Nurturing Your Spine During Pregnancy

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Housing another human incurs a whirlwind of changes within the body. As a baby develops the mothers weight and centre of gravity are shifted forwards. This change affects the spinal curves, posture and how the body moves. A woman's uterus is typically the size of an orange, by the third trimester it grows to the size of a watermelon. This can cause the two sheets of muscle across the abdomen to separate. During pregnancy the body makes a hormone called relaxin which instructs ligaments in the pelvis to relax. While this is great for the birthing process, it can make the spine and pelvis less stable and more prone to injury during pregnancy. It is amazing what the body achieves in nine short months! Because these changes occur so quickly it can be difficult for the body to adapt. There are a few things you can do to help your body better deal with these changes and maintain a healthy spine during pregnancy including:

  • Avoid using the abdominal muscles when sitting up from a lying down position. Instead bend your knees, turn onto your side and use your hands to push up

  • Let others lift heavy items for you 

  • Avoid carrying toddlers

  • Keep your pelvic floor strong (‘Pilates by Georgia’ has awesome online pregnancy pilates) 

  • Avoid standing with your hands on your hips and tummy pushed forwards

  • Leave your high heels at home

  • If sleeping on your side putting a pillow between your knees can be more comfortable 

  • And of course regular Chiropractic Care!

The nervous system is the master control system of the body, it is made of the brain, spinal cord and spinal nerves. It is responsible for coordinating every single function of the body - including growing a healthy baby! The physical hurdles of pregnancy can lead to dysfunction in the spine and pelvis which in turns affects the way your nervous system can fire. Chiropractic Care before and during pregnancy helps to clear interference from the nervous system allowing mum and baby to be as healthy as possible². 

Chiropractic adjustments help balance the pelvic ligaments that support and maintain the position of the uterus. This means there is optimal room for the baby to grow and sit in an appropriate position. Research has shown that Chiropractic Care may help reduce the chance of having a breech baby¹. 

Pelvic floor muscles are a key layer of muscles that stretch like a muscular trampoline from the front to back of the pelvis. Contraction of these muscles provides support for internal organs and controls the opening of the bladder, bowel and uterus. The extra stress placed on these muscles during pregnancy can cause them to weaken leading to complicated vaginal delivery, postpartum urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse.  A recent study completed in New Zealand has concluded that pregnant women who received Chiropractic Care had a greater ability to relax their pelvic floor muscles³. Women experience on average a 24% reduction in the length of labour time following Chiropractic Care during pregnancy⁴. This increases to a 33% reduction in subsequent pregnancies⁴. A delivery that is quicker and less painful is something that all mothers will embrace!

If you know a pregnant mumma out there that would benefit from Chiropractic Care during her pregnancy, share the word. We would be honoured to look after her and her growing bub. 

Dr. Caitlyn

References 

1. Ohm, J. (2001). Chiropractors and midwives: a look at the Webster Technique. Midwifery today with international midwife, (58), 42.

2. Wang, S. M., Zinno, P. D., Fermo, L., William, K., Caldwell-Andrews, A. A., Bravemen, F., & Kain, Z. N. (2005). Complementary and alternative medicine for low-back pain in pregnancy: a cross-sectional survey. Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, 11(3), 459-464.

3. Haavik, H., Murphy, B. A., & Kruger, J. (2016). Effect of spinal manipulation on pelvic floor functional changes in pregnant and nonpregnant women: a preliminary study. Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics, 39(5), 339-347.

4. Australian Spinal Research Foundation. (2016). Just Published, Ground-Breaking Results: Chiropractic And Pelvic Floor Control. Retrieved from Australian Spinal Research Foundation: https://spinalresearch.com.au/just-published-ground-breaking-results-chiropractic-pelvic-floor-control/

Gabriel Lewis