What to Expect at a Prenatal Chiropractor?

Visiting a prenatal chiropractor consistently throughout each trimester of pregnancy has a wide range of benefits, from alleviating morning sickness to reducing muscle fatigue. 

The primary benefit of visiting a prenatal chiropractor is to adjust the position of the pelvis to the optimal birthing position, which reduces the risk of an invasive birthing procedure, shortens birthing time, and increases general comfort before, during, and after childbirth.

While your experience at a prenatal chiropractor will likely vary depending on your current condition, stage of pregnancy, and health conditions, there are some things universal to a visit. 

If you stop by Restore Chiropractic in Maple Grove, Minnesota, expect this for your first-time prenatal chiropractic care experience.

Prenatal Chiropractic Care vs. Standard Chiropractic Care

When searching for a chiropractic treatment center while pregnant, you need to make sure that the center specializes in prenatal chiropractic care. Lots of misleading information about the dangers of prenatal chiropractic care is spread around pregnancy groups incorrectly.

Specifically, many people erroneously believe that chiropractic care leads to miscarriage, preterm birth, and congenital disorders. On the rare chance a chiropractor messes up treatment, that may happen, but more than 99% of the time, those situations occur because of genetic factors, hormone imbalance, accidents, infections, and immune system responses.

While chiropractors have to be trained in prenatal chiropractic care before being certified, it doesn't mean they specialize in prenatal chiropractic care, nor have they taken the proper precautions and built up the right experience to care for pregnant women. 

Before booking an appointment, call to see if your local chiropractic care center conducts the Webster technique and has adjustable tables for pregnant women to get adjusted on.

Your First Appointment at a Prenatal Chiropractic Care Center

If you've scheduled an appointment with a prenatal chiropractor for the first time, here is what to expect.

The Chiropractor Will Get to Know You

While you share general information when you call to book an appointment or are in the waiting room, once you get to the treatment center and meet with your chiropractor, it is time to share more detailed information on how you are feeling. 

Tell them about your daily routine, pregnancy symptoms, aches, and pains. Also, mention what specific issue needs to be fixed.

You Will Undergo a Physical Assessment

To make sure that you will be given proper care and to formulate an effective treatment plan, your chiropractor needs to be aware of any areas of neurological stress, misalignments of your spine, your overall flexibility, and your pain points. 

Once your assessment is done, your chiropractor will share a care plan on what to focus on, and work on next, letting you know how often you need to come in.

Your Adjustment Begins

Now that your prenatal chiropractor knows what areas need to be worked on, it is time to get started. 

Treatment can be any of the following things:

• Improving the pelvis alignment to obtain an optimal birthing position 
• Prevent in-utero constraints and fix birthing position by utilizing the Webster Technique
• Alleviate muscle and joint pain by focusing on increasing mobility in certain areas 
• Reducing general pregnancy symptoms such as low back pain, sciatica, pubic symphysis dysfunction, and numbness and tingling in the hands and fingers.

Your appointment is now done, so don't forget to drink lots of water, eat, and get some rest! 

Understanding the Role of Prenatal Chiropractic Care

Pregnancy is a transformative journey for mothers-to-be, marked by physical changes that can bring discomfort and challenges. Throughout this experience, prenatal chiropractic care stands as a holistic approach to support expecting mothers, offering numerous benefits that contribute to a smoother pregnancy and postpartum experience.

Here are just a few of the primary objectives a prenatal chiropractor strives to achieve throughout the pregnancy process.

Alleviating Pregnancy Discomfort

Throughout pregnancy, the body undergoes significant changes, leading to increased stress on the spine and pelvis. Prenatal chiropractors use gentle, specialized techniques to address these changes, providing relief from back pain, pelvic discomfort, and sciatic nerve issues commonly experienced during pregnancy. 

For example, prenatal chiropractors utilizing the Webster Technique can focus on balancing the pelvis, potentially aiding in optimal fetal positioning and reducing the likelihood of breech presentation. 

Supporting Pelvic Alignment for Easier Birth

Ensuring proper pelvic alignment is crucial for an easier delivery. Prenatal chiropractors utilize adjustments that align the pelvis, potentially reducing the chances of complications during labor.

In fact, according to the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, women receiving chiropractic care throughout pregnancy report shorter labor times by up to 25% compared to those who do not seek chiropractic care. 

Enhancing Nervous System Function

Chiropractic adjustments focus on spinal health, which influences the nervous system. Optimizing nervous system function can aid in better overall health for both mother and baby. 

Research even suggests that regular chiropractic care during pregnancy may contribute to improved sleep quality and reduced stress levels for expecting mothers. 

Postpartum Recovery

After childbirth, the body goes through an adjustment phase. Prenatal chiropractic care continues to play a role in postpartum recovery, aiding in realignment and addressing any musculoskeletal issues that may have arisen during pregnancy. 

In fact, there have been several studies that highlight the positive impact of postpartum chiropractic care, demonstrating faster recovery times from musculoskeletal discomfort associated with childbirth.

The Leading Prenatal Chiropractic Care in Maple Grove, MN

Everyone's first experience with a prenatal chiropractor is unique because treatment should be catered specifically to your body. Whether you are going to be a new mother or are adding another precious gift to your family, make sure your pregnancy goes smoothly with minimal complications by undergoing frequently scheduled chiropractic care sessions.

If you live in Hennepin County or the Minneapolis metro, fill out our new patient forms or reach out to us at 612-516-3090 with any questions about our services.