An introduction to chiropractic care in pregnancy and infants

Chiropractic is a health care system that does not use drugs – an important consideration, particularly during pregnancy. The many physical and chemical changes in a woman’s body at this time can aggravate existing spinal problems and can also make the spine and pelvis unstable through the relaxation of the ligaments. Together with postural changes likely to occur as a result of increased body weight, pain in the low back, buttocks, groin and legs is common during pregnancy, in fact it is considered unusual not to have it.

Did you know 50% of pregnant women experience low back pain?

Also, Spinal manipulative therapy (carried out by Chiropractors) has been shown to relieve pain in 7/10 women.

You do NOT have to suffer low back pain just because you are pregnant.
Treatment received at Mutley Chiropractic clinic uses gentle techniques designed to stabilise the pelvis and alleviate the physical stress of pregnancy.

Aims of chiropractic in this area

Decrease stress and improve comfort so intra-uterine constraints may be reduced, benefiting both mother and baby.

What to expect on the 1st visit

At the initial consultation a history is taken and an examination performed, this includes:
• Postural examination
• Assessment of hip rotation
• Muscle testing
• Foetal positioning

Advice is given regarding optimal foetal positioning, (OFP) this ensures a comfortable pregnancy, decreasing the biomechanical stress on the baby, makes it more likely to have an uncomplicated labour and ensures faster recovery for both mum and baby.

Your chiropractor can give advice to help encourage good OFP.

Once you have given birth, why not have your new baby checked by your chiropractor? Common infant signs of discomfort that chiropractic care can help with are: • Infant suckles from one breast well, but not the other • The infant holds their head to one side and tilts it back often • Infant dislikes lying on their back – also does not like head being touched or stroked (hates wearing hats!) • Infant has poor sleep patterns and often wakes screaming • Infant suckles only briefly and the mouth does not cover much of the nipple

• Weak or excessively strong suck • Infant coughs or chokes whilst feeding • Infant colic • Repetitive vomiting after feeding • A nervous, crying, sleepless, tense baby • Floppy baby syndrome • Infant distressed on having nappy changed • Constipation/diarrhoea • Glue ear

And also remember, just because you have a bump in the front, it does not mean you have to put up with a pain in the back!