Your back is aching. The tension is rising in your shoulders. Both round ligaments are causing a stabbing pain in your lower belly. You feel like you’re waddling from pelvic pain and you most likely have to pee every five minutes. 

You’re probably thinking to yourself, ‘How in the world am I going to make it through nine months feeling like this?’ 

Guess what? You don’t have to! 

Would you believe me if I told you there was something that could help you get through pregnancy without pain and discomfort the entire time? This complete game changer is known as Prenatal Chiropractic Care. 

Why Prenatal Chiropractic Care? 

During pregnancy a woman’s body goes through many amazing changes. However, some of these changes can place a lot of added stress on the body, including a growing uterus, an ever shifting center of gravity, and increased pressure on the joints of the pelvis, hips, and low back. 

These developments can lead to spinal misalignments, or what we refer to as subluxations, causing distorted pelvic positioning and compromised nerves and blood vessels. In turn this can result in discomfort, swelling, and an impaired nervous system. 

What are the benefits of prenatal chiropractic care?

There are many amazing benefits to be reaped from chiropractic care. They include, but are not limited to: 

• Greater Comfort and Pain Relief: Chiropractic provides greater comfort throughout pregnancy, including decreased upper and lower back pain, round ligament pain, pubic symphysis pain, headaches, and many more common pregnancy ailments. 

• Labor Time: Reduces average labor and delivery times by 24% for 1st time moms and up to 39% for 2nd and 3rd time moms. 

• Fetal Position: Encourages optimal fetal position through proper pelvic alignment and decreased uterine tension. 

• Natural: Helps support a natural labor and delivery (if that’s in your birth plan) and can help prevent a c-section.

How do we adjust during pregnancy?

First, you might be wondering, ‘But Dr. Bethany how can I lay on my stomach for you to work on my back and pelvis?’ Don’t worry, we have that covered. In my practice, I utilize pregnancy pillows, which have a cut out in the middle to support you and baby. Many prenatal chiropractors utilize similar pillows, or have tables that allow the abdominal piece to drop out, making room for your growing belly while still feeling supported. 

Chiropractors use a special technique on pregnant woman called the Webster Technique. This involves a specific chiropractic assessment and adjustment to reduce interference to the nervous system and balances mom’s pelvis, muscles, and ligaments. This approach optimizes uterine function, allowing for a safer, easier pregnancy and birth.

I strongly believe everyone can benefit from chiropractic care. Prenatal chiropractic is extremely safe, effective, and can be used all the way from conception to delivery (and postpartum, but I’ll save that for another blog). It’s never too soon or too late to begin care, however in my experience, the earlier the better! 

You don’t have to accept pain and misery as a normal part of pregnancy. While it may be common, I promise you, it doesn’t have to be that way!

If you have any questions or would like more information on how care could benefit you and your growing family, please feel free to contact me at drbethany@thrivekcchiro.com. 

To find a Webster Certified Chiropractor near you, visit icpa4kids.org.  

Meet Dr. Bethany

Dr. Bethany Long is a Kansas City chiropractor specializing in women’s health, pre/postnatal care, pediatric care, and overall family wellness. To learn more about the services she offers and how she can help you, visit her website www.thrivekcchiro.com. To receive additional health and wellness tips, give her a follow on Instagram & Facebook!