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| Category: Chiropractor(s) |
Date published: November 29, 2005 |
 An Expectant Parent's Guide to Chiropractic Part One
From the moment of conception, your body goes through a series of remarkable changes. It is easy for all of us to see postural changes through pregnancy - the centre of gravity changes, the weight of the baby places increased pressure on the spine and pelvis, and towards the end of the pregnancy, changes are seen in the gait pattern - the characteristic "pregnancy waddle." What we cannot see, are the millions of different hormonal changes and chemical reactions occurring both in the mother and the developing baby - all of which are controlled and coordinated through the nervous system. Now more than ever, you need a nervous system that responds immediately and accurately to changing requirements in all parts of your body; therefore you need a healthy spine!
A person's spine is made of twenty-four moveable bones called vertebrae, plus the sacrum (tailbone), pelvis, and skull. From the brain, nerve impulses travel down the spinal cord and branch out into nerves, exiting between the vertebrae. When the vertebrae become misaligned or unable to move properly, it irritates and interferes with the nerves. The message from the brain is slowed down and the life energy carried by the nerve is unable to reach the organs and tissues at 100% of its potential. A Doctor of Chiropractic aligns the vertebrae and pelvis through gentle adjustments to the spine, relieving the pressure on the nerves and allowing 100% of the nerve energy to reach the tissues it serves. Adjusting women through pregnancy is one of the most rewarding parts of our work, because a healthier pregnancy means an easier labour and delivery, and a better transition for the baby into this life!
As you gain weight, especially in the abdomen, this exerts a downward, forward pull on the lower spine. This extra weight and changes in your gait can set the stage for backache. Additionally, as labour approaches, your body secretes a hormone called Relaxin, which loosens ligaments. This may exaggerate the effects of an existing spinal or pelvis problem.
According to recent studies, Chiropractic care may result in easier pregnancy including increased comfort during the third trimester and delivery, and reduced need for analgesics. In one study, women receiving Chiropractic care through their first pregnancy had 24% shorter labour times and subjects giving birth for the second or third time reported 39% shorter labour times. In another study, the need for analgesics (pain medication) was reduced by 50% in the patients who received adjustments. In addition, 84% of women report relief of back pain during pregnancy with Chiropractic care! And because the sacroiliac joints of the pelvis function better, there is significantly less likelihood of back labour when receiving Chiropractic care through pregnancy. As your pregnancy advances, some Chiropractic techniques will need to be modified for your comfort. Your Chiropractor is aware of this and will make the necessary changes.
Body position during delivery is also critical. Any late second stage labour position that denies postural sacral (tailbone) rotation denies the mother and the baby critical pelvic outlet diameter and jams the tip of the sacrum up to 4cm into the pelvic outlet. In other words, the popular semi-recumbent position that places the labouring woman on her back onto the apex of the sacrum closes off the vital space needed for the baby to get through the pelvic outlet.
This delivery position is the main reason why so many births are traumatic - labour is stalled, the mom becomes fatigued and overwhelmed by pain, so the utilization of epidurals, forceps, episiotomies, vacuum extraction, and caesarean increases. Just consider this analogy: how hard would it be to have a bowel movement while lying on your back? Very hard, and it may not happen at all. This is why squatting is the preferred position - gravity works to help and the pelvic outlet can open to a greater degree. Squatting during delivery results in decreased use of forceps and a shorter second stage of labour than the semi-recumbent position!
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An Expectant Parent's Guide to Chiropractic Part Two
We now know that on-going moderate, low-impact weight-bearing exercise during pregnancy can contribute to normal, on-time delivery and improve the likelihood of giving birth to a healthy, heavier baby. Unless there are medical reasons to avoid it, pregnant women can and should exercise moderately for at least 30 minutes on most, if not all, days. Exercise helps women feel better. The calories burned help prevent too much weight gain. Exercise can help pregnant women avoid gestational diabetes; a form of diabetes that sometimes develops during pregnancy. It can help build the stamina needed for labour and delivery. Exercise enhances well-being and promotes early recovery after labour and delivery. It's also worth mentioning that exercise can be very helpful in coping with the postpartum period: exercise can help new mothers keep "baby blues" at bay, regain their energy and lose the weight they gained during pregnancy.
Some pregnancy exercise tips:- Don't exercise for longer than 30 minutes at a time.
- Always include a warm-up and a cool-down period (in addition to the 30 minutes of exercise).
- Avoid forced, passive stretches, such as reaching for your toes or doing hamstring stretches. Pregnancy hormones make your joints looser, so overstretching - which can cause a muscle injury - is a greater risk during pregnancy. Also, avoid sudden jerking or bouncing movements or quick changes in position.
- Limit aerobic activity to the low-impact variety, especially if you weren't exercising regularly before getting pregnant. Brisk walking, swimming, and riding a stationary bicycle are good choices.
- Measure your heart rate at peak activity to be sure you are not exceeding 140 beats per minute.
- Avoid overheating: Drink plenty of water, and don't exercise in hot, humid conditions.
- Avoid activities that put you at high risk for injury, such as horseback riding or downhill skiing.
- Avoid sports in which you could get hit in the abdomen.
- Especially after the third month, avoid exercises that require you to lie flat on your back.
- Never scuba dive because it can cause dangerous gas bubbles in the baby's circulatory system.
- And remember; always check with your health care provider before starting any new exercise routine during pregnancy.
Some additonal hints to help prevent pregnancy backache:- Stand erect - do not allow your belly to sag.
- Change positions often to ease lower back strain.
- When lifting, bend your knees and keep your back straight.
- Consult your chiropractor for exercises to reduce lower back strain (an easy one to start with are pelvic tilts).
- Your mattress should be supportive and comfortable.
- Sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees.
- Adequate rest is essential.
- Practice good postural habits.
- Plan and do regular exercise.
- Do Kegel exercises to prepare and tone the pelvic floor muscles for delivery. (To do Kegels, contract the muscles around your urethra, vagina, and rectum (imagine you're trying to prevent yourself from urinating). Hold for several seconds, then release. Repeat in sets of 10, several times each day).
- Have regular spinal check-ups; they are an important part of preventative health care.
Other factors to consider in maintaining a healthy pregnancy:- Proper nutrition is essential including adequate intake of folic acid, good sources of protein and iron, calcium-rich foods, and lots of fruits and vegetables.
- Drink plenty of pure water to keep well hydrated.
- Avoid eating too much sugar and sweets including fruit drinks as they can cause you (and the baby) to gain excessive weight.
- Recent research has found that a pregnant woman can help protect the health of her child by avoiding:
-Smoking and second-hand smoke
-Alcohol
-Excessive caffeine (e.g. tea, coffee and cola)
-Unnecessary exposure to x-rays (especially in the first trimester)
-Unnecessary medication (including over-the-counter remedies)
-Foods with chemical additives and artificial ingredients.
Regular exercise, good nutrition, and periodic spinal adjustments can make pregnancy the pleasant, exciting experience you want it to be! Pregnancy should be an opportunity to reflect on your family's plans and dreams - not a time to struggle with pain. Preparing for a new baby is a daunting challenge for even the most organized mothers-to-be. So, during this meaningful time, be proactive: work to prevent backache before it affects your peace of mind or distracts you from focusing on your family's well being. Chiropractic care is safe and natural, simply removing interference to your body's own controlling and healing ability.
For more information on pregnancy and Chiropractic, contact Dr. Stacey Rosenberg at Gibsons Chiropractic at: Chiropractor@dccnet.com, or your family chiropractor. References available on request
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