How Chiropractic Care Can Help Shorten Labor
Back pain during pregnancy is a normal occurrence for most women. According to the American Chiropractic Association, up to 90 percent of women encounter back pain during pregnancy.
Fortunately, there’s something you can do about it. Have you considered seeing a chiropractor? You can link up with one of our specialists now.
Research finds that chiropractic care during pregnancy may be of value. It offers pain relief, and every expectant mother deserves a little comfort. Did you also know that your chiropractor can help shorten your labor?
When to Tell Your Chiropractor You Are Pregnant
The best time to tell your chiropractor you’re pregnant is when you discover you are. Being pregnant throws a number of challenges at you, and you need support from the get-go.
Prenatal chiropractic adjustment in early pregnancy offers many benefits and you’ll want to enjoy them.
Some women start receiving chiropractic care during the third trimester, however. That’s probably because that’s the best time for doctors of chiropractic to apply the Webster Technique.
Do I Need a Referral to See a Chiropractor?
Not really. You don’t need to consult your OB-GYN first before seeing a chiropractor. Don’t worry, chiropractic care is considered to be safe. Besides, all 50 states recognize chiropractors as primary care providers. However, there’s no problem if you want to talk to your physician first. Most of them recognize the critical role chiropractors play in supporting expectant moms.
Chiropractic Adjustment During Pregnancy
Pelvic adjustment and other manipulations ramp up your overall comfort, making you feel much better. Our specialists do aim to restore your balance while correcting pelvic misalignment.
We are all about getting your birthing organs to collaborate with your nervous system. When these components and systems are working together well, the body starts readying itself for labor and childbirth.
Can a Chiropractor Help Start Labor?
Did you know that 95 babies out of every 100 aren’t born on their due date? The due date is just an estimate. Most women deliver a couple of days before or after it. Only about five percent of deliveries happen on the due date, which typically falls somewhere within the 42nd week.
That’s why doctors sometimes induce labor. However, this should only be done when absolutely necessary. Fortunately, there are many natural ways to induce labor, including nipple manipulation, having sex, and chiropractic care.
Chiropractic care increases the odds of having a natural birth experience. It relaxes the floor of the pelvis and returns it to balanced alignment.
Our specialists perform various chiropractic adjustments that nudge the baby to start moving down toward the pelvis. As a result, you’re highly likely to have a natural delivery rather than a C-section or other medical intervention.
Does Chiropractic Care Shorten Labor?
Yes, it may shorten labor. It’s not the only way to shorten labor, however. You’ll want to combine chiropractic care with other effective approaches for optimal results.
Ways to Shorten Labor
Here are 4 ways to improve your chances of shorter labor:
1. Walking Every Day
Walking keeps you fit. It can also help your baby move into the right position in the uterus as labor nears.
Walking triggers the production of a vital hormone called oxytocin. Oxytocin helps regulate contractions, and that’s desirable. Your chiropractor will most likely recommend a bit of daily walking for you as delivery approaches.
2. Exercising Regularly
Another natural way to make labor less stressful is exercising regularly. Squats are among the most effective exercises for people who want easier labor. The American Association of Chiropractors favors these exercises for pregnant women.
With squats, your baby gets ample room in the uterus so it can turn without issues when the time comes. This type of exercise can actually help you prevent breech presentation.
Did you know that doing squats every day may open your pelvic outlet by up to 10 percent? Yes, exercise is that essential to labor!
Note: If your baby is breech, it’s best to avoid too much of this exercise.
3. Proper Nutrition
Everyone should eat balanced meals every day. However, proper eating is more critical for invalids, the elderly, children, and pregnant women.
One of the most important types of food to consume is dates. Researchers have found that eating six dates daily starting 30 days before the expected delivery date could be beneficial.
First off, eating dates daily increases the odds of spontaneous labor. Expecting moms that eat dates tend to have a shorter first phase of labor than those who don’t.
Also, once date eaters get admitted to the hospital for labor, their cervix dilates more than it does in non-eaters. You can get the research here.
4. Get Chiropractic Care
The next natural way to shorten labor is to start receiving chiropractic care. It’s best to start seeing a chiropractor as early as possible.
Going to the chiropractor while pregnant reduces the chances you’ll have a difficult labor. Chiropractors employ a variety of techniques that help reduce anxiety, stress, and back and hip pain before labor.
Many physicians these days refer their patients to chiropractors for chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy. The Webster Technique is particularly instrumental when it comes to shortening labor. It helps relax joints, ligaments, muscles, and the brain. This encourages different parts of the body to cooperate, so you can have an easier delivery.
Hormonal Changes
Many beneficial hormonal changes happen during pregnancy. Without them, the fetus would not have the right environment to develop in.
These hormones typically cause the body to change in many ways. First off, the person gains weight significantly, and their hips expand during pregnancy. As the baby grows, the belly starts to balloon, while the back curves. As the body’s overall posture changes, its center of gravity also shifts. As a result of all these changes, the pelvis takes a lot of pressure.
These Adjustments Cause Discomfort
All these changes can cause quite a bit of unpleasantness and even stress to the expectant mom. That’s where chiropractors at Arise Family Chiropractor come in. We want as many of our patients as possible to have shorter labor.
We use safe, drug-free techniques to boost pain relief while prepping you for the big day. Research indicates that 3 out of 4 pregnant women that receive chiropractic care get pain relief.
Looking for a Chiropractor?
Working with a licensed chiropractor during pregnancy is highly advisable. We at Arise Family Chiropractic know how it feels to be pregnant. That’s why we do everything possible to shorten our clients’ labor.
Our specialists have the requisite experience. You’ll be in safe hands. What’s more, they’re trained to handle pregnant women. Contact us now.