Pregnancy is a time of amazing physical and emotional changes for a woman. Chiropractic care offers a safe, natural, and effective way to help women and their bodies accommodate the miracle of life within. Read on to learn more about the bodily changes during pregnancy, and how chiropractic care can help!
Bodily Changes During Pregnancy
It’s no secret that a pregnant woman’s body goes through incredible changes throughout pregnancy. Some changes are noticeable, like the growing belly. Others are far more subtle. The process of pregnancy and childbirth is a miracle! All of the changes that occur in the body take place in order to prepare the body for labor, and to help the sweet baby develop.
Respiratory System Changes
A woman’s respiratory system changes throughout pregnancy to help the growing baby. Her respiratory rate will increase in order to compensate for the increase in oxygen consumption. This increased need for oxygen helps supply the demands for the uterus, placenta, and fetus. It is also what causes some pregnancy women to feel out of breath.
Cardiovascular System Changes
A woman’s cardiovascular system also changes throughout pregnancy. Blood volume increases. More blood vessels grow. Pressure from the growing uterus on large veins makes blood slow in its return to the heart. The resting heart rate is also elevated.
Gastrointestinal System Changes
As the uterus grows, it forces other organs to move. The stomach, intestines, and other surrounding organs shift positions. This often creates reflux, heartburn, and even constipation.
Endocrine System Changes
It is common knowledge that there are major hormone changes during pregnancy. The endocrine system is what is in charge of the body’s hormones! Throughout pregnancy, many changes in this system take place.
The placenta creates a large amount of estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy. Pregnant women also may feel warmer due to increased hormones and basal metabolic rate. Near the end of pregnancy, oxytocin is produced by the body to start labor.
Abdomen Changes
During the second trimester, the woman’s abdomen expands. By the end of the second trimester, the top of the uterus is near the rib cage. Throughout pregnancy, a woman’s abdomen may ache. This is often due to the stretching of ligaments and abdominal wall.
Changes in Body Weight
On average, a woman typically gains between 25-35 pounds throughout pregnancy. This weight is generally contributed to:
- Fetus and Support Tissues and Fluids
- Baby 6-8 pounds
- Placenta 1-2 pounds
- Uterus 1-2 pounds
- Amniotic Fluid 2-3 pounds
- Maternal Fluids and Storage
- Breast 1-2 pounds
- Blood 3-4 pounds
- Protein and Fat 8-10 pounds
- Body Fluids 3-4 pounds
5 Benefits of Chiropractic During Pregnancy
#1 Chiropractic Keeps the Spine in Alignment
Pregnancy and its changes put added stress on a woman’s body. Some of this stress is due to the increased weight put on in a short amount of time. This weight gain is important for helping to sustain human life! However, it places pressure on the spine, often pulling it out of alignment.
When the spine is out of alignment, significant pain can occur. The spine houses the body’s nervous system. The nervous system controls every single function in the body. A misaligned spine not only causes pain, it interferes with the body’s ability to function as it should.
Chiropractic care throughout pregnancy helps keep the spine in alignment. This helps the the body to function optimally. It also helps prevent pain for the expectant mother. Chiropractic helps the mother be better prepared and able to support the additional weight.
#2 Chiropractic Reduces Need for Pain Relievers
With the miracle of life, comes potential aches and pains as the body changes and the baby grows. Chiropractic offers pregnant women a safe, natural, and effective way to treat these aches and pains.
Through chiropractic adjustments, Dr. Dee at Healing Hands Chiropractic can identify the underlying cause of the pain. By treating the pain at its source, there is no need for over the counter or prescription pain relievers! Chiropractic care will identify the source of the pain, and correct it, naturally.
#3 Chiropractic Strengthens and Repairs Joints
Pregnancy causes a lot of changes and shifts in a woman’s joints. Chiropractic care for expectant women helps minimize the effects that the bodily changes can have on a woman’s joints.
Often, pregnant women report pain in the hips, legs, ankles, and back. Dr. Dee can identify the source of these aches and pains. By performing necessary adjustments, Dr. Dee can help strengthen the pregnant woman’s body and repair joints. This will help her have a healthier and happier pregnancy!
#4 Chiropractic Helps Achieve Pelvis Alignment
Having a properly aligned pelvis plays a huge role in an easy birth! In fact, it greatly increases the chances of being able to give birth naturally. The American Pregnancy Association states, “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.”
Dr. Dee at Healing Hands Chiropractic can help align the pelvis before delivery. This will help both mom and baby have less interventions during delivery.
#5 Chiropractic Increases the Body’s Ability to Recover
The healthier and stronger a woman is throughout pregnancy, the easier it is for her body to recover after birth. Chiropractic can help women stay active and healthy throughout their pregnancy. This makes the recovery time post childbirth shorter.
Chiropractic care helps reduce pain and increase the overall health of pregnant women. This leads to a stronger body, and shorter recovery times. Ultimately, this allows the new mother to focus on the amazing life she just brought into the world!
Healing Hands Chiropractic Can Help
If you are pregnant and interested in the amazing benefits of chiropractic for both you and baby, call Healing Hands Chiropractic today! Dr. Dee and her amazing staff would love to help. Reach us via phone at 615.203.3505. You may also contact us online here. We look forward to hearing from you!
