Firstly, seeing a pregnancy chiropractor is usually safe and effective in relieving tension and managing pain. Nonetheless, we recommend speaking to your doctor first before seeing a pregnancy chiropractor. Once your doctor gives you the green light, you can begin searching for a registered pregnancy chiropractor in your area. 

As one would expect, a pregnant woman can experience back, hip, or joint pain as her body changes and adapts. Not only can a pregnancy chiropractor help relieve tension on that front, but it can also establish pelvic balance. This can provide the baby with much-needed space and help with faster and easier delivery of the baby. On the other hand, a misaligned pelvis can be restrictive on the space available for the growing baby.

A study has found that 50% of pregnant women will feel back pain at some point during their pregnancy. Moreover, up to 75% may feel back pain during labor. However, only 21% of pregnant women with back pain seek consultation with their medical doctor. Although the pain is bearable for most, for the reasons discussed already, it’s always a good idea to seek advice. That advice may lead you to see a pregnancy chiropractor that will aim to minimise or relieve the discomfort. The same study has in fact found that 75% of women that saw a pregnancy chiropractor found relief from pain.

At Papakura Chiropractic, we have experienced professionals specialising in pregnancy chiropractor care. We make it our mission to make you feel as comfortable and confident as possible. An initial consultation is the best way to understand what we do, how you’re feeling, and how we can help. From there you can decide whether to go ahead with adjustment appointments or decide to seek alternative options.

Most women experience an increase in pain and discomfort as the pregnancy progresses. That is the first sign for you to seek a pregnancy chiropractor to help you on your journey. When it comes to physical signs of pain, you may experience anything from:

• Lower back pain
• Hip pain 
• Round ligament or pubic symphysis pain
• Sciatic nerve pain

In addition, you may also seek help from a pregnancy chiropractor if you are experiencing nausea and vomiting. By restoring nervous system function, seeing a pregnancy chiropractor may help reduce nausea and morning sickness that comes with it. Moreover, you may also experience a reduction in symptoms like heartburn, constipation, and other digestive problems linked with nausea.

It is also normal for a first-time mother, in particular, to be nervous about labour and giving birth. According to the American Pregnancy Association, first-time mothers that saw a pregnancy chiropractor regularly had 25% shorter labour on average. If you are worried, seeking help from a pregnancy chiropractor may lead to a smoother labor and birth experience. That is because you are ensuring that your body is correctly aligned, balanced, and optimised to give your baby as much room as naturally possible. 

Furthermore, some babies are positioned feet first in the uterus, in a position that is called a ‘breech baby’. For a natural birth, ideally, the baby should be positioned head first and if your baby is a breech baby nearing birth, a C-section is usually recommended. A pregnancy chiropractor is trained in the Webster Technique, which is used to turn a breech baby. Although not guaranteed, seeing a pregnancy chiropractor to turn a breech baby may prevent a C-section at birth.

Preparing your body for pregnancy can go a long way to minimise discomfort and increase confidence in the journey ahead. Therefore, the sooner you seek a pregnancy chiropractor, the better. 

We encourage you to begin visits even in the planning phase of having a baby. Nonetheless, even at the very end of your pregnancy, you can still benefit from seeing a pregnancy chiropractor. How you might ask? Here are some of the most common ways a pregnancy chiropractor can help along the journey: 

In the first trimester, many women will visit a pregnancy chiropractor due to heightened symptoms of nausea. Through spinal alignment, the aim is to get your nervous system functioning in optimal condition and keep hormones in balance. Furthermore, adjustments may help alleviate blockages in your digestive system that could be the source of nausea and bloating. 

The second trimester is when the body changes become more obvious and there is added stress on your lower back. A study found that approximately 50% of all pregnant women experience back pain during pregnancy. The same study also found that 75% of women who received pregancy chiropractor services found relief from pain. 

During the third trimester, the weight and pressure of a baby can cause significant pain and discomfort. While we already mentioned that care helps relieve pain, it’s also common to seek care for another important reason. If a baby is in a breech position, a pregnancy chiropractor can use the Webster technique to turn the baby. This technique has proven to be an effective way of turning babies in the right position without medical intervention.  

A pregnancy chiropractor can also help you regain your strength and flexibility post-pregnancy. It is certainly a good strategy for feeling confident and bouncing back stronger than before. 

A pregnancy chiropractor with experience, equipment, and specific techniques does indeed differ from regular chiropractic. Tailored pregnancy chiropractor services take into account the unique needs and considerations of a pregnant woman. 

Treatment is heavily focused on pelvic alignment and posture in order to address the changes in a pregnant woman’s body. Seeing a pregnancy chiropractor can aid in preparing the body for childbirth and ease the labour process. Focusing on appropriate pelvic alignment will help ensure there is enough room for the baby to grow during the pregnancy. 

A specialised pregnancy chiropractor will also be familiar with and able to safely apply the Webster Technique. During the final weeks of pregnancy, you want to ensure your baby is in the right position for delivery. If your baby is positioned feet first, then your pregnancy chiropractor may apply the Webster Technique to safely shift position. Otherwise, a C-section may be the best alternative for a safe delivery.

To safely perform the specific methods to treat a pregnant patient, your pregnancy chiropractor may require a drop table. A drop table is a unique chiropractic piece of equipment used to perform adjustments when necessary. The drop table is particularly useful when performing the Webster Technique to realign any musculoskeletal imbalances. 

Naturally, you would prefer someone who is experienced in dealing with pregnancy-related chiropractic treatment over someone with another specialisation. Luckily for you, at Papakura Chiropractor, you will always find a specialised and experienced pregnancy chiropractor at your service.

It is also worth mentioning that you should always talk with your primary care provider before seeking pregnancy chiropractor treatment. This is especially the case if you’re at risk of any complications. 

We understand that when looking for a pregnancy chiropractor, safety for both mother and baby is a concern for most. And rightly so, which is why we’ve narrowed down a few things you must consider before choosing your pregnancy chiropractor. Before we get into it, it’s important to note that you must consult your doctor before seeing a pregnancy chiropractor. 

Specialised training and certification is the main safety measure and should be a given for any pregnancy chiropractor you pick. The in-depth training on anatomical and physiological changes during pregnancy enables a pregnancy chiropractor to provide safe therapies. 

At our pregnancy chiropractor clinic, a thorough assessment is done at your initial consultation before any treatment. This evaluation consists of reviewing your medical history, assessing any potential hazards and discomforts, and postural examination. After analysing and discussing your initial consultation, only on your second visit will your pregnancy chiropractor commence treatment.

Another safety measure a pregnancy chiropractor will take is the availability of a special treatment table for pregnant women. This is a table that can adjust to a pregnant woman’s body to avoid unnecessary pressure on the abdomen. 

When it comes to comfort but also safety measures in place, open communication has an important role to play. Effective communication between the pregnancy chiropractor and the patient is essential at every stage. We’ve worked hard to offer an environment where patients feel safe expressing their concerns, asking questions, and making choices. Through gentle and modified techniques, we establish your level of comfort and develop a treatment plan tailored to you. 

Studies like this one have found that evaluation and treatment during pregnancy can be considered safe and effective. However, if you’re feeling any discomfort after seeing a pregnancy chiropractor, you should always contact your doctor immediately.