelvis supports her growing uterus with specific ligaments. When the pelvic bones are balanced, the uterus is able to enlarge symmetrically with the growing baby. If the bones of the pelvis are out of alignment or subluxated, this will directly affect the way the uterus will be supported. Unequal ligament support of the uterus will torque the uterus reducing the maximum amount of room for the developing baby. The term used to describe this is intrauterine constraint.

In some cases, this constraint restricts the baby’s positions during pregnancy adversely affecting his/her developing spine and cranium. Additionally, these limitations on the baby’s movement during pregnancy may prevent him/her from getting into the best possible position for birth. Any birth position other than the ideal vertex, occiput anterior position of the baby indicates the inhibiting effects of constraint. Such positions lead to longer more painful labors with increased medical interventions in birth. Often c-sections are resorted to and both the mother and baby miss the many benefits of a natural vaginal birth.

Family Wellness References:

  1. Cunningham FG et al, “Dystocia Due to Pelvic Contraction”, Williams Obstetrics, Nineteenth Ed 1989
  2. Towbin A, “Dystocia”, Brain Damage in the Newborn and its Neurologic Sequelle, 1998
  3. Netter F. “Pelvic Viscera and Perineum” Atlas of Human Anatomy ; 1994
  4. Hellstrom B, Sallmander U “Prevention of Spinal Cord Injury in Hyperextension of the Fetal Head” JAMA 1968; 204(12): 1041-4
  5. Anrig C, Plaugher G; “Chiropractic Management of In-Utero Constraint” Pediatric Chiropractic, 1998: Chapter 5 page 102.

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