By Dr. Suzanne Sacrey, DC, Chiropractor

Pregnancy and Pediatric ICPA Certification, Webster Technique Certified

Drawing on both my professional and recent personal experience, I want to write about the benefits of chiropractic during pregnancy. Of course, in my opinion everyone can benefit from chiropractic care, but it can be especially valuable when we look at the vast changes taking place in a women’s body during pregnancy.

As a mother’s weight increases, her center of gravity shifts outward changing her posture and adding stress to both the low back and the upper back, often resulting in pain. In addition, the ligament laxity necessary for birthing adds to instability in all of her joints, including her spine and pelvis.  With large ligaments anchoring the uterus to the pelvic bones, when there is instability or torsion in the pelvis it directly affects the uterus, compromises fetal positioning and the developing baby.

As the baby grows, the role of the ligaments becomes increasingly important. If her pelvis is in biomechanical balance during pregnancy, the uterus will be supported symmetrically. This allows the baby optimal room for movement in utero and provides the opportunity to develop free of constraint.

Chiropractic care is gentle and safe throughout pregnancy and focuses on balancing and supporting the pelvis and ligaments.  This effectively helps prevent breech positioning and can even assist the baby into proper position for birth if they are breech.  An International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) study showed that chiropractic care (specifically the Webster Technique) was successful in resolving breech presentations 92 % of the time. Recent studies also show that 84% of women under chiropractic care during pregnancy reported relief of back pain during pregnancy. Another benefit reported is a 24% reduction in labour times for their first pregnancy and a 39% reduction for second and third births. Seeking chiropractic care early in pregnancy and throughout increases the opportunity for the mother and baby to have a safer, easier more natural birth experience.

Photo Courtesy of Adrienne Thiessen and Gemini Visuals Creative Photography. Go to: www.geminivisuals.com