Chiropractic care for pregnancy

[1love4ever]

Hi, just wondering if a chiropractor normally does anything different when they have a pregnant patient? What kinds of things do they normally do? My chiro does not seem to know anything about care during pregnancy, just does adjustments like usual. Just curious because I have no idea! I'm 29 weeks if that makes any difference:)

[cameragirl]

Yes and no. At the beginning, the adjustments are much like they always are. My chiropractor prefers to not adjust my upper and lower back on the same day, though. Later on, they can use a drop table that allows you to lay on your stomach without any weight on your belly. In the third trimester they will likely start working on pelvic stability to help with the baby's position and to make birthing easier.

[1love4ever]

Yeah his table has a part that drops down to make room  for my belly so I can lay on my back.

So they actually do things to make birth easier?  How do they do that, and does it have a name or anything so that I could mention it to him next time to see what he has to say?

[Erin77]

I had some chiropractic work done before I got pregnant and I LOVED the heating pads and electrical stimulation that my chiro would do. When my back and hips started to ache horribly in my 8th month, I was excited to go to the chiropractor again... only to find that the heat and electrical stim were contraindicated for pregnancy. All he did were same lame manual adjustments that didn't help. Just FYI, your mileage may vary!

[cameragirl]

Actually, heating pads are probably okay as long as you don't turn it on super hot and stay there for a long time. It isn't enough to raise your core temp if you use heating pads on low or medium.

TENS is kind of iffy. Some will using it during the whole pregnancy, others recommend it only in the last trimester. It was a life-saver for me in my last trimester when I couldn't sleep because of the lower back spasms. It cut the pain out long enough for me to get sleepy, and then I could take off the pads and get some sleep. It also has use during labor and delivery, but midwives are more likely to welcome them than OB's.

With DD, I saw the same chiro I had seen off and on since I was a young child. Now I see his daughter, who graduated a few years ago. She is more conservative with treatment during pregnancy, especially the early months.

Btw- they can also be a great resource for exercises to help you during pregnancy and delivery. They can also help you learn how to keep your posture, sit right at your desk, etc. I dropped physical therapy after awhile for hand issues, because the therapist admitted they don't do anything a chiropractor couldn't.

[akind1]

Adjustments were the same for me until I became uncomfortable on my stomach. He uses a slightly different technique now (involves sitting on the edge of the table and leaning back) now. There is also more focus now on good hip alignment and what not. it really has been great for me - I go just once every two weeks.

[MN BabyDust]

I found a chiropractor who has extra experience with pregnant women. Not sure what another would do, but mine usually adjusts my pelvis, lower back and sometimes neck. The pelvis is most likely to shift in a funny way since the hormones are making the joints relax and expand in preparation for birth. She also works the round ligaments if they are out of whack. The pelvis and round ligaments work is supposed to not only make my body more in line and less sore, but also make extra room for baby to promote a good birthing position (get the babe head down and stay that way.) She's also been a wealth of knowledge about natural birth and stretches and other preparations.

[L'lee]

I first started visiting a chiropractor during my last pregnancy because of back pain. I found her on the ICPA website: http://icpa4kids.org/Find-a-Chiropractor/

That's a good resource if you need to find a chiro or want one who specializes in kids and pregnancy.

I think that aside from helping deal with back pain, chiro is supposed to help open your whole abdominal area and make it easier for the baby to move and making it more likely that he/she will be in an optimal position for labor. Also, some chiros are trained to turn breech babies. You can talk to them about exercises, too.

[chiroworx1nc]

Hey i'm a chiropractor's assistant so any questions you may have i sent you a link to my email and website.

[1love4ever]

MN BabyDust your chiro sounds amazing I wish I had one like that!  I live in a small and very conservative town and everyone who knows I'm seeing a chiro says "dont see those quacks during pregnancy, all they do is mess people up anyway" or something to that effect.  I know this chiro has been in town for quite some time and I seriously doubt he has had many pregnant patients and I know he has not had special training or extra experience because there is such little demand for it around here!