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The Shift

As your belly grows and the weight begins to get heavier and shift positions, it is not uncommon (but not normal) to begin to experience pain. As many new mothers can attest, the muscle strains of pregnancy are genuine and can be more than just a nuisance. The average weight gain of 25 to 35 pounds, combined with the increased stress placed on the body by the baby, may result in severe discomfort. Studies have found that about half of all expectant mothers will develop low-back pain at some point during their pregnancies.  This is especially true during late pregnancy, when the baby’s head presses down on a woman’s back, legs, and buttocks, irritating her sciatic nerve. And for those who already suffer from low-back pain, the problem can become even worse.  Ensuring that your pelvis is in correct alignment, less stress and pressure is placed on your spine, and also results in a shorter labor time!

Sometimes We Need A Little Help…

Intrauterine Constraint

What is intrauterine constraint? Intrauterine constraint is defined as any forces external to the developing fetus that obstruct the fetus’s normal movement. Intrauterine constraint can prevent the developing fetus from attaining a head-down vertex position and achieving a normal vaginal birth. When this occurs, it can be addressed with a safe, effective, and natural solution such as The Webster Technique.

The Webster Technique

The official definition of the Webster Technique as taught by the ICPA Certification program is as follows: “The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment that reduces interference to the nerve 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.”

Chiropractic care benefits all aspects of your body’s ability to be healthy. This is accomplished by working with the nervous system–the communication system between your brain and body—Doctors of Chiropractic work to correct spinal, pelvic, and cranial misalignments (subluxations). When misaligned, these structures create an imbalance in surrounding muscles and ligaments. Additionally, the resulting nerve system stress may affect the body’s ability to function optimally.

Sacral and Pelvic misalignments cause the tightening and torsion of specific pelvic muscles and ligaments. These tense muscles and ligaments tighten the round ligaments of the uterus and abdominal muscles and their constraining effects on the uterus, which prevent the baby from comfortably assuming the best possible position for birth. The Webster Technique reduces interference to the nerve system and facilitates biomechanical balance in pelvic structures, muscles, and ligaments. This has been shown to reduce the effects of intrauterine constraint, allowing the baby to get into the best possible birth position.

The Webster Technique is a safe means to restore proper pelvic balance and function for pregnant mothers. In expectant mothers presenting breech, there has been a high reported success rate of the baby turning to the normal vertex position once the interference has been removed. The Webster Technique has been successfully used in women whose babies present transverse and posterior as well. It has also been successfully used with twins. Any position of the baby other than ROA may indicate sacral subluxation and, therefore, intrauterine constraint.

Delivering Great Results

Many pregnant women have found that chiropractic adjustments provide relief from the increased low-back pain brought on by pregnancy. Chiropractic manipulation is safe throughout your pregnancy for you and your unborn child. In addition, it can be beautiful to those trying to avoid medications in treating their back pain. Doctors of chiropractic can also offer nutrition, ergonomic, and exercise advice to help you enjoy a healthy pregnancy.

Chiropractic care can also help after childbirth. In the eight weeks following labor and delivery, the ligaments that loosened during pregnancy begin to tighten up again. Ideally, joint problems brought on during pregnancy from improper lifting or reaching should be treated before the ligaments return to their pre-pregnancy state to prevent muscle tension, headaches, rib discomfort, and shoulder problems.

If you are expecting or thinking of having a baby, it makes perfect sense to have a checkup by a Chiropractor so you can experience the benefits of a healthier pregnancy, shorter labor time, and more restful nights.