Chiropractic for pregnancy.

Changes in Your Body During Pregnancy.

Your body undergoes lots of changes during pregnancy to prepare for baby growth within the womb and eventual childbirth. This section will only include anatomical changes (the list will be too long otherwise!).

  1. Weight Gain

  2. Increase in abdominal mass

  3. Widening of hips & rib cage

  4. Ligament Laxity

  • The hormone relaxin, increases flexibility of your ligaments, joints & skin

Problems that can arise from pregnancy

Low Back Pain (including general Back Pain)

Low back pain continues to be an extremely common problem that arises from pregnancy. A broad estimate of between 40-80% (1) of women experience lower back pain when pregnant. The exact cause is still unclear however we do know it stems from a combination of hormonal and structural changes. 

The increase in abdomen size & weight also forces the lumbar spine to adapt to the new stress. 

Pregnancy-related low back pain is often described as 3 types depending on where the pain is: 

  1. Lumbar spine pain

  2. Posterior pelvic pain (or pelvic girdle pain)

  3. Combination of the two above

Sciatica

Sciatica often develops as the baby grows more, normally in the 3rd trimester though it can happen at any stage. Like most of the pregnancy symptoms, sciatica is often caused by additional weight on joints and muscles that were previously tight and unstable but these problems were not severe enough to be noticed.

It can present as a myriad of symptoms and may include:

  • Leg pain

  • Difficulty walking or standing

  • Poor bladder control

  • Numbness, tingling, or pins and needles in your legs

  • Burning sensation in your lower extremities

  • Pain that worsens with coughing, moving, or sneezing

Round ligament pain

The round ligament is a pair of ligaments that act like a sling and hold the uterus in position. 

When not pregnant, the ligaments are thick and round (hence the name). Pregnancy loosens these ligaments and the extra weight causes the ligaments to be constantly stretched - much like a rubber band.

Sudden movements can cause the ligaments to contract suddenly resulting in a sharp, sudden intense stabbing in the groin area or deep in your abdomen. 

SPD (Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction) aka PGP (Pelvic Girdle Pain)

SPD & PGP are terms that can be used interchangeably. 

It’s a group of symptoms that cause discomfort in the pelvic region. It happens when the ligaments that keep your pelvis stable become too relaxed & stretchy, causing extra movement and instability. 

It can be felt in the groin area, in your pubic bone, a pull under your pubic bone or in the lower back. Sometimes your pelvis may also feel wobbly or “unstable”. 

Want to see how chiropractic might be able to help you?

Previous
Previous

Pregnant, uncomfortable, cranky? Here are some tips.

Next
Next

Sever’s Disease - the most common cause for heel pain in children.