Chiropractic and Pregnancy

You might have noticed that chiropractic care is becoming an important part of birth preparation for many pregnant women these days. Chiropractors have actually cared for pregnant women for many years but more recently we’ve had a shift with increased interest in natural birthing in an effort to avoid c-section. If we want to understand how chiropractic contributes to a better birth, we have to look at the biomechanics of mom and baby throughout the pregnancy. 

As the pregnancy progresses, the mothers weight increases which causes a shift in the center of gravity outward and natural postural changes. The ligaments that support the pelvis relax thanks to the aptly named hormone relaxin. This ligament laxity, all be it necessary for birth, adds instability to all the joints of the body including the spine. These hormonal and structural changes can lead to spinal and pelvic misalignment and the lower back pain many women experience during pregnancy. Lower back pain, in and of itself, is a burden to a woman’s daily function and quality of life. However, the misalignment of the spine and pelvis have a far more crucial consequence to a mother and her developing baby.

In chiropractic, these misalignments are called subluxations. These insidious blockages cause stress overload to the mother’s nervous system. During pregnancy, when a mother’s body systems are basically functioning for two, any interference to the nerve transmission supporting their function can be detrimental to her health and well-being, as well as the growing baby’s. Reducing this nerve system stress is a key ingredient for normal bodily function.

Another effect of spinal and pelvic misalignment throughout pregnancy is a condition imposed on the baby called intrauterine constraint. The mother’s pelvis has various key ligaments attached that support her uterus. As the baby grows, their role becomes increasingly important. If her pelvis is balanced during pregnancy, the uterus will be supported symmetrically. This allows the baby plenty of room for movement in utero and provides it the opportunity to develop free of constraint. Conversely, if the woman’s sacrum (the major triangular bone in her pelvis) is out of alignment, it will affect the alignment of her entire pelvis. Misalignment of the pelvis will create an uneven pulling effect on the uterine ligaments, which explains why some women feel sensitivity on one side more than the other. Intrauterine constraint can create torsion in the uterus, limiting available space for the developing baby. When a baby presents breech or posterior, it often is the result of an imbalance in the mother’s pelvis, forcing the baby to assume a compromised position. 

The body’s intelligence wants the easiest route out for the baby. If mother’s biomechanics are compromised, obstetric interventions are more likely to be recommended and implemented.

Fortunately, today’s parents are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of the mother’s pelvic biomechanics throughout pregnancy. Giving it due attention will not only result in a more comfortable pregnancy, but will optimize the baby’s developing systems in utero and contribute toward achieving optimal fetal positioning for a safer and easier birth for both mother and baby.