How Chiropractic Care Can Help with Each Trimester of Pregnancy

Seeing the chiropractor while pregnant is becoming a more common practice to help alleviate those aches, pains and changes a woman’s body endures to make room for baby and prepare for labor. Easing aches and pains is only one way chiropractic adjustments help during pregnancy, however. There are many more major benefits to regular chiropractic visits during pregnancy which we frequently discuss with the patients who come to our family wellness center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Here are some of our favorite ways a visit to the chiropractor helps in each trimester of pregnancy as well as the “fourth” trimester after baby has arrived. If you are planning a pregnancy or are expecting, we’d love to share how we can help you throughout your pregnancy at a free consultation.

1. First Trimester chiropractic benefits

You get the positive pregnancy test and suddenly, your life is different - and your body begins changing. Morning sickness (or all day sickness for some), headaches, fatigue and dizziness are all common symptoms of the early weeks of pregnancy.

Chiropractic care can help ease these first trimester symptoms. By realigning your spine, your entire nervous system can be reset to ease any pregnancy pain, nausea, dizziness or fatigue. A chiropractic adjustment in the first trimester can give your hormones better balance and allow some of the intensity of the symptoms to slow their roll.

2. Second Trimester chiropractic benefits

While the second trimester is known as the grace period of pregnancy, your body is still changing which can bring on some skeletal aches. To help you truly enjoy this trimester, chiropractic care can be your best friend.

Hip, back and joint pain can all start to become more noticeable during the second trimester. A chiropractor like Dr. Lauren Golden at Golden Family Chiropractic can help realign your pelvis and spine, as these are adjusting to make room for your growing baby and preparing for birth. Sciatic nerve pain can also be addressed by your chiropractor and help you find much needed relief from the sharp, sometimes debilitating pain.

3. Third Trimester chiropractic benefits

Alright, Mama! You’re in the home stretch of pregnancy. Your body is continuing to grow and change to prepare for labor and birth, so care of your pelvis and spine are very important to help your body open naturally. Plus, all those adjustments you’ve been getting during your pregnancy can help you have a speedier, easier delivery! Here are some of the fascinating ways chiropractic adjustments in the weeks leading up to labor can make a big difference.

• Adjustments help the baby get in the head-down position for birth

• Chiropractic adjustments can help the nerves connected to the uterus and cervix perform optimally toward the end of pregnancy

• Chiropractic care in the third trimester helps the process of labor to go more smoothly

• Research shows that moms experienced a 24-39% shorter delivery due to regular chiropractic adjustments

4. Fourth Trimester chiropractic benefits

One of our favorite times to support a new mother in the Charlotte, North Carolina area is during the “fourth trimester”.

Many in the birth community refer to the first twelve weeks postpartum as the fourth trimester because your body is still changing and your hormones are still in flux - plus a brand new infant requires a lot of attention. This time can be emotionally and physically taxing as your recently pregnant body is trying to adjust to its former state.

Physically, chiropractic care can help with postpartum back pain, postural pain and hormonal imbalance. But even more than that, chiropractic care can help a new mom emotionally. Having a standing chiropractic appointment can be a good reason for her to leave the house and feel like she’s taking care of her needs, because the newborn phase can be isolating and lead to postpartum depression.

Seeing a chiropractor after labor can also help rebalance a new mom’s hormones, helping her deal with the anxiety and sadness many can feel after they’ve had a baby (don’t worry Mama--it’s totally normal to feel this way!)

We want to note that if you feel unusually down, anxious or feel like you may hurt yourself or your baby, please seek immediate medical attention from your OB or Midwife. While postpartum depression and anxiety are nothing to be ashamed of, it is vital that you get help as soon as possible.

Brand new infants can also benefit tremendously from chiropractic adjustments. Check out all the reasons your newest addition should get adjusted here.

If you are pregnant and looking for a chiropractor who is an expert at caring for women and babies, schedule a free consultation with us at Golden Family Chiropractic in Steele Creek, North Carolina. We are more than chiropractic - we are a holistic, natural wellness center for pregnant and soon-to-be pregnant women in the Charlotte area.