Pregnancy is an amazing time in a woman’s life, but it can also be rather stressful. There’s so much information out there, it’s easy to feel confused and overwhelmed.
It’s also normal to have questions about what is and isn’t safe to do during pregnancy. Can you work out when you’re pregnant? Which foods are you supposed to avoid?
You may have even found yourself wondering, “Can I go to the chiropractor while pregnant?”
If you’re not sure of the answer to this last question, keep reading to find out the answer.
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Can I Go to Chiropractor While Pregnant?
Let’s start by getting this big question out of the way. Yes, you can go to the chiropractor while pregnant. In fact, many doctors even encourage it.
Many pregnant women see a chiropractor during their pregnancy to help minimize back pain. Back pain is highly common among pregnant women.
The weight of the baby changes their center of gravity. This, in turn, can affect their posture and misalign the spine and pelvis, all of which can lead to chronic back pain.
Chronic pain in the lower back is especially common and tends to get better with regular chiropractic adjustments.
Additional Chiropractic Benefits
In addition to minimizing back pain, there are a lot of other benefits that come with prenatal chiropractic care, including the following:
- Improved mood
- Minimized anxiety
- Improved mobility and flexibility
- Reduced nausea and morning sickness
- Easier and faster labor and delivery
- Reduced need for a cesarean section
- Improved sleep quantity and quality
- Faster recovery time after delivery
Clearly, there are lots of reasons for pregnant women to seek out chiropractic care. Who doesn’t want better sleep, less pain, and an easier delivery?
Should Any Pregnant Women Avoid Chiropractic Care?
There are many benefits to prenatal chiropractic care. But, it isn’t recommended for some pregnant women.
Women who are experiencing the following issues ought to steer clear of chiropractic care:
- Vaginal bleeding
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Placental abruption
- Moderate-to-severe blood toxicity
If you aren’t affected by any of these conditions, chiropractic adjustments are most likely safe for you. Of course, you should still talk to your doctor and get the all-clear from him or her before you schedule your first adjustment.
What to Expect During a Prenatal Adjustment
At this point, you’re probably convinced that prenatal chiropractic care could be good for you. But, you might also be a bit nervous about having your spine cracked by a stranger.
It’s totally normal to feel a bit of anxiety before your first prenatal chiropractic appointment, but knowing what to expect can help ease your fears and help you feel calmer.
Every prenatal chiropractic visit is a bit different, of course. But, in most cases, your first visit and adjustment will go something like this:
- When you first arrive, you’ll fill out some paperwork regarding your insurance, medical history, and current symptoms (just like you would at any other doctor’s office)
- Once you’ve finished filling out these forms, you’ll be taken to a private treatment room
- The chiropractor will come in and talk to you more about your symptoms, and what you can expect from the adjustment
- The chiropractor will perform a series of tests, including checking your vital signs and taking x-rays to get a look at your spinal alignment
- You’ll receive a report of their findings and an outline of what your treatment may look like
At this point, if you decide you want to continue treatment, your chiropractor will begin the actual adjustment portion of the visit. Pregnant women lie on their side during the adjustment — which only takes a few minutes and should be totally painless — to avoid putting pressure on the abdomen.
Your first appointment is typically quite a bit longer than the subsequent appointments. Once the chiropractor has all this information, they’ll be able to get you in, adjust you, and get you out.
In addition to the adjustments, your chiropractor may recommend you do some stretches or gentle exercises at home to help minimize your discomfort in between visits.
How Often Should I Go to the Chiropractor?
There’s no set number of visits you should make to the chiropractor during your pregnancy.
In most cases, though, the chiropractor will recommend going more frequently in the beginning and tapering off as your pregnancy progresses. For example, you might go three times per week during the first month or so, then work your way down to biweekly visits as your due date approaches.
Most women determine the number of visits they’ll make based on what they can afford and what their insurance will cover.
When you’re searching for a prenatal chiropractor, be sure to check and make sure they’re covered by your health insurance (if possible). This will help to offset the cost and ensure you can go as often as you need.
Finding the Right Prenatal Chiropractor
In addition to making sure they take your insurance, there are some other steps you should take to find the right prenatal chiropractor for your needs.
When you’re trying to find a good prenatal chiropractor, keep these guidelines in mind:
- Ask for recommendations from friends, family, your doctor, or your midwife/ doula
- Make sure they’re properly certified and have experience working with pregnant women — you can usually find this information on their website; view here for an example
- Ask about their care plan and the type of patients they typically see
- Ask about the other support mechanisms they use to keep pregnant women comfortable
It’s also a good idea to make sure they’re conveniently located. That way, you can easily get to multiple appointments.
Want to Learn More About Having a Healthy Pregnancy?
As you can see, the answer to the question, “Can I go to the chiropractor while pregnant?” is a resounding yes!
Now that you know that you can safely visit the chiropractor (and reap some awesome benefits as a result), it’s time to make your first prenatal chiropractic appointment.
Are you interested in learning more information on having a safe and healthy pregnancy? If so, we’ve got resources for you.
Start by reading this article on exercising safely while pregnant.
