In
writing this today, a number of my beautiful patients are awaiting the
arrival of new additions to their families. Adjusting women through
pregnancy is one of the most rewarding parts of our practice, because a
healthier pregnancy means an easier labor and delivery, and a better
transition for the baby into this life.
One of my patients, a young woman told me the story of the traumatic birth
of her son, and the subsequent eight years of poor health he has suffered
as a result. She was unaware that Chiropractic Care through pregnancy
would have given him a better start, and angry that she didn't know this
prior to her son's conception. I promised her I would continue to
educate the general public more with her assistance. This article is
dedicated to all ladies who want to seek Optimal Health for them self and
all the children for the intent that this information will prevent another
mother and child years of ill health.
Chiropractic Care through pregnancy is not only safe, it is essential. We
can look at the implications of subluxation from a bio- mechanical,
hormonal and neurological standpoint. It is easy for all of us to see
postural changes through pregnancy-the centre of gravity changes, the
weight of the baby places increased pressure on the spine and pelvis, and
towards the end of the pregnancy, changes are seen in gait pattern-the
"waddle." What we can't see, are the millions of different hormonal
changes and chemical reactions occurring both in the mother and the
developing baby--all of which are controlled and coordinated through the
nervous system.
Adjustments result in easier pregnancy, significantly decreased mean labor
time, and assists new mothers back to prepartum health. In one study,
women receiving Chiropractic Care through their first pregnancy had 24%
shorter labor times than the group not receiving Chiropractic, and
multiparous subjects reported 39% shorter labor times. Thirty-nine
percent-that's a massive difference. In addition, 84% of women report
relief of back pain during pregnancy with Chiropractic care. Because the
sacroiliac joints of the pelvis function better, there is significant less
likelihood of back labor when receiving Chiropractic Care through
pregnancy.
Body position during delivery is also critical. Any late second stage
labor position that denies postural sacral rotation denies the mother and
the baby critical pelvic outlet diameter and jams the tip of the sacrum up
to 4cm into the pelvic outlet. In other words, the popular semi-recumbent
position places the laboring woman on her back onto the apex of the
sacrum, which closes off the vital space needed for the baby to get
through the pelvic outlet.
This delivery position is the main reason why so many births are
traumatic-labor is stalled, the mom becomes fatigued and overwhelmed by
pain, so the utilization of epidurals, forceps, episiotomy, vacuum
extraction and cesarian increases. Just consider the analogy my husband
uses-how hard would it be to have a bowel movement while lying on your
back? You're right, very hard, and it may not happen. This is why
squatting is the preferred position-gravity works to help and the pelvic
outlet can open to a greater degree. Squatting during delivery results in
decreased use of forceps and a shorter second stage of labor than the
semi-recumbent position.
Greater complications during delivery result in greater neurological
insult to the newborn due to injury to the head and neck. Even after
vaginal births, 4.6% of term neonates suffer unexplained brain bleeds and
10% suffer neonatal encephalopathy. Because so many children had been
injured with forceps deliveries, (facial nerve palsy, tearing of cervical
spine musculature) vacuum extraction was developed. Suction cups are
placed on the newborn's head, and the baby is literally sucked out of the
mother.
When utilized, 120 pounds of pressure goes through the baby's head and
neck. Decapitation occurs at 140 pounds of pressure, to give you an idea
of the high forces involved. Remember when you were a little girl or boy
and there was a new baby you were being introduced to? Our parents always
said, "Watch his head-you don't want to hurt him." We're careful because
the fontanelles of the skull are so pliable, and the neck and brain are
fragile and unprotected. This is why so many babies sustain injuries to
their heads and neck during vacuum extraction-the force is far greater
than their little bodies can tolerate.
Adjustments to newborns contain only ounces of force. But that force is
directed into the spine to facilitate health and remove subluxations. We
adjust babies as soon after birth as possible, to alleviate subluxations
caused by in-utero constraint and the journey down through the birth
canal. There has been a lot in the media lately about children not needing
Chiropractic Care, but there is no better way to get a head start in life.
As you all know, Chiropractic Care is not a cure for anything-it is a
system of wellness to help us be who we're supposed to be. It is not a
cure for ear infections, for colic, for allergies, for asthma, for
frequent colds, nor for ADD/ADHD. In my twenty-seven years of practice and
thousands of cases I and been able to share this beautiful blessing of
pregnancy and new born healthy children has been touching experience.
When we listen to mothers' stories of their pregnancy, labor and delivery,
the children who suffer the most from the above complaints, are the ones
who've had the greatest trouble with their births. Even relatively easy
deliveries can result in subluxations. That's why every child should be
checked, before problems with their health even develop. That's preventive
care in the truest sense-preventing subluxations in mothers to prevent
subluxations in their babies during childbirth. This is why every woman
needs Chiropractic Care through pregnancy-so that the arrival of their
baby and/or babies is a "wonderful experience", as many of my patients
have told me that every woman should know the benefits of this type of
care.
You will be given a convenient
appointment time for your visit. Patients are seen within 1-2
days and are provided with a complete review of Report of Findings.
Health care options for your particular pregnancy needs will also be discussed in detail
during this time.
The doctors and staff have
dedicated themselves to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are on call
and will make house calls to our patients at anytime throughout the day or
night to keep you and your family "Naturally Healthy!!!"
