Pain during pregnancy is common, in fact about 50% of pregnant women will experience it. It is usually most noticeable in the lower back and pelvis.
During pregnancy, the spine and pelvis will shift and change to accommodate for the growing baby. The increased weight will increase your natural forward bend, which leads to changes in posture. To reverse the more forward bend, most start to lean backwards putting an extra strain on lower back muscles causing pain and soreness.
During pregnancy, a hormone called relaxin is produced to support the stretching of the tendons and ligaments. This causes the structure of the pelvis to be more prone to structural shifts. These structural shifts in the pelvis will make it difficult for the baby to get in the best possible position for birth.
Chiropractic care during pregnancy may be beneficial. Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment that reduces interference to the nerve system and facilitates biomechanical balance in pelvic structures, muscles and ligaments.
If the mother has sacral and/or pelvic subluxations these could be altering the space in the pelvis and if corrected may allow the fetus to assume a more normal position. Sacral subluxation may contribute to difficult labor for the mother (i.e., dystocia). Dystocia is caused by inadequate uterine function, pelvic contraction, and baby malpresentation. The correction of sacral subluxation may have a positive effect on all of these causes of dystocia.
In this clinical framework, it is proposed that sacral misalignment may contribute to these three primary causes of dystocia via uterine nerve interference, pelvic misalignment and the tightening and torsion of specific pelvic muscles and ligaments. The resulting tense muscles and ligaments and their aberrant effect on the uterus may prevent the baby from comfortably assuming the best possible position for birth.
According to researchers the nervous system controls and coordinates all functions of the body and structural shifts in the spine can occur that obstruct the nerves and interfere with their function. By removing the structural shifts, chiropractic improves nerve supply and function.
Chiropractic & Successful Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Section
The 40-year-old woman reported on in this study was 33 weeks pregnant with her fourth child. She had pain localized to the sacrum, pelvis, and hips. She had one miscarriage and two previous cesarean sections. The pain was present with all her movements and she could not find any relief. In addition to coping with various stress, she is a stay-at-home mother, and also worked many hours a week.
The chiropractor examined her and found structural shifts in her neck, mid back, and sacrum. Restrictions, pain, and tenderness were also noted throughout her spine. These structural shifts can lead to obstruction of the nerves and it is this obstruction, that chiropractors correct.
Following chiropractic care, she experienced improvement in overall function. Her pain and muscle spasms decreased. She went into spontaneous labor and was able to have a successful vaginal birth, avoiding another cesarean section.
The study’s author called for additional research to investigate the clinical implications of chiropractic in this population.
Reference
Successful Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Section in a 40-Year-Old Female Utilizing Chiropractic & the Webster Technique: A Case Study & Review of the Literature. Alexandra Swenson, BA, DC & Jennifer Acevedo, DC. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, Chiropractic ~ Volume 2022