Is Chiropractic Safe for Pregnant Women?"
Chiropractic care is safe for both the mother and baby throughout pregnancy. That being said, pregnant women do merit special care when adjusting.
First off, the sooner you let your Chiropractor know you are pregnant, the better. This allows the Chiropractor to change their technique to the needs of pregnancy. If you are pregnant and you or the Chiropractor don’t know yet, the majority of Chiropractic techniques can not harm the baby. In the first trimester, the mother’s bony pelvis and the amniotic fluid protect the baby. So no matter the technique applied, within reason, the baby is safe.
Some techniques should be avoided as the baby develops past the first trimester. Any adjustment that puts extra twisting or torsion on the lower spine and pelvis should not be done. This is a cautionary measure due to the presence of a hormone called Relaxin.
Relaxin is released during pregnancy to help prime the mother’s body for the birthing process. This involves making the pelvis more flexible and gaining more range of motion. Twisting adjustments put strain and stress on the pelvic muscles and ligaments. This results in abnormal biomechanics.
There are techniques and protocols designed specifically for pregnant women. The most well-researched and clinically successful technique is the Webster Technique. Regarding the mother, the Webster Technique can help:
Reduce disruptions to her Nerve System
Prepare the pelvis for an easier pregnancy and birth
Remove tension in the ligaments that support the uterus
Improve maternal function (labor and delivery)
Regarding the infant, the Webster Technique can help:
Reduce disruptions to the mother’s Nerve System which allows for better baby development
Balance the mother’s pelvis, which allows for greater room for the baby to develop without restrictions
Offer the baby room to move into the best possible position for birth
Decrease the potential for a difficult or stalled labor.
