"I'm Pregnant, Might an Adjustment Harm My Child?"
Whether you are pregnant or not, a properly applied chiropractic adjustment never harms, but always helps. Throughout pregnancy, specific chiropractic adjustments remove interference to the mother’s nerve system and balance the pelvis. Chiropractic care is safe for both the mother and baby throughout pregnancy. That being said, pregnant women do merit special care and consideration when adjusting.
First off, the sooner you let your Chiropractor know you are pregnant, the better. This allows the Chiropractor to modify their techniques to the needs of your pregnancy. Even if you are pregnant and you or the Chiropractor don’t yet know it yet, a chiropractic adjustment during the first trimester can not hurt the baby. In the first trimester, the baby is protected within the mother’s bony pelvis and within the amniotic fluid. So no matter the technique applied, within reason, the baby is safe.
Another thing to consider is a unique hormone called Relaxin. Relaxin is present in all women but increases if conception occurs. Relaxin gives pregnant women a greater range of motion, specifically in the pelvic region. This helps prime the mother’s body for the birthing process.
Relaxin increases during the first trimester, decrease slightly during the second trimester and increases again during the third trimester. It increases again 2 days after birth and is present in ligaments up to 5 months after birth.
The presence of Relaxin often means that a pregnant mother requires less force when receiving an adjustment. Less force equates to less potential for harm, to both the mother and baby.
When considering the lower spine and pelvic region of a pregnant woman, there are techniques that should be avoided. Any adjustment that puts extra twisting or torsion on the lower spine and pelvis should not be done. Because the pelvis is more flexible due to the hormone Relaxin, twisting motions increase the chance of misalignment. More strain and stress are then put on the surrounding muscles and ligaments resulting in aberrant biomechanics.
There are techniques and protocols designed specifically for pregnant women. The most well-researched and clinically successful technique is the Webster Technique. The Webster Technique is a specific analysis & adjustment that reduces nerve system stress, balances pelvic bones, muscles and ligaments & optimizes the mother’s pelvic function during pregnancy and birth.
The intention of Chiropractic is to aid the body naturally throughout all phases of life. By reducing the presence of nerve stress and an unbalanced pelvis, the pregnant mother and growing baby have a better chance to operate at a greater potential and closer to its normal functional capability.
Chiropractic care is vital during pregnancy to ensure optimal nerve function for both the mother and growing child. During this time of maternal changes and baby development, it is important for both their systems to function at their best. Since baby development starts in the first few weeks, early on in pregnancy is the most important time to begin regular chiropractic care.
Jarek Esarco, DC, CACCP is a pediatric, family wellness and upper cervical specific Chiropractor. He is an active member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA). Dr. Jarek has postgraduate certification in Pediatric Chiropractic through the ICPA. Dr. Jarek also has postgraduate certification in the HIO Specific Brain Stem technique through The TIC Institute. Dr. Jarek is happily married to his wife Regina. They live in Youngstown, Ohio with their daughter Ruby.
