Chiropractic treatment’s priority is to keep a person’s spine, discs, nerves, and skeletal structure in ideal alignment without requiring drugs or surgical interventions. Chiropractors work by adjusting the body’s joints to reduce stress, discomfort, and pain.
Depending on her weight when she becomes pregnant, a woman may gain as much as 40 pounds during her pregnancy. That weight gain, the fetus’ movement and growth within a woman’s body, and the pregnancy-related physical and hormonal changes experienced by a pregnant woman can have significant effects on a mother’s posture and physical comfort. In a nutshell, most pregnant women report aches and pains affecting their back, hips, and more. A chiropractor in SW Calgary can help.
Is chiropractic care in SW Calgary while pregnant safe?
All chiropractors are trained to support women who are pregnant, while many specialize in prenatal and postnatal care after having received specialized training and certifications. Chiropractic care while pregnant is safe, and — with the exception of some medical conditions which we’ll list below — there are no known contraindications for chiropractic treatment during pregnancy.
Many chiropractic clinics in SW Calgary routinely provide services to individuals and couples with infertility and wellness during pregnancy, including following referrals from doctors and other medical professionals. Chiropractors with particular interest in care during pregnancy will use equipment that adjusts to a pregnant woman’s body, and techniques that take into account her pregnancy. Chiropractors may also recommend safe exercises and stretches to perform during pregnancy to promote good chiropractic health at home.
When chiropractic care during pregnancy is not recommended
Any woman considering chiropractic treatment during pregnancy should receive clearance from their physician. There are some medical conditions that may make chiropractic treatment during pregnancy unsafe, including:
- Moderate to severe toxemia
- Vaginal bleeding
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Placenta abruption or placenta previa
If you have questions about whether chiropractic treatment is appropriate during your pregnancy, discuss that question with your doctor or a chiropractor in SW Calgary.
How can chiropractic care during pregnancy help Mom?
Some of the physical and hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy can affect a woman’s posture and physical comfort. Roughly half of pregnant women experience some back pain during pregnancy, as well as aches and pains in their hips. Those aches and pains and posture changes are often attributable to the fetus’ growth and weight gain, which causes the mother’s center of gravity to shift.
As many as 75% of women who have received chiropractic treatment during pregnancy report pain relief, increased comfort and health, and less troubling symptoms of nausea. Beyond pain relief, chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy help re-establish healthy and comfortable posture and alignment. Pregnant women benefit with the following pregnancy-related conditions may benefit from treatment at a chiropractic clinic in SW Calgary:
- Misaligned spine and joints
- Postural changes
- A protruding abdomen that can cause your back to curve more than usual
- Changes to your pelvis as your body anticipates labour
How can chiropractic care help the baby?
Chiropractic care not only helps with discomfort experienced by the mom-to-be during pregnancy, it can also help the fetus.
A misaligned pelvis can reduce the room available for the growing fetus and restrict its normal movement. This is a condition referred to as intrauterine constraint. Chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy can help correct that misalignment and reduce the risk of related birth defects.
A misaligned pelvis can also interfere with the fetus reaching its ideal position in advance of delivery — head down and facing the rear. To increase the opportunity for a natural and non-invasive delivery, chiropractic adjustments can help align the pelvis properly to help the baby achieve its own ideal posture.
If you are pregnant or hoping to become pregnant and are interested in the support of a chiropractic clinic in SW Calgary, ask your physician or support team for a referral to a chiropractor. Alternatively, reach out to a chiropractor near you to ask what specialized support they can offer while you explore fertility and growth through your pregnancy.