The birth and delivery process is life-changing for both the mother and the baby. The birth process, even the most straight-forward natural (vaginal) births, can be traumatic for both birth partners. I've already addressed having your baby checked by a chiropractor after birth in my article Adjustments for Babies?!. In this blog, I talk about care for the mother after the birthing process...
Chiropractors remove nervous system interference allowing for optimal health and well-being. Impaired nervous system function and biomechanical imbalance in the low back and/or pelvis can lead to pain, discomfort and thus, poor health. Many women may “feel fine” after the birth of their children, as they are overjoyed and excited about this new life. This excitement may mask problems until they are noticed later on. Therefore, it is important to be checked by a chiropractor as soon as possible after the delivery!
This is a very stressful time in a woman’s life as she is now challenged with looking after her newborn baby and experiencing a changing family dynamic with emotional highs and lows. These stressors can take a toll on a woman’s health if not addressed early. For many women who have not had their nervous system stress and pelvic biomechanics addressed after birth, symptoms and pain can become increasingly severe as this misalignment and stress adds. Being checked by a chiropractor after each birth gives a woman confidence knowing she is in her best health going forward.
With the hormone Relaxin still present for awhile after the birth process, there is a window of opportunity to gently set the pelvic bones into balance and ensure proper alignment before ligament support is enhanced. However, adjustments to the spine and pelvis may be done any time after Relaxin has been diminished.
For more difficult deliveries with intervention or surgery (specifically C-sections), rehabilitation of the spine, pelvis, and associated muscles and ligaments are often needed. Once a woman has healed and is well enough to visit the chiropractor, gentle adjustments can be made to the pelvic structures and recommendations for exercise and rehabilitation of the core musculature can be addressed to ensure proper healing and restoration.
After the initial symptomatic complaints post-birth have been addressed, wellness-based chiropractic care can begin to maintain optimal nervous system function and spinal health to keep the mother functioning at her best. This allows the woman to be in the best health possible for herself, her family and for subsequent pregnancies.
Dr. Amber Eckel, DC is a Chiropractor at Aurora Integrative Medical in Burnaby, BC, Canada. She focuses on pregnancy, pediatrics wellness & sports care.
