[MNHall]

Sorry, I wanted to edit my topic to include this is re: malpositioned babies...not sure if that matters for chiro patients...maybe you can help regardless! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br><br>
I'm 11 weeks and my OB said he did recommend seeing a chiro in my pregnancy. But, he thinks I'm probably okay to wait til 6-7 months, since I don't experience pain during pregnancy, but I've had troubling in the pushing phase, with both kids. I'm totally okay with waiting til 3rd trimester, but I wanted to hear from others who have visited the chiro during pregnancies.<br><br>
The reason I'd like to go is because my c/s baby was 11 hours of induced labor (this could be my mistake!!!!!), followed by 2 hours of pushing a baby that was not ready to be pushed (again, NOW I know this too was a mistake)! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad"> Anyway, turns out, he was still facing my right hip, never started the rotation part of the decent. Was he stuck? Or did he just not start the decent since he was still sort of high? I don't know.<br><br>
Anyway, my VBAC baby, I labored for 5 hours, natural labor and again, baby was facing my right hip. After 90 minutes of pushing, I started fearing the clock because I was approached for a c/s after 2 hours in my previous birth, so getting close to that 2 hours scared me...so I agreed to the epidural so the OB could manually turn my baby and get her positioned better...then she came out (with a lot more assistance). This time I at least went into labor on my own and only pushed when "I" felt the need. So, I had that going for me. But still, baby facing my hip...was she "stuck" like that or had she not just rotated as part of her decent through the birth canal? I dunno!<br><br>
So, this time, I want to do anything and everything I can. Spinning babies is already bookmarked and I'm getting ready to do a nice hard core research on there. But, from some reading, I feel like since my babies were both "malpositioned" the same, maybe I have a hip misalignment issue that needs to be addressed. And maybe if that's addressed, my babies will be more likely to decend and rotate before 2 hours!?!?!<br><br>
Input from anyone?

 

[sharr610]

I've only had one, but working towards a VBAC here soon. I started chiro at about 16 weeks and have been going every other week since then(I'm now 34 weeks). I haven't had major discomfort, but like you, I want to be sure that things are aligned properly for birth. In my opinion, the sooner the better. It helps you develop a relationship with your practitioner, helps you start to feel the things that are being adjusted, and gives your body time to settle into the adjustment.<br><br>
As things get closer, I'll probably start going weekly, just to make sure we are all aligned perfect for a great birth. Good luck!

 

[shenanegans]

I would think from about 6 months on would be good. I am thinking about going for the first time because my babe just flipped into the breech position (I am 31 weeks now) In my last pregnancy my son flipped breech at 34 weeks and then back down at 36 but I would rather know the baby is in a good spot! I will go for some acupuncture too.

 

[AustinMom]

In short (which I have a feeling this won't be as I'm kinda wordy) Chiro care (specifically Webster Technique) basically helps to align the pelvis under the spine correctly. Also, the two ligaments on the back of your pelvis surrounding the sacrum are what expands during pregnancy, labor and birth. One may be more stetchy than the other. Mine is. I started Chiro care at about 16 weeks, am now 25weeks. As far as how often you go, it depends on how long you "hold" your adjustment. For instance, if you go in get adjusted, but in a week, it's back to it's original place before the adjustment, you should go weekly. The thought of going early helps your body have more time to prepare for correcting itself and "get used" to the correct position.<br><br>
Our first son was asynclitic, and now we are HBACing. Turns out he was malpositioned on the side that needed correction. So yes, this could be the circumstance for you. But even if it's not, it helps baby get into best position and helps you be as "open" as possible. I'd find a chiro who is trained in Webster's Technique, and one that won't mind seeing you in early labor, as that's the most optimal time to get adjusted, as it's closest to when the baby is going to be born.<br><br>
You may want to look into Arvigo Massage too, I'm not sure how popular it is in your area, but my MW does it, and it helps with pelvic alignment, and uterus alignment. So that will only compliment the chiro care.<br><br>
Happy Birthing!

 

[sattygirl99]

With DD, I started going around 25-28 weeks. She was **** malpositioned (facing my right hip) even with that but I think she would have been fine being born vaginally (she was my vbac ripped away from me at the last moment, literally).<br><br>
I've never stopped seeing my chiro. Now, I do have discomfort and my SI joints don't stay put, pregnant or not. I was able to go down to once a month visits for a while but now that I am pregnant again, I really need to go in more often. The last time I was there, she worked on my round ligaments to make enough room for the baby to move forward and get the heck off of my back! It worked wonders and now I'm even feeling more kicks and movement than I was.<br><br>
Personally, there is no 'wrong' time to start going. Chriopractic is all about total body care. The earlier you go, the better, IMO. The earlier in pregnancy you go and ensure your spine is properly aligned, the better you'll feel, the better baby will grow and the less likely that baby will be malpositioned. Be sure though, to see a chiropractor who is trained in the webster technique.<br><br>
I saw my chiro for the first time this pregnancy the week I got my positive (so I was 3.5 maybe 4 weeks pregnant as I got my positive pretty early) and have had to switch to weekly visits now because I'm midway through pregnancy and the weight is getting to my back. But really, chiropractic is all good as long as you are seeing a provider who knows what they are doing... Not all chiropractors are alike though so choose carefully!<br><br>
Oh and get your baby adjusted when they are born too! Even the gentlest birth can cause trauma to the upper cervical area and can affect sleep, mood, colic, digestion, feeding and tons of stuff. DD was adjusted when she was 2.5 days old and maintains a once a month adjustment. It's amazing, I can tell when she needs it, if her sleep gets out of whack or something.

 

[CherryBomb]

I went off and on until about 32 weeks, then started going regularly. Dd2 had been OP and asynclitic and wound up being a cbac, so I was really concerned with making sure dd3 was well positioned. She wound up being perfectly positioned and the difference it made in my labor was amazing. I wasn't even sure if I was in "real" labor because it just didn't hurt that much, but I was 7cm when I got to the hospital <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol">

 

[cairomama]

I had a breech in my first pregnancy and went to the chiropractor at 36 weeks and the baby didn't turn. I had a c/s for breech.<br><br>
I went to the chiro from 20 weeks on (when she was identified as breech) with my VBAC baby. She stayed breech and I had an ECV at 36.5 weeks. The version worked and I continued chiro care until I gave birth 3 weeks later in a very easy VBAC. Even though chiro care didn't flip my baby I think it made the ECV easier to perform and then made my birth easier.<br><br>
Next time, I will start chiro care when I start TTC.<br><br>
I think the earlier, better. If you have had two babies with the same malpositioning problem, I would start chiropractic care asap.

 

[sgmom]

I had a 26 hour, induced labor with my first. Pushed for 5.5 hours, and ended up with a c/s. She WAS OA during the pregnancy and labor, but turned OP towards the end of labor. There were SO many things I could have done differently, had I educated myself better.<br><br>
This time (I was 39 weeks yesterday) I decided to see a chiro on a more regular basis. However, MY choice was to wait until closer to labor, so I didn't run thin on the 12 "free" appointments per year that medical allowed me. And in my case, I am THRILLED that I did.<br><br>
My left SI joint was completely seized up, I was having problems between my shoulders, my neck was way out (and apparently neck alignment can directly affect the pelvis), I was suffering HORRIBLE pubic bone pain (SPD), my tailbone hurts... basically I was just an absolute WRECK.<br><br>
I've seen her three times in the last couple weeks, and am now seeing her twice a week until the baby is born (or more if I have to). The last 2 appointments have proven to reduce the majority of all the pain I was suffering, as well as helping the baby get into a better birthing position. I've noticed a HUGE change in not only my pain, but the shape of my belly and signs that labor might be impending.<br><br>
If there is nothing wrong throughout your pregnancy, I don't think it would be as important. But in my case, I NEEDED this "cluster" of adjustments towards the end, to aid in a successful VBAC. I fear what might have happened, had I not decided to wait until the last few weeks for my adjustments.<br><br>
As for turning a breech baby, there are SO many things you can do that don't include chiropractic care. Positioning (inversions) have proven to help, and my yoga instructor (who also specializes in natural health therapy) SWEARS by certain herbs. We've had a few breeches in our prenatal yoga class, and she helped to turn all of them, so I fully believe that there's hope for a VBAC with turning a breech baby.<br><br>
And A BIG FAT YES to Spinning Babies!! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumb.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbs up">

 

[SublimeBirthGirl]

It's never too early for the chiro. I've been going since my early 20s and both my kids have been adjusted since they were babies. My 2nd was just a day old. No reason to wait!