Congratulations! You’re having a baby!
If you know you are pregnant, chances are you have also noticed your body changing in unexpected ways.
Perhaps you were prepared for nausea and the eventual baby bump, but there are other common physical changes that happen in pregnancy that you may not be prepared for.
Whether it is low back pain, sciatic pain, round ligament pain, or general discomfort, chiropractic is a gentle, simple and safe solution that will keep you comfortable throughout your entire pregnancy.
1. Relaxin is relaxing.
It sounds made up, but relaxin is a hormone your newly developing placenta releases in your body that helps relax tendons and ligaments in your pelvis and thin the cervix in preparation for birth.
As important as this hormone is to childbirth, your placenta begins secreting it months before you are due. This helps your uterus and surrounding tissues expand to accommodate the growing fetus.
The problem is, it can also begin relaxing the ligaments and tendons throughout your body. This is why gentle exercise is recommended for women rather than high impact workouts.
The relaxin hormone and looser joints are more prone to injury.
Fortunately, it also means gentle chiropractic techniques are super effective on pregnant women. Properly positioning the pelvis and low back, as well as other areas of the body, can be done using low force techniques rather than traditional chiropractic methods used on patients who are not pregnant.
2. Party in the front, pain in the back.
Combine relaxin hormones with a growing uterus, weight gain and a change in your center of gravity and you have a recipe for low back pain.
Many women find that as the fetus grows and their uterus expands, they experience sciatic pain as well as something known as round ligament pain. Since the sciatic nerve runs from the low back down to the pinky toes on either side of your body, pain, numbness, tingling, and discomfort can extend along the same path.
The round ligament connects your womb to your groin and stretches as the fetus grows. Round ligament pain often shows up around the second trimester and is described as a stabbing, sharp pain in your lower belly or groin area. Both conditions can be safely treated with chiropractic care.
Repositioning the pelvis and bones in the spine relieves the pressure on both the sciatic nerve and round ligament making it more comfortable to sit, stand and sleep.
3. A well-positioned baby makes for a happy delivery.
Sometimes the baby doesn’t get the memo that they need to be head-down for delivery. The Webster Technique is a chiropractic technique designed to gently position the pelvis, lower back, and round ligament to allow baby the best chance possible at turning on their own. Even if the baby is cooperative and awaiting arrival, the Webster Technique can properly position your body in preparation for delivery.
Having a baby is one of the most exciting and physically taxing things you will ever do. Fortunately, you don’t have to do it alone. Call Pure Wellness or schedule a consultation online and find out how we can help you have a more comfortable pregnancy.