Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy; Helping the Process Stay Natural

By Dr. Christine Zorad

Christine Zorad is a Doctor of Chiropractic and a Certified Pediatric Chiropractor in private practice in Omaha, Nebraska. Visit www.icpa4kids.org

In our culture, over the course of time, pregnancy and birth have been slowly transformed into a medical event. A modern woman in the care of Western medicine might believe she is having a natural childbirth experience even as she is being subjected to a myriad of medical interventions. It’s important to remember that any intervention in a natural process increases the risk of injury to the mother and her child. If an emergency should arise, medical expertise is available. Is there a way to create and maintain a more natural birthing experience?

An expectant mother has choices. By design, the female form is beautifully and wonderfully made to nurture, develop and deliver a baby. That natural process is allowed to unfold when an expectant mother reclaims her personal power. It may take some education and commitment, and it is well worth the effort. Pregnancy is a wonderful time that should be filled with physical comfort, emotional peace and joy. Chiropractic care can help the expectant mom feel comfortable, energetic and healthy.

The role of chiropractic with pregnancy:

Chiropractic is based on the philosophy that the body has an innate intelligence or energy that needs clear channels through which to flow. The nervous system is the conduit for that innate intelligence. There are thousands of processes going on at all times within the body. They must be coordinated and synchronized in order to achieve optimum health. There is intelligence or essence that is greater than the sum of the parts and that is where to look for health and well-being.

Any stress that accumulate beyond the body’s ability to adapt causes stress patterns in the nervous system. These patterns set the stage for how we express ourselves mentally, emotionally and physically. Even without symptoms present, a chiropractic exam can expose blocks to the flow of your innate energy.

First Trimester:

As soon as a woman realizes she is to become a parent it is appropriate to evaluate belief systems about medicine and explore alternatives. Our most common model warns that in childbirth, intervention is necessary and that women need to be saved from the seemingly unnecessary pain and anguish of childbirth.

The belief I advocate says that a woman is and individual and that her doctor should partner with her in the decision making. She believes that she is capable of delivering her baby and takes responsibility for all aspects of her pregnancy and childbirth. It is sensible to be open to a healing model that encompasses both conventional and alternative beliefs.

A chiropractor can be a valuable team member during pregnancy. Spinal adjustments help keep nerve channels open and expand the baby’s health as well as the mother’s. Because of the demands placed on the body by the early pregnancy process, mothers may feel very tired. There are so many physical, hormonal and emotional changes taking place. It’s a time to listen to the body: a time to pay special attention to health care needs. This time is also when expectant mothers may experience “morning sickness”, somewhat of a misnomer for nausea that may last all day.

Many women have great success easing this discomfort through chiropractic, acupuncture, homeopathy and naturopathy. By the end of the first trimester, all the baby’s structures have undergone extraordinary development and now need only to mature.

Second Trimester:

During this time a woman may feel the quickening or movement by the baby. Also she usually experiences a state of well-being. An ultrasound will be recommended to check fetal growth. Research the value of ultrasound as a diagnostic tool verses any risks of ultrasound on the rabidly developing tissues of the baby. Any suggested diagnostic tool should be researched so the mother can make informed decisions. The major growth in the size of the baby happens during the 6th and 7th months of gestation. This is a time when regular chiropractic care can ease discomforts and imbalances as the baby grows and the mother’s body changes.

Third Trimester:

Up until the third trimester, the baby may have enjoyed free movement and have been able to assume a variety of positions. In fact, the expectant woman may think that her child will become a kick boxer or soccer player! Talk frequently with your baby now and listen to what they tell you about their experience. This communication will be even more important during labor and delivery when you will instinctively find it necessary to get into certain positions or consent to procedural help. Learn early to listen to what your baby tells you.

Any restriction in the pelvis and how the uterus is tethered to the pelvic bones will have a significant influence on the baby’s ability to assume optimal position for birth. In rare circumstances, the baby may be in a breech position. This is one way a baby can get spine and nerve stress before birth. A chiropractic analysis and specific adjustment of the pelvis along with release of some of the ligaments may help. This is called the Webster Technique and has been proven in case studies to be 85-90% effective in allowing the baby to then move on their own into a better position for birth.

Some women don’t notice any extreme discomfort until well into their third trimester. Problems like groin pain, sciatic, premature contractions, heart burn and back pain can occur. With any of these symptoms, consult with a chiropractor right away. Most women who are under chiropractic care from the beginning, rarely experience severe pain.

Labor and Delivery:

Surround yourself with a strong support team. Studies have proven that employing a trained birth assistant known as a doula for support and assistance can ease labor and lessen complications. Investigate what procedures the hospital uses as routine.

Decide ahead which one you will choose under reasonable circumstances and write up your birth plan (including signed waivers if necessary). Important choices such as breast-feeding, circumcision or vaccination require investigation. If you truly don’t want any pain medication, be sure there is someone on your team who can coach you through the experience. You may be tempted to throw out all your carefully constructed plans and heartfelt desires only to regret that decision later.

Post-Natal Care:

After delivery, see your chiropractor as soon as possible. It is important to be in good alignment during the post-natal period when the body gradually returns to the pre-pregnancy state. Some parents stop by the office on their way home from the hospital to have the baby check. Very gentle cranial-sacral techniques are most often all that a newborn needs to ensure a healthy beginning to a glorious new life outside the womb.
Every expectant mother has the power to orchestrate what happens during the pregnancy and delivery experience. Confidence comes from knowledge----so get educated! The same spark from the universe that created you is with you right now. Learn to trust this innate intelligence and seek out health care practitioners who respect your belief in the power of the body. Love your self, baby, family and all the people in your life!

Dr. Christine Zorad

Dr. Christine Zorad D.C. offers Chiropractic services with
focus on individual as well as family health and well-being. She shares information that informs and inspires others about the process of optimum health and the process necessary to achieve that state.
Her perception regarding her responsibility as a Doctor of Chiropractic is refreshing and unique because she makes the process of healing understandable. To quote Dr. Zorad, “Life will put us into inappropriate patterns that are expressed on physical, mental and emotional levels. My passion in Chiropractic is to help change old patterns that prevent expression of life to it’s full potential.” Dr. Z is dedicated to children and specializes in pediatric care, as well as caring for the expectant mom.

“It’s easier to direct health and growth from birth, than it is to change an unhealthy pattern after becoming an adult.”

Dr. Christine Zorad, an Omaha native, moved back to the Heartland 8 years ago. She now practices out of Whole Body Health Chiropractic, 2430 S. 73rd St. #202, Omaha, NE 68114.

Dr. Zorad is a 1986 Summa Cume Laude Graduate of Cleveland Chiropractic College in Kansas City. She and her 2 sons, James Skyler 15 and Christian 13 are active with Boy Scouts as well music, movies, exercise and enjoy outdoor activities.

Dr. Zorad is available for speaking engagements
on various health topics for those interested.

For more information call;

402-393-0280 kikichiro@hotmail.com