Chiropractic care is essential for the pregnant woman.  During the course of pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes many changes biochemically and structurally which can create postural strain and neck and back pain.  The mother's spine and pelvis undergo many changes and adaptations to compensate for the growing baby and risk of interference to her nervous system is increased.  Chiropractic care helps to normalize nervous system function for both mother and baby and allows for the best pregnancy possible.

Fifty percent of all women complain about low back pain during pregnancy.  This is in part, due to ligament laxity and the protruding abdomen.  Chiropractic can help relieve the discomfort many women experience during pregnancy, therefore, is an important component of prenatal care that can make both pregnancy and delivery easier.

Another important reason for Chiropractic care throughout pregnancy is to help establish balance in the mother's pelvis.  Imbalance in the mother's pelvis can compromise her pelvic opening, resulting in a less than optimum passage for the baby.  Williams Obstetrics Text tells us that, "Any contraction of the pelvic diameters that diminish the capacity of the pelvis can create dystocia (difficulty) during labor."  They further state that the diameter of the woman's pelvis is decreased when the sacrum is displaced.  Many patients report that their deliveries while under Chiropractic care are faster and more comfortable than during prior pregnancies without Chiropractic care.  Dr. Per Freitag, MD, a well known orthopedist, conducted a hospital study that incorporated Chiropractic adjustments during the patient's pregnancies.  The study concluded that the need of the Chiropractic patients for pain killers during delivery was reduced by half.

Some women that have spinal imbalances can develop imbalances in their pelvic muscles and ligaments.  This can affect the way the uterus is supported.  Unequal ligament support of the uterus can put torque on the uterus reducing the maximum amount of room for the developing baby.  This is called intrauterine constraint.  In some cases, this constraint restricts the baby's positions during pregnancy and may prevent him/her from getting into the best possible position for birth.  This is known as the "breech position".

One of the latest developments in Chiropractic prenatal care is a method of helping women with breech presentations.  Developed by the late Larry Webster, D.C., of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, chiropractors are able to release stress on the pelvis of the pregnant woman and cause relaxation to the uterus so the baby will turn naturally.  Dr. Webster stated that the Webster Breech Technique "is up to 94% successful in turning babies in utero so they can be delivered easily."

Dr. Bob is I.C.P.A. certified in the Webster Technique and has been successful using the Webster Technique in his office.  Please read what one happy mom had to say when her baby was successfully turned from the Breech position.

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