If you are pregnant, one of the best things you can do is see a doctor of chiropractic. Chiropractors can provide guidance, resources, symptom relief and health optimizing care in this exciting and confusing time when you want to be your best.

It is vitally important to have a healthy body and mind to handle the changes and decisions that need to be made while carrying, birthing and raising your child. A pregnant body needs a flexible and balanced spine, hips and pelvis; it needs internal organs without postural stress or nerve stress. Chiropractic care helps ensure that all body systems, especially the reproductive system, function properly.  

Pregnancy is a dynamic process, with numerous changes taking place in the body within a relatively short span of time. During pregnancy, the adaptive capacity of the human body is nothing short of amazing. Chiropractors work with the innate ability of the body to grow and adapt in all circumstances of life. Guided by a holistic philosophy and understanding of the intelligent processes of the body, chiropractors employ the fundamental principles of life to work with the body and support the process of pregnancy and birthing.

There is a significant amount of extra stress placed on a mother's spine and nerve system during pregnancy: the extra load of weight gain; an increase in circulating hormones causing significant muscle and ligamentous relaxation; mental and emotional changes; and the responsibilities of child rearing. It is important to understand that the mother's internal environment is the environment of the baby, and it is, therefore, important to minimize nerve stress to maximize the comfort, function and health of mother and child.  

Chiropractic care is a safe and natural approach to supporting your body through the rigors of pregnancy and childbirth. Women do not need to have a problem to receive chiropractic care. Your chiropractic care will be adapted to your specific needs and health history. With the right advice, a healthy lifestyle and regular spinal adjustments, any challenges associated with pregnancy can be overcome. Chiropractic care can help you remain healthy and active throughout your pregnancy; by optimizing your wellbeing, you can better focus on the beautiful experience that pregnancy can be, with the anticipation of new life and of bonding with your child.

Research tells us that chiropractic care during pregnancy has been shown to:

• Help maintain pregnancy
• Control vomiting
• Help or stop premature contractions
• Help you remain active throughout your pregnancy
• Reduce the need for pain medication during pregnancy by half
• Release in-utero constraint, facilitating the turning of breech babies
• Be safe for mother and baby

During the labour and birth process chiropractic care has been shown to:

• Shorten labour time by 25 to 60 percent
• Reduce the incidence of back labour
• Reduce the amount of pain medication during labour
• Help make delivery more comfortable

Dr. Carol Phillips, who specializes in the care of pregnant and birthing mothers, says, "So many women who received chiropractic care during pregnancy say to us: 'How in the world do other women get through pregnancy without [chiropractic] adjustments?'"

Women who experience chiropractic care during pregnancy experience the best that chiropractic has to offer, in addition to mental and emotional empowerment in themselves and their ability to comfortably carry and birth a beautiful healthy child.

Chiropractors also provide a wealth of wellness resources and education to provide women and their partners with information to make the best choices for their families' wellbeing.  

About the author
Allison Barriscale practices Wellness Chiropractic at the Café of Life in North Toronto. She welcomes your questions and invites everyone to explore their bodies’ potential for health, healing and wellbeing. She has a special interest in serving children, pregnant women and babies.

She can be contacted at (416) 728-7365, allison@cafeoflifetoronto.com, or visit her website at www.cafeoflifetoronto.com