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Prenatal Chiropractic

First Days of Health

Is chiropractic care during pregnancy safe?

There are no known contraindications to chiropractic care throughout pregnancy. All chiropractors are trained to work with women who are pregnant. Investing in the fertility and wellness of women who are pregnant or trying to conceive is a routine care for most chiropractors.
 Dr. Ritchie has been trained to work with pregnant women, and utilizes a table that adjusts for a pregnant woman’s body, and techniques are used that avoid unneeded pressure on the abdomen.

Why should I have chiropractic care during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, physiological and endocrinological changes occur in preparation for creating the best environment for the developing baby.

Some spinal changes noted during pregnancy:
– Protruding abdomen causing increased back curve
– Pelvic changes
– Postural adaptations

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Is chiropractic care during pregnancy safe?
Establishing pelvic balance and alignment is an important reason to obtain chiropractic care during pregnancy. When the pelvis is misaligned it may reduce the amount of room available for the developing baby. This restriction is called intrauterine constraint. A misaligned pelvis may also make it difficult for the baby to get into the best possible position for delivery. This can affect the mother’s ability to have a natural, non-invasive birth. Breech and posterior positions can interfere with the natural ease of labor and lead to interventions such as c-sections. 

The nervous system is the master communication system to all the body systems including the reproductive system. Keeping the spine aligned helps the entire body work more effectively.

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Potential benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy include:

– Maintaining a healthier pregnancy
– Controlling symptoms of nausea
– Reducing the time of labor and delivery
– Relieving back, neck or joint pain
– Prevent a potential cesarean delivery

What about chiropractic care and breech deliveries?

The late Larry Webster, D.C., Founder of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association(ICPA), developed a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment which enables chiropractors to establish balance in the pregnant woman’s pelvis and reduce undue stress to her uterus and supporting ligaments. This balanced state in the pelvis has been clinically shown to allow for optimal fetal positioning. The technique is known as the Webster Technique. Dr. Ritchie has been trained in this technique.

The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics reported in the July/August 2002 issue an 82% success rate of babies turning vertex when doctors of chiropractic used the Webster Technique. Further, the results from the study suggest that it may be beneficial to perform the Webster Technique as soon as the 8th month of pregnancy when a woman has a breech presentation.

Optimal baby positioning at the time of birth also eliminates the potential for dystocia (difficult labor) and therefore results in easier and safer deliveries for both the mother and baby.

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