Finding out you’re pregnant can stir up a whirlwind of emotions. Whether it’s a long-awaited positive pregnancy test or a complete surprise, your mind can feel like it’s racing at 1000 miles per hour. “Is it a boy or girl?! How will my body handle this? Who should I call first with the good news? How will we announce it on Instagram? What about the nursery? Will they go to private or public school? When do we start a college fund???” The list of thoughts, questions, and decisions seems never-ending.
Take a deep breath. You’ve got this!
Before the whirlwind takes over, let’s focus on two important questions to ask yourself first:
“What kind of pregnancy do I want?”
“Who is going to help me achieve that?”
In this article, we’ll explore the transformative power of Prenatal Chiropractic Care, dive into common (but not normal) pregnancy symptoms, and discuss how we can help create a healthier, more empowered pregnancy for both mom and baby.
What is Prenatal Chiropractic?
Prenatal Chiropractic is a specialized form of chiropractic care that supports both mom and baby throughout the pregnancy journey. It focuses on two key elements:
- Safe, gentle, and effective adjustments: These adjustments help relax mom’s nervous system, create space for the growing baby, and prepare her body for a natural birth and optimal transition into motherhood.
- A supportive, empowering environment: We provide a space where expecting moms and dads can ask tough questions, access valuable resources, and feel confident as they move through their journey.
What sets our approach apart is that we don’t just focus on structural-based chiropractic care; we take a deeper, neurologically-focused approach. The umbilical cord connecting baby to mom does more than transport oxygen and nutrients – it’s a neurological power cord that links mom’s nervous system to baby’s, which is why it’s crucial that both systems stay healthy and clear of interference.
In today’s world, where stress, tension, and anxiety are at an all-time high, Neurologically-Focused Prenatal Chiropractic Care plays a vital role in keeping both mom and baby’s nervous systems healthy, calm, and balanced throughout pregnancy.
Common Pregnancy Symptoms: What’s Normal and What’s Not?
During pregnancy, the body undergoes significant changes, and these changes often bring along symptoms like morning sickness, fatigue, heartburn, pelvic discomfort, lower back pain, and postural imbalances. But the real question is: are these symptoms normal, or are they signs of something deeper?
The nervous system is the master control center of the body, and during pregnancy, it has to do double duty – regulating not only mom’s body, but also her baby’s. The autonomic nervous system (ANS), which controls involuntary functions, plays a crucial role during this time.
When your nervous system is balanced and well-regulated, it promotes better blood flow, immune function, and hormonal regulation. But when it’s out of balance? You may experience stress, fatigue, hormonal imbalances, and even more serious pregnancy-related complications.
Stress, Subluxation, and Pregnancy
An imbalanced or stressed nervous system can lead to subluxation, a condition that causes the body to stay in sympathetic dominance, or “fight-or-flight.” This heightened stress response can lead to:
- Elevated blood pressure
- Decreased blood flow to the placenta
- Complications with fetal development
With stress levels higher than ever, this ongoing strain creates a “perfect storm” – a vicious cycle of tension, anxiety, and increasing health issues. This can impact back pain, sciatica, neck pain, headaches, and even baby positioning in the womb.
Drug-Free Solutions for Pregnancy Challenges
Although many expectant moms try various remedies like medications, physical therapies, or home remedies, these options often only address the symptoms and don’t get to the root cause. Neurologically-Focused Prenatal Chiropractic Care is designed to help you manage stress, reduce symptoms, and optimize your nervous system, promoting a healthier pregnancy.
The Power of HRV: Measuring Your Nervous System Health
In the past few years, we’ve been excited to offer cutting-edge technology that measures your nervous system health throughout pregnancy – Heart Rate Variability (HRV). HRV measures the time between heartbeats and is a key indicator of how well your autonomic nervous system is functioning.
- Higher HRV: Signifies a healthy, adaptable nervous system.
- Lower HRV: Indicates a stressed nervous system, potentially leading to complications.
HRV helps us track your progress, measure the health of your parasympathetic nervous system, and make adjustments to keep your pregnancy on the path to optimal health. It’s a game-changer in prenatal care!
Complete Care with INSiGHT Scans
Along with HRV, we use INSiGHT Scans, which provide a deeper look into your nervous system’s function and how it’s affecting your pregnancy. These scans help us create a personalized care plan, based on your unique needs, and track your progress throughout your pregnancy.
We also use two additional tests – NeuroThermal and NeuroSensory EMG – to gain a full picture of how your nervous system is functioning and how we can best support you during your pregnancy journey.
How Can Prenatal Chiropractic Help You?
Through our focused care, we aim to reduce stress, improve sleep, enhance digestion, and help reduce common pregnancy symptoms. Our approach targets the Vagus Nerve and Parasympathetic Nervous System, which are crucial for growth, development, and relaxation. As we progress through each trimester, we see significant improvements in:
- Energy levels
- Pain reduction
- Better sleep quality
- More focus and clarity
When mom’s nervous system is in balance, baby benefits too. Better nervous system regulation leads to improved baby positioning, reduced risk of interventions, and often a quicker, smoother delivery.
