Pregnancy is a wonderful time but it can be an uncomfortable one, too, for many women. They experience everything from morning sickness to hemorrhoids. Many also feel pain as their back adjusts to all the changes — extra weight, breast expansion and growing uterus. Should moms-to-be add visits to a chiropractor in Cuyahoga Falls to their list of things to do during pregnancy? 

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HOW YOUR BODY CHANGES DURING PREGNANCY

Around the second trimester, the uterus starts to expand as the fetus grows bigger. That expansion puts pressure on the spine causing the lumbar curve to increase to compensate for mom’s protruding belly.  

As the abdomen expands, it becomes necessary to lean backward as you walk to add counterbalance. The shift in weight adds pressure to the facet joints that support the spine.

The ligaments that support the pelvis also begin to soften and the bones of the pelvic girdle shift forward to prepare for delivery. Now tack on sciatica pain, swelling ankles, aching knees and sore feet. All that can mean a very uncomfortable mom. 

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Five Reasons Expectant Moms Should See a Chiropractor in Cuyahoga Falls OH

Physical therapy or chiropractic for pregnancy can help relieve pressure on the nerves and put the vertebrae into alignment. The treatments may help relieve swelling in the ankles and feet as well. Consider five reasons you should see a chiropractor at Cuyahoga Falls Chiropractic Clinic in Cuyahoga Falls during your pregnancy. 

1. To Reduce Back Pain

A 2010 study published in the Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health found that up to 69 percent of women experience low back pain during their pregnancy. As your belly continues to grow, your posture and spinal curvature will change. 

The same study found that 94.1 percent of the participants did get relief from seeing a chiropractor. Adjustments throughout your pregnancy may help keep the spine in its proper alignment and prevent lower back pain. A more aligned spine will keep your posture in check, too. 

2. To Ease Morning Sickness

Some women find seeing the chiropractor in that first trimester can help relieve some of the nausea. An adjustment will also keep the back in alignment because all that bending over can cause pinching of the nerves. 

3. Happy Mom Means Happy Baby

Chiropractic adjustments work by eliminating obstruction in the spinal column. If nerves in the spine are pinched, it affects the mother’s health and that, in turn, affects the baby. Mom’s health is critical to how the baby develops. 

4. To Improve Baby Positioning

Often it is musculoskeletal issues that lead to cesarean sections. When a baby is breech, doctors will often try a chiropractic adjustment called the Webster Technique to reduce constraints that interfere with a vaginal delivery. 

When the hips and the spine shift, the baby is pushed sideways or turned around. Chiropractic care throughout your pregnancy might help keep the baby in its proper position for a healthy delivery. 

5. To Shorten Labor

If the hips and spine are in the right position, labor should be easier and faster. A misaligned spine can also pinch nerves that control contractions, making labor more of a struggle. 

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IS SEEING A CHIROPRACTOR SAFE DURING PREGNANCY?

There is no evidence that a healthy mom should not see a chiropractor during pregnancy, according to the American Pregnancy Association. There are pregnancy chiropractors that undergo additional training to specialize in neonatal care and infertility. They take steps during treatment to protect the pregnancy such as using specially designed tables to avoid putting pressure on the belly. 

Ultimately, it is up to your chiropractor in Cuyahoga Falls to decide if treatment is the right choice for you and your pregnancy, though. There are some conditions where chiropractic adjustments might not be safe, such as:

• Ectopic pregnancy - When the fertilized egg settles in one of the fallopian tubes instead of the uterus. 
• Placenta previa - The placenta attaches near or over the cervical opening in the uterus. 
• Placenta abruption - The placenta separates from the uterus.
• Vaginal bleeding - Bleeding may be normal for some women but it’s better to avoid adjustments if it occurs. 
• Pre-eclampsia -  A serious disease that pushes the blood pressure of the mother up.  

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WHAT STEPS SHOULD YOU TAKE BEFORE SEEING A CHIROPRACTOR?

If you’ve been feeling discomfort during your pregnancy, start looking for a chiropractor that specializes in pregnancy. There are specific things you can watch for or ask about:

Is the chiropractor Webster certified? This refers to the Webster Technique, which is described by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) as a specific adjustment to reduce the effects of sacral subluxation/SI joint dysfunction.  Put simply, it helps to realign the sacrum, a large bone at the base of the spine. 

What other certifications does the chiropractor possess? The most advanced is DACCP, which indicates extensive training in working with pregnant women. The ICPA also offers certification. 

Once you find a pregnancy chiropractor, make an appointment. Make a list of your concerns and any pain you might have and take it with you to the office. 

While you are there, talk about whether you should continue your visits after giving birth. There is some indication that chiropractic adjustments might help with lactation, as well. 

Give our team at Cuyahoga Falls Chiropractic Clinic a call at (330) 920-1681 today and ask how adjustments might help you or contact us online.