Chiropractic Advice For Pregnancy

Weight gain, bloating and nausea are the most common problems faced by women during pregnancy. But the joy and beauty of motherhood can make you forget all these pains and sufferings.

Many new mothers confirm that the muscle strain is unbearable and also troublesome. Weight gain is very common during pregnancy. This accompanied by increased stress on the body due to baby inside, can cause a lot of discomfort. Recent studies have shown that more than fifty percent of women tend to complain of pain in the lower back during the later stages of pregnancy. The main reason being, in the later stages of pregnancy, pressure caused by baby’s head falls on women’s back, legs and buttocks.

Dr Jerome McAndrews of American Chiropractic Association states that due to the presence of baby in the womb during pregnancy, the centre of gravity of women shifts towards pelvis thereby increasing the pressure on her joints. The posterior section of women has more depth than a man to enable her to carry the baby. In spite of this body structure, women experience great stress on their pelvis during their pregnancy. Dr McAndrews explains that as the baby grows in size, further weight is displaced on her thus leading to twist in the curvature of her back wherein more stressed is put on her spine. In order to make up for these changes, the curvature of upper portion of the spine also increases.

It is very common that hormones get released during the time of pregnancy in order to relax the ligaments attached to the pelvic bones. These natural changes occur with a view to adapt the growing baby. However, these changes may lead to postural imbalances in which women may be subject to uncoordinated slips and falls.

What can be done?

Dr McAndrews and ACA have put forward few recommendations in order to relieve women from discomforts during pregnancy.

• Proper exercise can help in strengthening your muscles and avoid uneasiness. Minimum exercise including mild stretches is to be done at least three times a week. Even though you are not used to exercising, it is high time you take up some physical activity by consulting your doctor.

• Stationary exercises like walking, swimming and cycling are advisable as they do not involve any bouncy movement and are also harmless. Jogging is also harmless for women who were devoted runners before getting pregnant. However, it needs to be done under the strict surveillance of a doctor.

• Whatever be the exercise routine you have adopted, make sure that you do it on a flat surface in order to avoid any slips or falls. Also be sure that your heart rate is under control and does not exceed 140 beats per minute at any given point of time. It is also important that you do not do any workout continuously beyond 15 minutes. Avoid exercising the moment you notice any of these symptoms- vaginal bleeding, dizziness, nausea, weakness, blurred vision or increase in heart palpitations.

• Avoid heels and prefer only flat shoes. Heels not only cause inconvenience but create imbalances in your posture and cause shaky moments while walking. This is true especially in the later stages of pregnancy.

• You need to be careful while picking up children or heavy objects. Never bend from your waist, always bend from knees and avoid turning your head while lifting heavy objects. If possible keep away from picking up heavy objects.

• Try to lie on your left side while sleeping. This position ensures smooth and uninterrupted blood flow and helps your kidneys to wash out unwanted waste from your body. Remove pressure off your lower back by placing a pillow between both your knees. You can make use of a body pillow or pregnancy wedges if required.

• If you are an employee and your job needs you to sit before a system for long hours, then place your system in such a way that the top of the screen is below your eye level. Avoid sitting in one place continuously and place your legs on some elevation. If possible, take frequent breaks and every half an hour and take a small walk.

• Try to have some healthy snacks every 4 hours and in-between your main course. This keeps nausea off and prevents hunger. Healthy snacks include crackers, yogurt, bland foods high in carbohydrates and proteins. Morning sickness is another most common symptom that can occur anytime. So, ensure you keep some saltines with you.

• Folic acid supplements are highly recommended during pregnancy. These help in preventing neural tube birth defects similar to spina bifida. A minimum intake of 400 micrograms is recommended. Few doctors prescribe this to women who have given birth to children with similar deformities earlier. However, doctor’s advice needs to be taken before consuming this.

• Make sure you give your body proper rest. Don’t let your professional and personal life dominate you. Lie down and rest in case your feel tired and place your feet on some elevation at least for some time whenever you relax.


How can Chiropractic care help?

Consult your chiropractic doctor even before you become pregnant. This helps them in identifying any imbalances in the pelvis or for that matter any other region of the body. Timely advice can help you overcome discomforts during pregnancy or other neuro-musculoskeletal problem post delivery.

Several pregnant women have realised that chiropractic treatment have made them free from lower back pain which is most common during pregnancy. Latest studies have found that spinal manoeuvring does not cause any harm to the pregnant mother or her child. Chiropractic is a completely non-drug, non-surgical approach which is helpful to women who try to keep away from medication. Chiropractic doctors also offer several valuable suggestions on diet, exercise and ergonomic that helps in overcoming uneasiness during pregnancy.

Chiropractic care is also beneficial post childbirth. Two months post delivery, body gets back to its normal state. The ligaments that have relaxed during pregnancy begin to tighten. This is the perfect time for solving problems experienced during pregnancy due to improper lifting of heavy weights. More over this is the perfect time for getting issues related to muscle tension, headaches, rib discomfort, and shoulder problems as the upper and lower spine try to become normal.