Is Prenatal Chiropractic Care Safe?

This is a very common question. Remember chiropractic care is simply the process of adjusting or realigning your spinal cord (and the muscles and stuff that surround it) to lessen pain and promote health throughout the body. that being said, no greater care can be taken by expecting mothers during this time. The truth is, prenatal chiropractic adjustments can offer mothers MANY benefits including lower back comfort among other things.

How can chiropractic care help during a pregnancy

During pregnancy your body produces hormones to relax your ligaments; without these, your baby’s head would never be able to fit through your pelvis. But those hormones, combined with your gorgeously swollen belly, can leave you loose-limbed, sway-backed, and unusually clumsy, due to a rapidly lowering center of gravity (Look out below!). All of this can do quite a number on your spine.

Chiropractic care may be able to undo much of this damage and get your lower body in proper alignment for an easier birth. Some chiropractors also claim that chiropractic adjustments can reduce the likelihood of miscarriage, control morning sickness, and lower your risk of pre-term delivery. The chiropractor’s ability to realign and, in many cases, relax the ligaments and muscles in your pelvis has led to what is now known as the Webster Technique, a method that helps breech babies to turn themselves, naturally.

How safe is chiropractic care during pregnancy?

This question was asked on babycenter.com There were many helpful responses that may provide good information.

I am a chiropractic assistant and I am also 14 weeks pregnant with my first child. I get adjusted 1-2 times a month and feel great after my adjustment. In addition, we have some patients who were told by there doctors that they will never conceive because of spinal issues. After coming to our office 2-3 times a week on an average of 6 months they were able to get pregnant. The reason behind this is most likely because if their spine is out of alignment in the thoracic region 9 through their lumbar region 3, it is most likely pinching off the nerve supply to the patients reproductive organs, causing improper function. In short, chiropractic is very beneficial before, during and after pregnancy.
posted 02/29/2008

I go to a chiropactor monthly, and he has said that it is completely safe even during pregnancy. He said he has had women call him on their way to deliver to be adjusted. He said it aligns things and normally will make for an easier delivery. Some doctors recommend against it, but in most cases these are probably doctors that don’t believe in chiropractics at all. I say find a chiropractor, and talk with them about it.
posted 02/15/2008 by shrtlgs14

My Dr recommended that I see a chiropractor for some hip pain I was having. I left the idea alone until I started having really painful Sciatica. It was so painful that I couldn’t walk after getting out of bed. I went to one of the chiropractors that my Dr recommended & I couldn’t believe the results. He was very patient with me & explained everything before we started the first session. He told me it may also take away my headaches & indigestion. That same night I was able to sleep in my bed without any pain. My headaches have not returned & I have very minimal indigestion. The 2 best results from my experience so far has been no more sciatica & I can sit Indian style again (haven’t been able to do that in 6 years). I still have 11 weeks before my due date & plan to continue to see the chiropractor even after the baby is born. A friend told me that the chiropractor will be such a miracle worker that I would be willing to go back & pay him a second time. I can’t say they were wrong : )
posted 03/17/2012

Im 14 weeks with baby #2 I have a. Minor herniated disk in my cervical spine(neck) and in my lumbar region (low back) I go to a chiropractor on a regular basis at min. Once a month…not that i’m pregnant the pain is worse…my chiropractor is amayzing I get an adjustment, and instanly feel better usually feel great for a few weeks before i need another…..combining chiropractor work with prenatal massage will help wonders!!! Pluse there’s no nasty side effects or damage to the baby like some meds that doctors try to forcefeed us….hope it helps!!! I just got an adjustment today!!!
posted 05/14/2014 by darmygurl5930

Always be cautious, but get the answers you need to make the right choice for you.