Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy in Olympia WA

Pregnancy is such a magical and happy time for expecting moms. At Evergreen Family Chiropractic we are privileged to be able to help expecting moms throughout the pregnancy and get through the not so wonderful aches and pains that distract from this wonderful experience. Let me start by saying that, when done by a trained chiropractor, adjustments on pregnant women are very safe and very beneficial. A mom's body goes through a lot of changes, not just emotionally but physically as well. So let's discuss how pregnancy in Olympia WA.

What's changing during pregnancy in Olympia WA?

From the moment of conception a mom's body begins to be flooded with different hormones. These hormones cause her body to begin making changes to adapt to the stresses that will be placed on her. Hormones begin to increase blood flow throughout mom's body. They also aid in the development in the uterus to grow from the size of a pear (not pregnant) to a size that can accommodate a full term baby. The increase in size of the uterus puts stress on the internal organs around it which will cause some discomfort.

Two big hormones that make important changes are Progesterone and Relaxin. Among other things, these hormones are responsible for causing mom's ligaments and cartilage within her joints, to loosen up. This is primarily meant to help the pelvis wider and looser in order to accommodate the growing baby. These two hormones also cause the ligaments throughout mom's body to loosen up, not just the pelvis. This can leave mom vulnerable to strains and sprains. This does not mean that mom has to lay down all day. If mom is otherwise healthy, it is important for her to get mild activity. Activity level should be discussed with mom's OB/GYN.

Why is chiropractic care during pregnancy important?

During all these changes that mom's body is making, regular chiropractic care is important to make sure that mom's body can handle the stress. As ligaments become more loose, it is important to make sure joints stay aligned. As the baby grows inside mom, the increased weight on mom's front side is going to put a lot of strain on the muscles and joints on mom's spine, especially on the lower back. As breast tissue enlarges in preparation for producing milk, mom's upper back will begin to feel strained.  At Evergreen Family Chiropractic we use manual therapy techniques to make sure that mom's muscles can adapt to the new strains placed on them. Through gentle adjustments chiropractors can help keep mom's joints aligned and functioning properly. The benefits of chiropractic care don't stop there. As mom is able to adapt to everything, she will more energetic and overall happiness and health.

It is very important for mom to get treated by a chiropractor regularly from the very start of pregnancy. It's a lot easier to prevent issues than it is to correct them. After mom gives birth, it is still important to regularly see a chiropractor in order to help mom's body make the changes back to how she was before pregnancy. If you are a mom, come visit us at Evergreen Family Chiropractic in Olympia WA and let us help you have a happy and healthy pregnancy.