How Childbirth Affects Mom and Baby's Spines

Childbirth is a miraculous and life-changing experience. While the focus is often on the health and well-being of the baby, it's essential to recognize that childbirth can have a significant impact on the spine of both the mother and the baby. Some of these issues can even become more serious over time, which is why it’s crucial to visit a Des Moines chiropractor in the postpartum period.

The Mother's Spine

Pregnancy brings about significant changes in a woman's body, including in her spine. As the baby grows, the mother's center of gravity shifts, leading to changes in posture and increased stress on the spine. Many expectant mothers experience lower back pain and pelvic discomfort due to these changes. Additionally, the release of hormones like relaxin can lead to increased joint laxity, which may affect spinal stability.
Chiropractic care during pregnancy can help alleviate discomfort and ensure proper spinal alignment, allowing for a more comfortable and healthy childbirth experience, as well as preventing issues afterward. 

Labor and Delivery

Childbirth itself places significant physical demands on a woman's body, particularly the spine. The process of labor and delivery involves intense contractions, pushing, and positioning changes. These movements can lead to spinal misalignments or subluxations due to the stress placed on the back and pelvis during childbirth.

Post-childbirth chiropractic care is also essential to address any spinal misalignments that may have occurred during labor. Chiropractors can perform gentle adjustments to realign the spine and pelvis, helping mothers recover from the physical toll of childbirth. This care can also aid in postpartum healing and reduce post-birth discomfort.

The Baby's Spine

The journey through the birth canal is a remarkable and challenging experience for newborns. The pressure and twisting motions during delivery can affect the baby's spine. It's not uncommon for newborns to experience misalignments or subluxations in their spine as a result of the birth process.

A baby's spine is a crucial part of their early development. It plays a role in their ability to feed, turn their head, and achieve important developmental milestones. Any spinal misalignments or discomfort can hinder these processes and potentially lead to issues like colic, reflux, or difficulty latching during breastfeeding. 

Pediatric Chiropractic

Pediatric chiropractic care focuses on addressing spinal issues in infants and children. Chiropractors trained in pediatric care can perform gentle and non-invasive adjustments to ensure the baby's spine is properly aligned. This can be particularly beneficial for infants who experienced a difficult or traumatic birth.

Helping Your Family Thrive 

If you are an expectant mother or have recently welcomed a baby into the world, consider visiting Thrive Family Chiropractic. Our experienced team of chiropractors, led by Dr. Shane Hoffman, is dedicated to promoting spinal health and overall well-being for both mothers and their precious newborns. Visiting an Urbandale chiropractor is a simple step you can take to get your new journey off on the right foot – don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment today! 

Sources
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Choahan, N. “Birth interventions 'negatively impact child's long-term health.’” The Sydney Morning Herald, 2018 Mar 26. https://www.smh.com.au/national/birth-interventions-negatively-impact-child-s-long-term-health-20180325-p4z66i.html

Spear, D., & Alcantara, J. “Resolution of Birth Trauma Sequelae Following Adjustment of Vertebral Subluxations in an Infant.” Journal of Pediatric, Maternal, & Family Health, 2016: 28-31.

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