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Alright, show of hands... Have you ever suffered (or are you currently suffering) from any of these problems during pregnancy? -Reflux -Carpal Tunnel -Sciatica -Dizziness -Constipation -Hemorrhoids -Headaches -Back and hip pain -Round Ligament Pain -Pubic Symphysis Pain -Coccyx Pain -Difficulty Sleeping I'm guessing every woman who has ever had a baby is holding her hand up right now, am I right? In our society today, we have normalized the idea that pregnancy is just painful and uncomfortable and generally just unpleasant. But what if I told you, it doesn't have to be that way? What if I told you there was a way to help reduce many of those symptoms and, in some cases, eliminate them altogether?
What are some of the benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy? Decreased stress, stronger immune system, increased blood flow to the baby, reduction of hormonal symptoms such as nausea and fatigue, reduction in labor time, avoidance or reduction of common pregnancy complaints such as reflux, carpal tunnel, sciatica, dizziness, and constipation, and giving the baby the maximum amount of space to move and rotate. Everyone experiences pregnancy differently so the adjustments we do will depend on what's going on with the individual mom! When is the ideal time to begin getting adjusted in pregnancy? The most ideal time is before you get pregnant! Starting pregnancy with your body in a state of wellness sets you up for the healthiest pregnancy possible. The next best time to start is today! Don't let your pain get crippling before you seek care. Take action right away and end the suffering. We also take proactive measures to prevent intrauterine constraint and focus on getting your pelvis ready for labor. Pregnancy should feel amazing! How often should a patient get adjustments during pregnancy? This is super dependent on your state of health and your goals. If you are super healthy and want to get your body and nervous system ready for labor, your adjustments will probably be once a week. If you're in pain and there is stress on your nervous system, you may start at a few times a week. Pregnancy has a finish line, so it also depends on how much time you have left in the pregnancy. If you come in with big goals and only a few weeks or a month left, we will see you much more often than if you came in with those same goals at 20 weeks.  Is it ever too late to start getting adjusted? Well, if you're in labor already... Your body takes time to heal. You can see improvements with a few adjustments, but there are limitations to what we can get done in a short amount of time. It's better to start earlier and make sure there's enough time to reach your goals. What should an expecting mother look for or ask when searching for the right chiropractor? Ask if pregnancy is a main focus of their office. We all took that one pregnancy adjusting class in school. You want a doctor who has gone above and beyond with their education geared around pregnancy and post-natal care. Also, you want a doctor who has the right tools and equipment to accommodate your growing belly!  Getting to lay on my belly in these pillows was the highlight of my adjustments during pregnancy! What should someone expect when they come to see you for care during pregnancy? What does a typical visit look like? We always start by assessing your nervous system and adjusting your spine. These adjustments may be with our hands, using the table's drops, or using an adjusting instrument. The type of adjustment we utilize all depends on your body and your comfort level. All the adjustments we do are completely safe for you and your baby! As we adjust, we take a look at important soft tissue structures on your back, around your pelvis, and in your belly. Releasing tight and stiff muscles can be the key to not only helping you hold your adjustments, but also to help in reducing any tension on your uterus. We look at not only the soft tissue connecting the bones and uterus but also any soft tissue around the pelvis that could prevent it from opening symmetrical. Having not only the hard tissue but also the soft tissue alignment can help reduce labor times by making sure that baby engages the cervix symmetrically. Everything is super gentle - not painful - and we explain and discuss everything with you as you go.
What about postpartum? What are the benefits of continuing care after birth? How soon after birth can a mother begin getting adjusted again? I always joke with moms that after you have the baby, everything has to "fall back" into your pre-pregnancy position. Although, if you've been through this postpartum stage, you know that things never go back to the same place. Adjustments do help your body recover and find balance again after you bring your little baby into the world. Helping your body realign after nine months of really big changes can be a game changer for some women. A lot of postpartum women tell me that they recover faster and easier than their pregnancies where they didn't have chiropractic care afterwards. This is also a great time to get the new little baby checked too. Birth is super stressful, not only on mom, but on our tiny babies too. Getting your kiddo checked early can help them avoid problems later. You can get adjusted as soon as you feel ready to come into the office after having your baby. I have women wait anywhere from four days to up to two weeks to come in and get their next adjustment. I personally know I was adjusted the day I gave birth and so was my baby!  A huge thank you to Dr. Angela for taking the time to answer my questions! I highly recommend her and her husband, Dr. Chris, if you're currently searching for a chiropractor for your family. Their office is located in West Ashley and my whole family has come to love their practice.
And if you take anything from this interview, let it be this: DON'T WAIT! I'm one of those people that waited until I was suffering every day before seeking help. I wish I had taken action sooner and saved myself the pain!
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