The benefits of Chiropractic care during Pregnancy and Birth

At Eastern Bay Chiropractic, we love to look after our expecting mothers nerve system throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey. 

 The nerve system is the master control system of the body made of the brain, the spinal cord and the nerves. Think of the brain as a central computer responsible for coordinating every single function of our body - including growing a baby, by sending nerve messages down the spinal cord, out the nerves (like powerlines) to our body’s trillions of cells, then back to the brain. 

 As chiropractors, our role is to ensure an optimal brain-body communication for optimal fetal growth and development, a more comfortable pregnancy, empowered birth and facilitate postpartum recovery.

1.     Benefits of Chiropractic care during Pregnancy

During the nine months of pregnancy, the woman’s body undergoes important physiological and physical changes to nurture the developing fetus and prepare the mother for labor and delivery. It can be difficult for the body, particularly for the spine and pelvis, to adapt to those changes and can result in spinal and nerve system dysfunction.

The role of the ligaments attaching the uterus to the pelvic is to support and maintain the uterus in a proper position during fetal growth. Imbalances in the spine and pelvis can negatively affect the pelvic cavity space and create intrauterine constraint. A chiropractic adjustment reduces interferences to the nerve system and balances maternal pelvic muscle and ligaments. This can allow optimal room for the baby to grow and move into an appropriate position. It has been researched that chiropractic may help to reduce the probability of having a breech baby and assist with safer, easier birth (1). 

As the belly gets bigger and the centre of gravity is modified, the lumbar curve increases and can result in lower back discomfort. Research suggests that optimal nerve system function through normal spine and pelvic movement, allows the body to better adapt to those changes and may help such discomfort (2)(3).

2.      Benefits of Chiropractic care during birth

The pelvic floor muscles are an important layer of muscles stretching like a muscular trampoline from the front to the back of your pelvis. The contraction of those muscles has two major functions: It provides support for the internal organs and assists the control of the opening of the bladder, bowel, and uterus.

During the birth process, the relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles also plays an important role in the guidance of the baby’s head down the birth canal. Throughout pregnancy and childbirth, the excess of stress and increased abdominal pressure can result in weakness or damage to those muscles. Although, we know that great ability to control the contraction and relaxation of this particular group of muscles is a key factor for an uncomplicated vaginal delivery and prevent post-partum urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse.

 The conclusion of a recent study conducted in New Zealand suggests that “pregnant women who received chiropractic care had a greater ability to relax their pelvic floor muscles at rest (4). Other research findings showed evidence of a 25% to 31% reduction of labor time for women who seek chiropractic care versus those who don’t (5)(6). 

If you know a pregnant mumma out there who would benefit from chiropractic care during her pregnancy, share the word! We would be honoured to look after her or help her find a chiropractor in her local area. 

Dr. Julie

 References

1. Chiropractors and midwives: a look at the Webster Technique. Ohm J Midwifery Today Int Midwife. 2001 Summer; (58):42.

2. Wang S.M., DeZinno P., Fermo L. Complementary and alternative medicine for low-back pain in pregnancy: a cross-sectional survey. J Altern Complement Med. 2005;11(3):459–464 Complementary and alternative medicine for low-back pain in pregnancy: a cross-sectional survey.

3. Wang SM, DeZinno P, Fermo L, William K, Caldwell-Andrews AA, Bravemen F, Kain ZN J Altern Complement Med. 2005 Jun; 11(3):459-64.

4. Haavik H, Murphy BA, Kruger J. Effect of Spinal Manipulation on Pelvic Floor Functional Changes in Pregnant and Nonpregnant Women: A Preliminary Study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2016 Jun;39(5):339-347. DOI: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2016.04.004. Epub 2016 May 6. PMID: 27157677.

5. Fallon J.M. Chiropractic and pregnancy: a partnership for the future. ICA Int Rev Chiropr. 1990;46(6):39–42. 

6. Fallon J.M. Textbook on chiropractic & pregnancy. Arlington, VA: International Chiropractic Association; 1994: 52, 109.