Chiropractic care during pregnancy can not only improve musculoskeletal alignment and relieve areas of muscle tension, but it can also influence the quality of your birth experience. Studies show that women who suffered from low back pain during previous labors and then received chiropractic care in subsequent pregnancies reported significantly reduced low back pain in their subsequent labors.
Dr DeReuter has especially effective techniques for pregnant women. One such technique recognizes that the “wobbly” pregnant pelvis, especially the sacroiliac joint, needs to be stabilized. By the use of foam wedges (blocks) and special tables that accommodate mother and baby the pelvis is balanced. Using this low-force adjustment (the women’s own body weight does the work) is completely pain-free!
The uterus works best in a framework of ligaments and bones that are balanced and aligned. This allows the baby to travel more easily through the birth passage, avoiding long, difficult back labors and “failure to progress”, and reducing the incidence of cesarean section. Many women are advised incorrectly that they must put up with low back pain, nausea, and headaches of pregnancy. Through chiropractic care, however, women can experience relief from these so-called “normal” discomforts, and enjoy a healthier pregnancy and birth.
One of the latest developments in chiropractic prenatal care has been a method of correcting breech presentations in which the baby isn’t positioned properly for birth. Developed by the late Larry Webster, D.C., of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, chiropractors are able to release stress on the pregnant woman’s pelvis and cause relaxation to the uterus so the baby will turn naturally. Called the Webster Breech Technique, Dr. Webster stated that it is “up to 94 percent successful in turning babies in utero so they can be delivered easily.”
Please contact Dr. DeReuter to discuss this specialized care.
Common questions & answers regarding chiropractic and pregnancy:
Is chiropractic care safe in pregnancy?
Very safe and very sensible for both mother and baby.
Is it difficult to receive a chiropractic adjustment when pregnant?
Not at all. Chiropractors are trained in adjusting the spines of pregnant women and many chiropractic adjusting tables have special modifications for the pregnant figure.
How late in pregnancy is it possible to get an adjustment?
There really are no restrictions. Patients have received adjustments even during labor.
Can back pain be helped with chiropractic?
Chiropractic is not a treatment or therapy for back or spinal pain. However, with a chiropractic spinal adjustment, the body will be better able to heal its back and spinal pain, as well as many other health problems.
Do I have to have a problem in pregnancy to see a chiropractor?
Not at all. Chiropractic should be used as preventative maintenance. Periodic (monthly) spinal checkups during pregnancy should be as common as periodic weight checkups.
