3 Key Reasons to Visit a Chiropractor During Pregnancy

The body changes in many ways during pregnancy to prepare for birth. Chiropractic care can treat the aches often associated with these changes plus it can lead to an easier delivery. Here are three main reasons why visiting a chiropractor during pregnancy is beneficial to you and your baby.

“Dr. Likins took exceptional care of my pregnancy-related back pain.”

1. Fewer Headaches

Women can often experience an increase in headaches during pregnancy. This is because the body changes its center of gravity to compensate for a growing belly. The change in posture causes a loss of cervical curve, which leads to headaches. Regular visits to a chiropractor during pregnancy helps keep the neck in line, reducing these common aches.

2. Less Back Pain & Back Labor

The changes your body experiences during pregnancy have a major impact on your back. As breast size increases to prepare for lactation, you may notice more upper- and mid-back strain. A growing belly also creates new back issues, because your center of gravity moves forward. This causes there to be a forward and downward pull on the low back. With this shift, the lumbar curve can also become more prominent, which strains the lumbar spinal joints. Your lower rib cage will also expand during pregnancy as your baby grows and moves in the womb, which can aggravate mid-back joints. Chiropractic care can relieve these backaches during pregnancy, leaving you more comfortable throughout the process.

3. Reduced Pelvic Discomfort

Another common problem during pregnancy that chiropractic care can treat is pelvic discomfort. There are many things that lead to this discomfort, including a shift in how you walk when pregnant and the release of the hormone, relaxin. Both of these changes cause aggravation of the pelvic joints along with other nearby joints, nerves and ligaments.

But making sure your pelvis is aligned isn't just for your comfort during pregnancy. A misaligned pelvis can make labor more difficult, because your baby may have a harder time getting into the right delivery position. Having a chiropractor keep your pelvis in line during pregnancy can lead to shorter labor times and allow you to have a non-invasive birth.

Learn More

There are many more benefits to visiting a chiropractor during pregnancy for you and your baby. Pregnant women may experience a reduction in preeclampsia, a reduced instance of dystocia and less incidence of postpartum depression. Chiropractic has also been known to help women increase their production of breastmilk and find more comfort while breastfeeding.

“By listening attentively to my concerns, Dr. Likins linked my digestive issues to alignment issues in my spine and was able to provide consistent relief for chronic nausea through chiropractic care.”

To learn how chiropractic care can help you during your pregnancy, set up a consultation with our team here.