Chiropractic Care in Pregnancy

Pain and discomfort during pregnancy is common, however much of this discomfort can be helped with chiropractic care.

Chiropractic care is safe throughout pregnancy and we can help with conditions such as pelvic girdle pain (PGP), pubic symphysis dysfunction (PSD), round ligament pain and many other conditions not necessarily linked to pregnancy.

Care for Both Mother and Baby

Webster technique, combined with other gentle chiropractic techniques, aim to balance the pelvic muscles, bones and ligaments, including the pelvic floor.

This restores pelvic function to help with the physical demands of pregnancy as well as facilitate a smooth labour. Treatment is also safe during labour, but this is not always possible, so we often work with birth partners to provide basic techniques that can help mum through labour.

Chiropractic treatment can also optimise the available space that baby has in the uterus, allowing the baby to assume good positioning in pregnancy.

Baby assuming a head down position is important to promote a smooth birth process, as malpositioning such as a breech presentation is linked to an increase in birth interventions.

Chiropractic Techniques During Pregnancy

Many of the techniques that we use are appropriate for both pregnant and non-pregnant patients, but all treatments are much gentler during pregnancy.

This is due to the hormone relaxin, which increases the laxity of the pelvic ligaments to accommodate foetal growth. This means less force is required for treatment during pregnancy. Some treatment techniques are designed specifically with pregnancy in mind, such as the Webster Technique.

When a patient is required to lie on their front, we use a donut shaped pillow which allows the patient to lie in such a way, even when heavily pregnant.

Some treatments require the patient to lie on their back for short periods of time, which for some mothers needs to be avoided, but for the majority is safe.

A full history and examination will establish the safest and most effective treatment for each patient.

Post-Natal Treatment

The pelvis and pelvic floor are under intense physical stress during labour. Chiropractic treatment and exercises post birth can aid in recovery, providing support through the physically demanding time of motherhood and preparing for future pregnancies.