Chiropractic and Pregnancy

Dr. Shawna Hord, B.Sc., D.C., F.I.C.P.A

In recent years, women have been taking a much more active role in their pregnancies than ever before. As times have changed, people have noticed in our country that pregnancy is often viewed as a nine-month illness requiring doctor and hospital visits, drug therapies, episiotomies, cesarean sections and more. Parents are realizing more and more that pregnancy is a natural process that is, for the most part, under their control. They are taking prenatal classes, consulting midwives, reading, researching, preparing birth plans and becoming more conservative. Expectant parents are more educated than ever before regarding birth issues for themselves and their unborn children. At the Healing Hands Chiropractic and Wellness Centre, we believe that all parents have the right to inform themselves about any health issue pertaining to themselves and their children. We endeavour to provide you with as much information as possible so that you are able to make informed choices.

Some Common Questions

Some of the questions you may have regarding chiropractic care are “Is chiropractic safe during pregnancy?, “Will my pain go away?, and “Will this affect my labour in any way?”. Chiropractors look to the function of the nervous system for answers. The nervous system is a delicate system housed in the bony structure of the spine; it dictates all functions of the body through messages to the brain. Interference in this system results in what is termed a Vertebral Subluxation Complex (or simply, subluxations), which alters the normal function of the body. Through careful analysis including orthopaedic and neurologic testing, chiropractors locate and gently correct any areas of subluxations in your spine. It is considered one of the safest, most conservative forms of therapy.

Decreases Labour Pain

Approximately fifty per cent of all pregnant women complain of low back pain. This pain is usually caused by a combination of ligament laxity and changes in posture to accommodate the growing baby. In short, the pain is usually biomechanical. By correcting the biomechanical problems, women are amazed at how much better they feel, how much more they are able to function in their normal activities, and how much more they can enjoy their pregnancies. The many advantages to chiropractic are not limited to pregnancy, but are especially beneficial during delivery. Clinical research, as well as patient reports, indicate that deliveries are faster and less painful when the mother has been under chiropractic care. According to De. Per Freitag, an American medical researcher, chiropractic patients’ need for pain medication during delivery was reduced by half.

A Safe and Gentle Way of Turning Breech or Posterior Babies...The Webster^TM Turning Technique
 

Dr. Shawna Hord, B.Sc., D.C., F.I.C.P.A

 

Many women are shocked and disappointed to find out their baby is either breech or posterior. To turn a breech baby, medical doctors will sometimes use a technique called “external version”. This technique involves forcing the baby to turn by pushing on the tummy, and it can be very uncomfortable. If the baby is in a breech position because of an anatomical reason such as a short cord or the cord is wrapped around the baby’s neck, this technique can put the baby into distress.

Fortunately, there is a better way. The Webster^TM technique is a unique chiropractic approach to turning babies in a position of in-utero constraint, such as breech or posterior.  Babies usually take a breech position because the joints of the pelvis and low back are not moving sufficiently, not because there is an anatomical problem. The Webster^TM technique uses a very gentle pelvic adjustment together with muscular trigger point therapy to open up the pelvis and allow the baby to turn herself. That is the beauty of this approach - we do not force the baby to do anything she should not be doing naturally. If there is an anatomical reason for the baby to be breech, the baby simply will not turn.

Who should I see for the Webster^TM technique?

You should see a chiropractor qualified to use this technique. Ask your chiropractor about her credentials. Has she completed a fellowship in Pregnancy and Pediatric Care with either the International Chiropractic Association (ICA) or the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA)? Are they specifically certified in performing the Webster^TM technique? You can log onto www.icpa4kids.com to find the nearest chiropractor certified in this amazing technique.

Dr. Shawna Hord  

Shawna graduated from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College. She earned a Fellowship in the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association and enjoys a family chiropractic with a special emphasis on pregnancy and pediatric care. She operates Healing Hands, a multidisciplinary clinic offering chiropractic, massage therapy, naturopathic medicine, and nutritional counseling. Dr. Hord is a member of the Ontario Chiropractic Association, the Canadian Chiropractic Association, the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (member and Fellow) and the Aurora Chamber of Commerce.

Contact:

Healing Hands Chiropractic and Wellness Centre,

73 Wellington Street East,

Aurora, Ontario L4G 1H7

(905)841-0400

Website: healinghandsaurora.com

Email: drhord@healinghandsaurora.com