Prenatal Chiropractic Benefits?

[LilMommaR]

I'm curious about visiting a chiropractor to help with getting my body as ready as possible for my birth at the end of the year, specifically for getting my pelvis opened and aligned. I've never been to a chiropractor before, though, and I'm not sure what to expect. Has anyone had prenatal chiropractic treatments? If so, what was the goal of your treatments, and what did you think of the results?

[IndigoKoi]

I went to a chiropractor during my pregnancy. I had been to a chiropractor before when i was younger to treat my mild scoliosis and keep my spine in good health since I was in gymnastics. I went to the same chiropractor for my pregnancy, so I trusted him. I admit I was a bit nervous of how it would all work with a pregnant belly and I was worried that it might hurt the baby or something, but they have special tables that have parts that can drop down and there isn't pressure on your belly.

I initially went early on in my pregnancy because I began to have bad sciatic pain, and continued throughout my pregnancy to keep my pelvis in proper alignment which allows baby to have maximum amount of space and also helps when it comes time for labor and delivery. I continued going PP as well, because according to my chiropractor, since the hormone relaxin is still in your body for about 12 weeks PP, your joints are all loose and kind of pliable, so the treatments PP were to get my hips and pelvis back in alignment. I must say, my hips definitely went back to their original size quite quickly. I was in my pre-pregnancy jeans by 8 weeks pp.

All in all, I was very happy with my pre-natal and post-partum treatment and results. Just make sure you find a chiropractor that knows how to do pre-natal adjustments and that you trust them and feel comfortable with what they are doing and why they are doing it.

[etsdtm99]

i went to the chiropractor for the first time when i was 34 weeks pregnant with my 2nd child.. (now i'm 31 weeks with my 3rd) .. my DS was breech and that is why i went, he turned a couple weeks later (after near-daily chiro appts ) and in the end my labor was faster/easier than my first, though i didn't go into labor on my own (induced at 41 weeks), he was positioned perfectly.. this time i have been going to the chiro regularly the entire pregnancy.. my baby is breech again so we're doing weekly visits to hopefully avoid teh daily visits and get her into a good position.. i can feel the difference between my first (no chiro) and 2nd/3rd ..i feel MUCH better and more comfortable, less RLP and way way less BH ctx ..

[kitkat5505]

I went to the chiro through all of my first 3 pregnancies. I loved my first chiro (with babies #1 and #2). I think that made a huge difference in my second birth, I actually went in during labor and he helped loosen things and it lessened the pain a lot and that was my only baby that was positioned good enough to come out easily. The chiro I saw for #3 isn't as good and I'm not as comfortable with him so I didn't see him as much. The MW I saw last week says they have a chiro they recommend for pg women, especially ones that have had problems with malpositioned babies, so hopefully she'll be covered by my insurance and I can see her this pregnancy.

[nashvillemidwife]

I saw a chiropractor every week during my pregnancy (as I had been for years). I had Webster technique every week in the third trimester. My last adjustment was a week before she was born. She was born OP and asynclitic (facing the wrong way and her head cocked to the side).

[mizznicole]

Originally Posted by nashvillemidwife

I saw a chiropractor every week during my pregnancy (as I had been for years). I had Webster technique every week in the third trimester. My last adjustment was a week before she was born. She was born OP and asynclitic (facing the wrong way and her head cocked to the side).

Yep, unfortunately after all the time and money I spent at the chiro DS was OP as well. It did heal my SI pain, but didn't prevent poor positioning in my case.

[eastkygal]

My babe too was OP and head cocked. I went to the chiro all throughout pregnancy and was adjusted during labor. My baby was OP, and stuck that way. There was nothing the chiro could have done at that point. However, I have to say that if it wasn't for the chiro I would have been in tremendous pain all throughout the 2 and 3rd trimesters because of symphis pubis dysfunction. She kept me moving. I absolutely recommend the chiro for pregnancy. It is really a gift to any pregnant woman. Find someone familiar with the Webster technique and that adjusts families including pregnant women regularly. The ICPA website has a great search page.

My case was unique with cord wrapping and an 11 pound baby. I measured 45 weeks at 40. This problem was nothing to do with chiropractic.

[FireWithin]

I had major spd with my first two full term pregnancies. Turning over was difficult. Picking things up was difficult. Round ligament pain was difficult. sore back. Both boys were very poorly positioned.

This time I started going to a chiro who totally rocks with the Webster Technique. She makes adjustments and gives me yoga moves to do, stretches specifically for my tight areas, watching me practice and adjusting my body when necessary. She gives me tips on how to sleep, different sitting positions.

I am feeling awesome!!!! I am 7 months pregnant and sometimes forget that I am pregnant. The yoga moves have helped me be able to pick up my very sturdy 4.5 year old ago. I hadn't realized how much core strength was needed for picking up.

i've been going for 6 weeks.

I was going weekly, but am now doing so well that we dropping it to once every two weeks.

My only worry is that she is due with her first baby one month before me, so I might need to see someone else that last bit of time.

Even if the baby's positioning is poor, it has been worth my comfort and ability to be an active family member.

[porcelina]

I could have written your post at 16-18 weeks (in fact, I did -- you might find it in a search of this forum). I started seeing a chiro at around 20 weeks for both sciatic pain (which started early, around 7 weeks) and for positioning (first birth was OP). I finally decided that I want to do everything possible to help make this baby OA! I'm only 30 weeks now, so can't tell you the outcome, but it has definitely helped with my sciatic pain. Once after a trip and 2 weeks without adjustments, she told my my pelvis was about 1/2 inch out of alignment. Since then, I've been doing quite well. It's pretty pricey, even with insurance, since my copay is $25, but I feel like I have to at least try this.

[witchygrrl]

I had been seeing a chiro regularly before I conceived, so it was no big deal to continue going throughout my pregnancy. He did an awesome job keeping me pain free...I would get hormonal headaches that he was always able to fix with some neck adjustments, and kept my sciatic pain away too. After I had spent a day at the birth center in false labor, and was exhausted, he said he would be happy to adjust me and see if he couldn't help me go into labor. I went into labor 5 hours later! DD was born pretty quickly, in under 5 hours. And he gave her her first adjustment at 3 days old.

So yeah, I was very pleased with prenatal chiro, and I highly recommend it!

[LilMommaR]

Thanks!

Wow, thanks for all of the great feedback! I found a chiropractor in my area who specializes in prenatal care and the Webster technique, so I'm going to make an appointment with him and see how I like it. He seems to be very holistic and supportive of various natural parenting. My insurance pays for 24 visits per year, so I may as well give it a try! I know my body could use some fine-tuning.

[JudiAU]

I found it very helpful. I had a weird labor with my first and dialated fully without descent. I went to a chiro with my second and not only did he flip the breech (Webster- super impressed my midwife) but loosened the pelvis muscles. That, combined with the accupuncturist in the same office helped me to a great and natural birth. It was awesome.

[GreenMomPhD]

I went to a chiropractor for both of my pregnancies. My chirporactor has a special certification, DICCP, that means she has several extra years of training for pregnant women and children also. For both pregnancies, I had no back pain whatsoever, which I attribute to regular adjustments. I highly recommend a DICCP one if you can find them!