Currently, around 75% of pregnant mums experience back or pelvic girdle pain. These pains can be extremely unpleasant and, in some cases, debilitating. Luckily, chiropractic care has proven very helpful in improving these ailments.
Can a chiropractor help you have a more natural birth?
The incidence of back pain in labour is significantly reduced in mothers who have enlisted the care of a chiropractor during pregnancy. Chiropractic care decreases labour time between 25% and 31% while lowering caesarean rates and the risks associated with them.
While caesareans are sometimes unavoidable, research has suggested that caesareans may increase a mother’s risk of stroke, infection, respiratory problems and admission to intensive care. Caesareans may also increase maternal and infant death rates when compared to vaginal births.
How can Dr. Keith help?
As a Gold Coast based chiropractor, Dr. Keith can realign the pelvis and spine to reduce the pain of pregnancy related postural adaptations leading up to and during labour. As well as being a Chiropractic Applied Kinesiologist, Dr. Keith is also a herbalist who can recommend nutritional supplements which can improve birth outcomes and infant health. These include:
- Zinc, P5P, Activated B6, Magnesium, Calcium, Iron, Folic acid, Vit E, Folate, Spirulina and Chromium
- Ipecac homeopathic and ginger can be helpful with morning sickness
- Raspberry leaf tea which has been shown to improve uterine and cervix tone (1 cup 3 times per day)
- Caulophyllum 30C homeopathic and Arnica can be helpful before the birth
Emotions and birthing
The main emotion associated with birthing is fear. This emotion has a detrimental effect on your ability to relax during labour, preventing your pelvic opening to expand and nature taking its course.
If you feel fear associated with your birth, simply allow yourself to feel it before releasing the emotion. Once it is gone, focus on your breathing particularly taking long expirations.
Repeat an affirmation like: “My pelvis opens with ease”, “I am having the baby with ease”, or create your very own affirmation. If fear persists, make sure you have someone there to support your mental health and resilience.
I wish you a successful birthing experience and every happiness welcoming a happy, healthy baby into the world.
Dr Keith