At this time of year, everyone’s talking about their Labor Day Weekend plans, but in our office, we talk about a DIFFERENT kind of “Labor Day” throughout the whole year… Did you know research has shown that chiropractic can help your labor and birth?

1. Shorter Labor Times:
A retrospective review of statistics reported that primigravida (pregnant for the first time) women who seek chiropractic care throughout gestation have, on average, a 25% shorter labor time! Multiparous women (meaning they have given birth at least once already) who seek chiropractic care throughout their pregnancy have, on average, 31% shorter labor times. (1,2)

2. Help with Fetal Positioning:
As discussed in our post about the Webster Technique, one of the treatment goals of chiropractic during pregnancy is meant to reduce fascial restraint within the musculoskeletal structures of the pelvis to promote biomechanical balance. Chiropractic can help decrease tension in the pelvis so the baby is able to move more freely and get into the best possible position for birth! (3)

3. Relaxation of Pelvis Floor Musculature:
One recent study studied the change in tone of the pelvic floor musculature (specifically the levator hiatal area) after a chiropractic adjustment. This is the area that needs to be able to stretch during a vaginal delivery. The researchers saw that the area of the levator hiatal area was increased significantly after 1 adjustment, and this demonstrated a more relaxed state of the pelvic floor muscles. (The interesting thing with this study was that there was no change in muscle tone to the non-pregnant patients that were participants in this study, which says that this change in tone with chiropractic care may be pregnancy related only.) (4)

4. Less Pain:
Research has shown that chiropractic care throughout pregnancy can be helpful at reducing pain symptoms throughout pregnancy. The authors on one study also noted that chiropractic care may significantly decrease the incidence of “back labor,” which can significantly increase pain and complications of labor and birth. The relative risk of experiencing back labor was almost 3 times greater (!) if back pain was experienced at all during the pregnancy. (5)

Are you pregnant? Contact us to set up your appointment with Dr. Cristina to see if intrauterine constraint and/or musculoskeletal imbalance are affecting your pregnancy.

Sources:
1. J.M. Fallon. Textbook on chiropractic & pregnancy. Arlington, VA: International Chiropractic Association; 1994: 52, 109.
2. Fallon J.M. Chiropractic and pregnancy: a partnership for the future. ICA Int Rev Chiropr. 1990;46(6):39–42.
3. Ohm J. Chiropractors and midwives: a look at the Webster Technique. Midwifery Today. 2001;58:42.
4. Haavik H, Murphy BA, Kruger J. Effect of Spinal Manipulation on Pelvic Floor Functional Changes in Pregnant and Nonpregnant Women: A Preliminary Study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther.2016;39:339-347.
5. Diakow P.R.P., Gadsby T.A., Gadsby J.B., Gleddie J.G., Leprich D.J., Scales A.M. Back pain during pregnancy and labor. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1991;14(2):116–118.

For the baby, the surrounding walls of the uterus tighten with pelvic imbalance, becoming more and more like tight bed sheets that restrict her motion. The chiropractic adjustment to the pelvis releases tension to the ligaments and uterus so that the baby can move freely and assume the best possible position for birth.

It is important to realize that many pregnant women are seeking ICPA doctors throughout their pregnancies to utilize the many additional benefits of the Webster technique. For every stage of pregnancy, this adjustment reduces interference to the nervous system—a vital benefit to improve physiology for both Mom and her baby. When Mom’s physiological function is at its best, the baby’s development is optimized. Balancing the pelvic bones, muscles and ligaments and improving normal physiology sets the stage for a natural birth. Chiropractic care and the Webster technique allow for safer, easier births!

This excerpt was taken from the ICPA Member Newsletter, 2019. For more information, visit  discoverkidshealth.com. 

Call our office today at 203-355-2830 to set up your prenatal consultation and evaluation!

Chiropractors work with the body’s ability to adapt & function. Chiropractic care during pregnancy can be beneficial for the normal physiological function of the mother and baby. During pregnancy, chiropractic care focuses on alignment and balance in the musculoskeletal structures of the pelvis. Proper pelvic alignment helps the mother have an easier pregnancy, and can also ease the birth process!

Some benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy include:

• Prepares the pelvis for an easier pregnancy and birth by creating a state of balance in pelvic bony structures, muscles & ligaments
• Removes torsion of the ligaments that support the uterus, thus potentially reducing abnormal tension to the woman’s uterus
• Decreases pain caused by improper biomechanics of the pelvis and spine
• Reduces interference to the mother’s vital nerve system, which controls and coordinates all of her organ systems and body functions
• Pelvic balance in the mother allows the baby greater room to develop without restrictions to its forming cranium, spine and other skeletal structures

What is the Webster Technique?
The Webster Technique, discovered by Dr. Larry Webster, in 1978, founder of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), is a specific chiropractic adjustment to eliminate sacral misalignment and improve nerve system function. He developed it as a specific sacral adjustment for pregnant women to help balance pelvic muscles and ligaments and potentially improve birth outcome. The first woman who came into his practice and had this technique applied was pregnant with a breech baby. Shortly after beginning care, the baby turned to a head down position. Dr. Webster continued to offer this adjustment for all pregnant mothers in his practice. For those presenting breech, he claimed a 95% rate of these babies assuming a more optimal positioning for birth. This led to great interest by chiropractors, birth providers and mothers seeking options for safer, easier natural births.

The Webster Technique is similar to many chiropractic sacral adjustments. First there is an analysis to confirm sacral alignment. Then there is a light force thrust applied to the sacrum for correction. The adjustment is gentle and effective in establishing alignment in the pelvis which is of course imperative for safer, easier more natural births.

Dr. Cristina is certified in the Webster Technique through the ICPA (International Chiropractic Pediatric Association) and loves helping women enjoy their pregnancies! For more information about the ICPA and/or the Webster technique, visit www.ICPA4kids.org.

Sources:

The Webster Technique: A Chiropractic Technique. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2002 Jul-Aug;25(6): E1-9
ICPA April Member Newsletter