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 Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care is a safe and gentle approach to healthcare for the pregnant woman. Relief from symptoms associated with pregnancy such as lower back pain, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches, heartburn, and nausea can be managed without the use of drugs. In addition, Dr. Vivian Keeler is certified in the Webster Technique; which is designed to balance the pelvic structures and their associated muscles and ligaments. A balanced pelvis reduces the likelihood of uterine constraint which can cause the baby to be positioned incorrectly. By applying the Webster Technique, the constraint is resolved and often allows the baby to get into the optimum position for birth. For more information about Chiropractic care during pregnancy and beyond view theInternational Chiropractic Pediatric Association's Website.
You're braver than you believe. Stronger than you seem. And smarter than you think. ~Christopher Robin in Pooh's Grand Adventure
CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENTS
The adjustments are actually very gentle and pleasant. With light touch along the spine an experienced doctor of chiropractic can detect and correct misalignments using only very little force. The patient may be seated or may lie down comfortably on a table. There will be no pain and absolutely no harmful side effects. Remember it is not necessary to hear a “pop” to achieve successful results.
Chiropractic and Pregnancy:
Greater Comfort and Safer Births
Jeanne Ohm, D.C.
How can chiropractic add comfort?
Chiropractic care in pregnancy is an essential ingredient to your prenatal care choices. A large percent of all pregnant women experience back discomfort/ pain during pregnancy. This is due to the rapid growth of the baby and an interference to your body's normal structural adaptations to that growth.
Preexisting unnoticed imbalances in your spine and pelvis become overtaxed during these times. The added stresses lead to discomfort and difficulty while performing routine, daily activities. Chiropractic care throughout pregnancy can relieve and even prevent the common discomforts experienced in pregnancy. Specific adjustments eliminate these stresses in your spine, restore balance to your pelvis and result in greater comfort and lifestyle improvements.
Comfort for your baby, too.
As your baby develops, your uterus enlarges to accommodate the rapid growth. So long as the pelvis is in a balanced state, the ligaments connected to the uterus maintain an equalized, supportive suspension for the uterus. If your pelvis is out of balance in any way, these ligaments become torqued and twisted, causing a condition known as constraint to your uterus. This constraint limits the space of the developing baby. Any compromised position for the baby throughout pregnancy will affect his or her optimal development. Conditions such as torticollis occur because a baby's space was cramped in utero.
If the woman's uterus is constrained as birth approaches, the baby is prevented from getting into the best possible position for birth. Even if the baby is in the desirable head down position, often times constraint to the uterus affects the baby's head from moving into the ideal presentation for delivery. The head may be slightly tilted off to one side or even more traumatically, present in the posterior position. Any baby position even slightly off during birth will slow down labor, and add pain to both the mother and baby. Many women have been told that their babies were too big, or labor “just slowed down” when it was really the baby's presentation interfering with the normal process and progression. Avoidable interventions are implemented turing a natural process into an operative one.
Doctors of Chiropractic work specifically with your pelvis throughout pregnancy restoring a state of balance and creating an environment for an easier, safer delivery.
Preparing for a Safer Birth
Dystocia is defined as difficult labor and is something every woman wants to avoid. In addition to the pain and exhaustion caused by long, difficult labors, dystocia leads to multiple, medical interventions which may be physically and emotionally traumatic to both you and your baby. Some of these interventions are the administering of pitocin, the use of epidurals, painful episiotomies, forceful pulling on the baby's fragile spine, vacuum extraction, forceps and perhaps even c-sections. Each of these procedures carry a high risk of injury to you, your baby or both! However, all of these procedures used to hasten the delivery process can be avoided if delivery goes more smoothly to begin with.
When reviewing the obstetric texts, the reported reasons for dystocia are caused by pelvic imbalance and its resulting effects on your uterus and your baby's position. Chiropractic care throughout pregnancy restores balance to your pelvic muscles and ligaments and therefore leads to safer and easier deliveries for you and your baby. Additionally, the chiropractic adjustment removes interference to the nervous system allowing your uterus to function at its maximum potential. Published studies have indicated that chiropractic care does in fact reduce labor time.
We offer specific analysis and adjustments for your special needs in pregnancy. You and your baby's continued safety and comfort is primary in our care. This pregnancy, offer yourself the best! Include the many benefits chiropractic offers in your prenatal care choices. Call for your individual consultation. Give you and your baby the opportunity for a more comfortable pregnancy and a safer, easier birth!
Originally Published in I.C.P.A. Newsletter May-June 2002
References available on line at: www.icpa4kids.com/newsletter/references.html
Read these additional Articles on Chiropractic in Pregnancy:
Chiropractic Care in Pregnancy for Safer, Easier Births
Midwifery and Chiropractic: Bonding for Life
Birth - What are the philosophical options?
Natural Birthing
Find more about pregnancy here
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