Supporting a Thriving Pregnancy
At some point in our lives, we've all been close to a pregnant person. Whether it's you, a loved one, or even your own mother, pregnancy is a significant life event. At Soul Aura Chiropractic, we have unique insights on pregnancy that we'd like to share with you!
In this month's blog, we'll explore pregnancy from a chiropractic perspective. Whether you're aiming to enhance your fertility, are currently pregnant and seeking body support, or have just welcomed a baby and need postnatal care, this is essential reading for you.
Even if pregnancy isn't on your radar, this information could benefit someone you care about - who is the first person that pops into your mind? Whoever it is - send this blog to them!
Ah, pregnancy—a remarkable and often mysterious journey. For your body to conceive and nurture a baby for nine months, it's crucial to maintain healthy alignment. Proper alignment is vital for a smoother birthing process and for restoring balance post-pregnancy.
This blog will cover the importance of chiropractic care before (prenatal), during (antenatal), and after (postnatal) pregnancy. We’ll also share exercises to alleviate pain and strengthen your core during these stages.
Ready to dive in? Let’s go!
The Prenatal Stage:
The prenatal phase is critical for conception. Nowadays, fertility challenges are more openly discussed, and they can be influenced by lifestyle factors like stress, toxins, and pollutants. While some turn to naturopaths or fertility specialists, chiropractic care can also play a significant role.
Ensuring your body is in alignment can enhance your overall health, optimize organ function, and improve nervous system signaling, which in turn supports hormonal balance. This synergy creates a more conducive environment for conception.
When the systems of your body are communicating better with each other, things like hormone levels are more optimal - making conception more likely!
The Antenatal Stage:
Congratulations, you’re pregnant! The antenatal stage encompasses various phases of pregnancy:
- First Trimester: Hormonal changes, especially increased progesterone, can slow digestion and affect posture, often leading to nausea.
- Second Trimester: The baby's growth becomes more noticeable, shifting your center of gravity and potentially causing back pain.
- Third Trimester: This period involves significant baby growth, often resulting in the "pregnancy waddle" and, very commonly, a whole lot of back pain. However, chiropractic care can help maintain spinal alignment, alleviate unnecessary pressure on vertebrae, improve nerve function, and reduce neck and back pain. It also provides more room for the baby to move into an optimal birthing position.
The Postnatal Stage:
Post-birth, your body undergoes significant changes. Weight distribution shifts from the abdomen to the chest due to baby holding and breastfeeding, altering your center of gravity and potentially impacting posture.
Exercises you can apply TODAY - these are great no matter where you are in your pregnancy journey:
1. **Chin Tuck:** Sit or stand upright, tuck your chin back, hold for 5 seconds, and repeat 10 times (especially great for the postpartum phase where your posture is a lot more likely to by hunched, from breastfeeding and crooning over your gorgeous baby!)
2. **Door Frame Stretch:** Place palms on a doorframe, lean forward to open your chest and squeeze shoulder blades together. Hold for 10 deep breaths. (Once again, this one is great to counteract the postpartum hunch, it gets your chest opened back up)
3. **Shoulder Rolls:** Lift shoulders to ears, push back, and lower slowly. Hold each position for 5 seconds, repeat 10 times. (Powerful in helping reset your posture throughout every chapter)
4. **Knee Squeeze:**this one is great for stabilising your hips, before, during and after pregnancy!
Lay on your back with knees up and feet together. Press your knees together for 5 seconds, relax for 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times, twice a day..
Recap:
Chiropractic care benefits all stages of pregnancy. It aids in conception, supports pregnancy, and alleviates postnatal discomfort. Keeping the body in alignment can help prevent spinal and pelvic pain and support overall well-being.
If you’re on the pregnancy journey or considering it—or know someone who is—contact us to learn how chiropractic care can support your unique needs!
