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Chiropractic Benefits During Pregnancy

A properly aligned spine can help make pregnancy and delivery more comfortable. Here’s how to find proper chiropractic care.

by: Dr. Jennifer Wise

ven if you’ve never seen a chiropractor before, pregnancy may be a good time to start. Here’s why:

Chiropractic benefits during pregnancy

Many women seek chiropractic care to relieve neck or back pain that can result from weight gain and altered biomechanics during pregnancy. But even if you’re not in pain, you can benefit from visiting a chiropractor. Chiropractic care during pregnancy maintains, and can even improve, balance and alignment in your spine and pelvis. This can help your baby assume her optimal birthing position and reduce the risk of having a breech baby.

Regular chiropractic care can also provide a more comfortable pregnancy and delivery for both mother and baby. It stimulates the nervous system to enable proper functioning of your reproductive organs, thus supporting the needs of your baby throughout pregnancy and during delivery. 

What is the Webster Technique?

The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic adjustment for pregnant mothers. It reduces interference to the nervous system and helps balance the pelvis, muscles and ligaments. The Webster Technique is successful in relieving intrauterine constraint and allows the fetus to move freely. It can prevent, and even convert, breech birthing positions. The Webster Technique should be started as soon as you find out your baby is in the breech position. Baby’s can flip as late as 39 weeks, but anytime after 35 weeks the chances for success are reduced due to limited mobility in the womb.

How to find a qualified chiropractor

When looking for chiropractic care during pregnancy, it’s important to choose a doctor who is trained through the International Chiropractic Paediatric Association (ICPA). These chiropractors have completed additional training in perinatal and paediatric chiropractic care, and many are trained in the Webster Technique.

How to improve your own alignment during pregnancy

Even if you don’t visit a chiropractor, there is a lot you can do on your own to improve the position of your pelvis during pregnancy. Pregnant women should:

• Avoid one-sided positions and repetitive motions to one-side. 
• Avoid carrying older siblings on your hips.
• When sitting, rock your pelvis forward and avoid long periods of time in semi-reclining positions, such as car seats and lazy boys. Your knees should never be higher than your hips and you should avoid crossing your legs.
• When sleeping, prop pillows between your knees for comfort. You spend approximately one third of your life in bed, so get comfortable. Use a supportive pillow and a firm mattress for spinal support.
• Avoid wearing high heels.
• Swimming and yoga are great forms of prenatal exercise.

Meet our Expert

Dr. Jennifer Wise is a family chiropractor at Urban Health Group in Toronto, ON.  She cares for people in all stages of life with a special training and focus on young family and perinatal chiropractic care.  You can reach Dr. Wise at (416) 489-0077 or drjenniferwise@gmail.com or visit the office website at www.urbanchiropractic.ca

For more information about chiropractic care for children and pregnancy, please visit www.icpa4kids.org