Pregnancy is such a memorable time in a woman’s life. Growing and carrying a baby is something that can only be explained as a beautiful miracle, but what if I told you there is a way to make pregnancy an even more beautiful experience? What if I told you there’s something that can help pregnant moms achieve the healthiest, safest pregnancy possible, and it’s something that many of them don’t even know about?
The “something” I’m referring to is receiving chiropractic care during pregnancy.
You’re most likely thinking I am making this recommendation because of the lovely aches and pains we women sometimes endure throughout our pregnancies. Yes and no. Lower back pain, sciatica, and headaches are all conditions that benefit greatly from chiropractic care, whether pregnant or not, but that’s just skimming the surface on how chiropractic can benefit moms to be.
Chiropractic care focuses on the alignment of the spine, pelvis, and hips in order to prepare the body for labor and delivery. Would you ever run a marathon without making sure your body is ready? Of course not. So, why would you try to have a baby without preparing your body?
As women, our bodies are designed for childbirth. We don’t have to push a special “I’m pregnant” button when the time comes. Hormones are released to relax our ligaments and our hips begin to expand to create space for the little miracle that is growing. In a perfect world, we would stay in perfect alignment throughout the entire nine months, but our centers of gravity are shifted and our posture, in turn, compensates for that shift. The ligament laxity that is necessary for pregnancy and birth also results in an unavoidable instability of the spine, sacrum, and hips. When you pair that with abnormal sleeping habits and variations in our gait and other movements, it’s easy to see how a pregnant mom’s body can become easily misaligned.
Pelvic and sacral misalignments can cause major disruption in the body of a pregnant woman. In addition to the discomfort that can sometimes result, if the baby has limited space within the uterus, he or she may not be able to get into the ideal position for delivery. This can inhibit the mom’s ability to have the birth she desires, along with other unwanted complications.
The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment that reduces interference to the nervous system and balances maternal pelvic muscles and ligaments. This, in turn, reduces torsion in the uterus, a cause of intra-uterine constraint of the baby, and allows for optimal fetal positioning in preparation for birth.
Chiropractors can choose to take additional training to become certified in the Webster Technique, which was one of the first things on my “to do” list after graduating from chiropractic school.
I am not the only one endorsing chiropractic care for pregnant women. The American Pregnancy Association lists the following benefits for chiropractic care during pregnancy based on scientific research:
- 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
As a mom of three myself, chiropractic care was essential throughout my pregnancies. I moved better, I felt better, and my body was well prepared when my babies decided it was time to make their debut. I had three beautiful home births, and my birth experiences have made me even more passionate about helping other moms prepare for and achieve the births they desire.
Pregnancy is a memorable time in a woman’s life, and I believe it was meant to be enjoyed. Enjoy it even more with the addition of chiropractic care.
DR. KRISTIN MARCHMAN, ESSENTIAL WELLNESS CHIROPRACTIC – HEALTH & WELLNESS EDITOR
Dr. Kristin Marchman is excited to serve the Cumming community and assist in educating about health and wellness. As a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association and Georgia Birth Network, Dr. Marchman is dedicated to providing optimal health to her patients through chiropractic care. She is certified in the Webster Technique for pregnant women, a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment that reduces interference to the nervous system and balances maternal pelvic muscles and ligaments. This, in turn, reduces torsion in the uterus, a cause of intra-uterine constraint of the baby, and allows for optimal fetal positioning in preparation for birth.
While Dr. Marchman specializes in pregnant women, children, and athletes, she welcomes patients of all ages and from all walks of life. Dr. Marchman has a passion for serving others and cannot imagine doing anything else. Outside of the office, she an active member of Browns Bridge Church and the Cumming-Forsyth Chamber of Commerce. She spends her free time staying active and spending time with her husband Tyler, two sons Tanner and Brody, and daughter Keelie.
Connect with Dr. Marchman Online: Website | Facebook
Office Phone: 470.522.7801
