Entering motherhood: The wonderful role of Chiropractic during Pregnancy
When a woman falls pregnant she enters a new stage of her life that is no longer about herself but also focuses her care and attention towards the life of her unborn child. Everyone wants only the best for their children and the first step in this journey is that she inadvertently wants to take better care of her health. Her body will also remind her that things are changing and start slowing her down and focusing her attention towards what is happening on the inside. Chiropractic is one of the best ways to optimise this process.
Most people think about the obvious biomechanical changes that happens in a woman’s body when she growing a whole new person. Because of the increase in the size of the uterus, her centre of gravity will change and her pelvis will tilt, never mind the increase in hormones, stretching of ligaments and the weight she gains. But really, think about the fact that she has incredibly accelerated cell growth in her own body and also in that of her growing baby!
1. Intelligence and Connection
Chiropractic care ensures optimal connection between the brain and the body. Your brain regulates every process on the inside and outside and is especially important when it comes to adaptation and growth, which happens at a massive rate when you are pregnant. When the connection inside of us is better it will allow us to ‘tune in’ with ourselves and our instincts; which is all the more vital when you move towards motherhood.
2. Pelvic Alignment and Easier Birth
Your pelvis will change a lot in the time when you are pregnant. It will become more lax and movable from the very start of your pregnancy; which can cause havoc in your lower back and spine. Having a well aligned pelvis will help you through your pregnancy with more ease and allow for a much easier labour and delivery. A 1991 study showed a 24% reduction in average labour time for first-time mothers who received Chiropractic care, and 39% reduction for women who were delivering for the second or third time and another study shows that analgesics during delivery was reduced by half in pregnant patients under regular Chiropractic care.
3. The Womb
The broad ligaments of the womb attach to the pelvis. Very simply put, when your pelvis is rotated one way or the other, it causes a slight torsion and strain on your womb and makes it more uncomfortable for your baby to move. This means that your baby might end up in the much feared breech position, which makes the birth process much more complicated (but not impossible!). Look for a Chiropractor that is Webster Certified and is able to adjust your pelvis and uterus to allow for optimal movement of the baby.
It is always an honour to help families through this exciting time in the lives. Nothing is better than finding out a couple is expecting and then watching them go through the growth of their family and the meeting the whole new person that they have created!
Lizette Botha is registered with the ICPA (International Chiropractic Peadiatric Association) and has completed a variety of post-graduate courses in pregnancy and paediatrics and holds Webster certification. More importantly, she loves taking care of families!
Resources:
Fallon J. The Effect of Chiropractic Treatment on Pregnancy and Labor: A Comprehensive Study. Proceedings of the World Federation of Chiropractic, 1991:24-31
Henderson I. American Medical Association records released in 1987 during trial in U.S. District Court Northern Illinois Eastern Division, No. 76 C 3777, May, 1987