Importance of Postpartum Chiropractic Care

The postpartum or 4th trimester is an especially important time for new moms to take care of their bodies. The postural changes from being pregnant and the process of giving birth can cause misalignments of the vertebrae and postural and muscular imbalances. If a mom has had a difficult labor and delivery and has had a c-section or other medical interventions, the healing process make take even longer.

Typically women experience loss of core strength after delivery and approximately two thirds of women may even have separation between the left and right sides of the abdominal muscles called diastasis recti. Exercise rehabilitation and physical therapy may be helpful and surgery may also be an option in severe cases.

Not only are women dealing with core weakness and postural changes, but also neck, back, and arm pain, as well as headaches. Pain is usually brought on from awkward sleeping positions, looking downward while nursing an infant, holding the baby, and bending to lift the baby from a crib. Doctors of chiropractic trained to work with women in the postpartum period can help offer postural advice for holding the infant, nursing, and lifting the infant from the crib. Babywearing is another way to help prevent or alleviate back and arm discomfort while holding an infant. Chiropractic adjustments for the neck, mid back, spine, and pelvis can help take pressure off of nerves and reduce pain and headache symptoms. Adjustments may even help to increase milk supply.

Postpartum nutrition is also very important. Getting enough calories to sustain milk supply and supplementation with omega-3s, D3, iron and other multivitamins and minerals may help to keep energy levels adequate for caring for a newborn as well as milk production. It is common after delivery and especially, c-section delivery, for iron levels to be low and iron supplementation may be needed.

Chiropractic care can help give new moms another source of support during what may be a stressful transition from body changes, sleep loss, breastfeeding, and a new role as a parent. Please contact us if you have any questions on postpartum chiropractic care.