Chiropractic care for all stages of pregnancy
Whether you are in your first trimester, second or third, seeing a chiropractor during your pregnancy can help to support a new mum-to-be.
Back pain, neck pain, pregnancy headaches, sciatica, carpel tunnel or leg cramps? These are just some of the symptoms you may experience during your pregnancy. The aim of your chiropractor is to help support you from pre-conception through to labour.
Chiropractic during preconception
Like many other health professionals, chiropractors encourage women to seek chiropractic treatment prior to conception. Chiropractic adjustments during this time is aimed at releasing any joint and/or muscle tension which may be present in your body. Tension that may become worse once you become pregnant.
During the preconception period your chiropractor will also be assessing your spinal and pelvic alignment. Proper alignment of these areas are essential in order to minimise stress on your spinal joints, pelvis and muscles.
Since many chiropractors also recommend supplements to help compliment their chiropractic treatments, your chiropractor may ask you to begin taking folic acid and a good quality multi-vitamin/multi-mineral for at least 30 days prior to conception.
Chiropractic adjustments during your first trimester
So you just found out you’re pregnant, and wondering if you should still continue with chiropractic adjustments. The answer is YES! Chiropractic treatments can help to manage some of your pregnancy related musculo-skeletal conditions. If your chiropractor also utilizes nutritional testing, they may also be able to make recommendations which may help with morning sickness, vomiting, stress and tiredness.
Chiropractic adjustments during your second trimester
During this stage of your pregnancy, many of your baby’s organs should have already started to form. You may also start to notice a difference in your appearance. Your breasts may appear larger than normal, you may have rounded shoulders, you may have swollen ankles and flat feet, and your belly may be protruding.
For many pregnant women, some of their early pregnancy signs such as morning sickness may begin to ease off. For others they may still notice areas of discomfort. Considering your baby will be growing more and more every week, your posture and spinal / pelvic alignment will change in order to accommodate for your baby’s growth. Your chiropractor will help support your body in order to allow it to adapt to your growing baby. They will also keep checking that you have optimal spinal and pelvic joint alignment and mobility.
Chiropractic adjustments during your third trimester.
In your final trimester, your chiropractor is just as important now as they were during your previous stages of pregnancy.
During your final weeks your baby will undergo tremendous growth, and your body will change in response to this. Your centre of gravity will shift causing more strain on your lower back, mid back, neck and shoulders. Some women may experience back pain, sciatica, pubic symphysis dysfunction, headaches, carpel tunnel and even “pregnancy waddle”, due to this shift in gravity. Visiting your chiropractor may help you manage some of these symptoms.
As you get closer to your due date, your pregnancy chiropractor will also focus on assessing your pelvic and uterine ligaments.
If you are currently pregnant, and not sure if Chiropractic is right for you, feel free to contact our centre and arrange a FREE phone consultation with our chiropractor. Likewise, to make an appointment with us, please call our office on 9822 7335 today.
