Today’s guest post is courtesy of Aliena Davis, DC with Precision Chiropractic in southwest Fort Worth. She provides compassionate, inclusive, collaborative care for prenatal, postpartum, and pediatric clients – focusing on structural correction.
10 things you should know about prenatal chiropractic care
1. Purpose.
Most people rave about how getting adjusted reduced or eliminated their back pain during pregnancy, but the benefits extend even beyond that!
The purpose of chiropractic care during pregnancy involves maintaining pelvic alignment and spinal structure, which provides the optimal environment for the growing baby(ies)!
2. Selection.
Hopefully you were able to “shop” for a birth care provider that would support the type of birth you want and need – and the same should go for your chiropractor!
During pregnancy, it’s important to seek care from a practitioner who is Webster Certified because those practitioners have additional training in safe, effective care for pregnant patients.
3. Limitations.
While chiropractic care during pregnancy is AMAZING, everyone should understand that there are some limitations. In most states, the practice of obstetrics is outside the scope of practice for chiropractors (it certainly is out of our scope in Texas). What that means is that we are not going to be able to tell you the position of your baby, we certainly don’t deliver your baby, and we don’t turn your baby.
But wait! Everyone recommends chiropractic care when you have a breech baby!
This is true. But adjustments don’t physically turn your baby. Remember point #1: Purpose? By helping your pelvic alignment return to normal, stress and tension on the uterus is eased which in turn may allow the baby the space to turn on their own.
Side note – the practice of physically turning a baby is known as an External Cephalic Version and it must be performed by a skilled OB/GYN.
4. Timing.
Ideally, everyone enters into pregnancy with a perfectly aligned pelvis and maintains that alignment throughout pregnancy and beyond.
Unfortunately, not everyone is able to obtain chiropractic care pre-conception.
It’s never too late to start though! Whether you’re six weeks or six months pregnant, chances are that you’ll benefit from prenatal chiropractic care.
Maintaining pelvic alignment can provide an optimal environment for a growing uterus and the baby inside of it!
5. Safety.
No healthcare decision can be made without an analysis of the risks and benefits, and this one is no different.
However, chiropractors who are Webster Certified are well-trained in the best ways to provide safe, gentle, and effective chiropractic care to their pregnant patients.
6. Options.
Like all other healthcare decisions you make, it’s important to learn all of the options available to you! Does your chiropractor offer availability during labor? If so, what does that look like? How soon postpartum will they see you? Are they trauma informed – able to work WITH you, respect your boundaries, actively seek informed consent, and avoid your triggers or help you work through them when they’re encountered?
7. Education.
Many chiropractors who choose to focus on prenatal care are a wealth of knowledge about the anatomy and physiology of pregnancy, labor, postpartum, and everything in between!
Use that to your advantage. Learn about your body. Ask them questions!
8. After pregnancy.
Chiropractic care isn’t just for pregnancy. Care doesn’t stop with delivery. Find someone who is knowledgeable on postpartum issues – can they help you if pelvic floor issues like incontinence or painful intercourse arise? If you’re planning to nurse your child, do they know how to support you in that endeavor?
9. For babies.
Your prenatal chiropractor will likely also have some knowledge to share regarding pediatric chiropractic care. This topic deserves its own post, honestly, but a quick overview of the factors that can contribute to altered spinal structure in infants are: high intervention delivery (induction, forceps, etc), cesarean delivery, prolonged or difficult delivery, and even extremely fast deliveries.
10. Collaboration.
Last, but certainly not least, look for a prenatal chiropractor who values collaboration.
They should be able and willing to connect you with the resources you need at any time during your care with them. You don’t need a referral to see a chiropractor – even during pregnancy – and they can often be the ones to refer you for things like pelvic floor physical therapy, and other complementary treatments!
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To learn more about Dr. Davis, visit her website www.precisionchirofw.com . You can browse an informative blog, learn about the practice, and even schedule a complimentary consultation – all online!
Do you see a chiropractor while expecting? My best pregnancies have all been while regularly being adjusted by skilled chiropractors like Dr. Davis.
