PRENATAL CHIROPRACTOR

Chiropractic Care for Baby Positioning

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Chiropractic adjustment on prenatal patient using the webster technique for optimal baby positioning.

Welcoming a new life into the world is a remarkable journey, and at Impact Chiropractic in Loveland, Colorado, we understand the importance of ensuring both mother and baby experience this journey in the healthiest and most comfortable way possible. Our chiropractic care, centered around the renowned Webster technique, aims to create the optimal conditions for a smooth pregnancy, birth process as well to support baby positioning. Join us as we delve into how chiropractic care, specifically the Webster technique, can make a world of difference for expectant mothers and their precious bundles of joy.

The Webster Technique: Enhancing Neurobiomechanical Function

The Webster technique stands as a pillar of our chiropractic care for expectant mothers. This specialized technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and diversified adjustment that focuses on the sacral and pelvic regions. By reducing subluxation and addressing any sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction, this technique aims to improve neurobiomechanical function within the sacral and pelvic region.

Benefits for Mothers

For mothers-to-be, the Webster technique offers a range of benefits that can transform the pregnancy experience. One of the most notable advantages is the significant reduction in aches and pains commonly associated with pregnancy. The adjustments provided by our certified doctors can alleviate discomfort, contributing to a happier and healthier pregnancy journey. Even allowing for a faster birth process with research showing a reduction in labor times averaging around a third.

Benefits for Babies

Optimal positioning is crucial for the well-being of the developing baby and the ease of the birthing process. The Webster technique plays a pivotal role in achieving this by addressing torsion within the uterus. Imagine the uterus as a space-limited environment, much like a hot air balloon tethered at awkward angles. Our chiropractic care eliminates this torsion, providing the baby with ample room to move and position themselves correctly.

Chiropractic Care for Baby Positioning

The technique’s multifaceted approach involves addressing various aspects of chiropractic care for the ideal baby positioning. By rectifying sacral rotation, we reduce strain on the uterosacral ligament, effectively decreasing torsion within the uterus. Additionally, addressing the hip flexor muscle creates a more symmetrical lower abdominal space, reducing the sensation of crunching on one side and offering the baby a comfortable environment to grow. During pregnancy, the round ligaments that attach to the uterus can become tight and tender, leading to discomfort and stress on the uterus itself. The Webster technique excels at releasing this tension, relieving pain for the mother and promoting optimal space for the baby. This liberation from stress ensures that the uterus is free to accommodate the baby in the best possible way.

The Importance of Timely Care

Early adoption of chiropractic care can be a game-changer for mothers-to-be. Most babies naturally assume a head-down position in the early stages of pregnancy. However, if a baby hasn’t settled into this position by around 32 weeks, it’s an opportune moment to incorporate chiropractic care into the prenatal routine. At Impact Chiropractic in Loveland, Co, our expertise in the Webster technique provides the guidance needed to support a smooth transition for both mother and baby.

Pregnancy is a remarkable journey, and at Impact Chiropractic in Loveland, CO, we’re dedicated to enhancing that journey for both mothers and babies. Through our specialized Webster technique, we offer a comprehensive approach to chiropractic care that focuses on achieving optimal positioning and comfort. By reducing aches and pains, addressing torsion, and promoting symmetrical growth, our certified doctors empower expectant mothers to experience a more joyful and healthier pregnancy. Prepare for birth the right way – with chiropractic care that makes an impact. Contact Impact Chiropractic today to embark on a pregnancy journey filled with comfort, happiness, and optimal well-being.

Webster Certified for Prenatal Care: What Does It Mean?

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Our Doctors at Impact Chiropractic are Webster Certified, which means they have specialized in the care of prenatal patients. What sets our doctors apart from others by being Webster Certified?

The Webster technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and diversified adjustment. The goal of the adjustment is to reduce the effects of sacral subluxation/ SI joint dysfunction, as well as work with the soft tissues of the low back and pelvis. In doing so, the neuro-biomechanical function in the pelvis is improved. This helps to establish more room in the uterus for baby to develop and move into an optimal position. 

Why is this important for expecting mothers? Because of the particular female adaptations from the increase of hormones, weight gain, and postural adaptations, pregnant mothers have a greater chance of sacral subluxation and neuro-biomechanical imbalance than the general population.

The chiropractic adjustment has beneficial effects on all body functions by reducing nerve system stress. Pregnant mothers may see significant improvement in symptoms by having their spines checked regularly throughout pregnancy, as well as optimizing health benefits for both the mother and baby.

This certification is not part of the requirements for a typical doctor of chiropractic degree, so our doctors took additional classes and training to become proficient in the art of adjusting prenatal patients. If you are expecting and looking for doctors who have specific training in prenatal care please call and make an appointment today!

Birth Trauma: What Happens In Vagus Doesn’t Stay In Vagus

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The medical definition of birth trauma refers to damage of the tissues and organs of a newly delivered child, often as a result of physical pressure or trauma during childbirth. The term also encompasses the long-term consequences, often of a cognitive nature, of damage to the brain or cranium. Birth trauma can cause cranial nerve injury to branches of both the facial and vagus nerves. Cranial nerve and spinal cord injuries result from hyperextension, traction, and overstretching with simultaneous rotation. Approximately 80% of lesions involve the right side and ~ 10% are bilateral. The right side is most commonly affected due to the majority of doctors being right hand dominant. There are three major causes of birth trauma: Delayed birth, Oxygen Deprivation, and Birth-assisting tools.

prenatal birth trauma chiropractor fort collins

Delayed birth is one of the leading causes of birth injury due to the amount of pressure added to the fetal brain during an extended labor. The human brain was designed to withstand a certain amount of pressure for a certain amount of time. However, labors that last over 18 hours are considered long, difficult labors for both the mother and the baby and at 18 hours, the compression on the brain becomes too much to withstand. This is generally when the baby starts to show signs of fetal distress as the baby’s brain reacts in emergency mode thus elevating the baby’s blood pressure.

Oxygen deprivation is one of the most common reasons for some of the most severe birth injuries and occurs from either external forces (such as a kinked or prolapsed umbilical cord) or from internal forces such as low birth weight or underdeveloped lungs. Almost all brain-related birth injuries are related to oxygen deprivation and the victims can suffer the consequences for any period of time from only a few days to possibly their entire lifetime.

Birth-assisting tools have been commonplace during difficult deliveries for many decades. Although they are certainly beneficial when used appropriately, the percentage of birth injuries associated with these tools, in particular, forceps, has been a cause for concern. A pair of forceps is a birth-assisting tool that is open at the end and placed around the infant’s head to help guide the baby out during the mother’s contractions. The most common reason forceps are used happens when the mother is unable to push the baby out alone during delivery. This can happen for a variety of reasons including maternal exhaustion, a prolonged second stage of delivery, illness or infection, hemorrhage, or when drugs keep the mother from being able to push the baby out successfully. Fetal factors that indicate the use of forceps include a breech delivery or a troublesome reading in the fetal heart tracing. Often these factors (both fetal and maternal) are time-emergent and doctors justify the use of forceps as an emergency dictates. In almost all cases, forceps are not used unless there is a means to perform an emergency cesarean section surgery (C-section) should the use of forceps prove unsuccessful. Forceps deliveries may involve an increased risk of injury to the upper cervical spine and spinal cord. The application and/or misapplication of these and other similar extraction aids can cause upper cervical complications.

Each of these causes for trauma during birth has one alarming thing in common, possible dysfunction of the vagus nerve. Why is the function of the vagus nerve so important? It turns out, what happens in the vagus nerve doesn’t stay in the vagus nerve. The longest of the cranial nerves, the vagus nerve is so named because it “wanders” like a vagabond, sending out fibers from your brainstem to your visceral organs. The vagus nerve is literally the captain of your inner nerve center, the parasympathetic nervous system to be more specific. Like a good captain, it oversees a vast range of crucial functions, communicating nerve impulses to every organ in your body including the heart and lungs. When a baby experiences trauma during the birthing process, the vagus nerve is most commonly affected because it passes through a delicate location in the neck. Therefore the use of forceps, excessive pulling or twisting of the baby as they are birthed can add excessive pulling or torsion to the nerve which can cause lasting problems for the baby. Since the vagus nerve is such a significant piece of the body’s puzzle it is absolutely necessary to make sure that is it able to function properly without any disruption.  Luckily, there is a growing body of research on the positive effects of chiropractic adjustments on sensory processing, motor output, functional performance and sensory-motor integration which are all effects of vagus nerve dysfunction!

To minimize birth trauma for yourself or your baby – make an appointment with us today.

The Importance of Pelvic Floor Control

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Everyone can benefit from having strong pelvic floor muscles, but especially pregnant women.

“The pelvic floor muscles (the Levator Ani muscle complex) are known to have active roles in pregnancy and childbirth, as well as in spinal stabilization. When the pelvic floor muscles are damaged or stressed over time, health issues like incontinence and vaginal prolapses can crop up [1]. We know these are problems with massive emotional, physical, social and financial costs across the world and a significant cause of stress for these women.

prenatal chiropractor fort collins pelvic floor

For a woman in labor, the ability to relax pelvic floor muscles (as well as contract them) to allow the baby to move through the birth canal is incredibly important, especially as the baby crowns. If the woman can’t relax these muscles as the baby moves through, she will tire more quickly and may require more interventions to assist the birthing process [2]. Muscles that cannot relax could also interfere with a birth progressing without interference. In an ideal situation, strong pelvic floor muscles with an ability to relax would better prepare a mother for a natural, vaginal birth.”

Chiropractic care relieves subluxations, or misalignments of the vertebra which cause nerve interference, thus clearing up any miscommunications to the pelvic floor muscles.  Chiropractic adjustments help by giving the patient more control over their pelvic floor muscles, and in pregnancy can make vaginal childbirth easier.  Our doctors are Webster Certified and specialize in prenatal care, helping women become more comfortable during pregnancy, labor and delivery.

For those who aren’t pregnant, strengthening those pelvic floor muscles may mean a decreased risk of urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and vaginal prolapse.

The direct quotes above come from the Australian Spinal Research Foundation, you can find the article entirely here.

NATURAL RELIEF FROM MORNING SICKNESS

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According to morning sickness statistics, about 75 percent of all pregnant women experience morning sickness throughout the beginning of her pregnancy (the first 12 weeks). Morning sickness includes feelings of nausea, headaches, and sometimes vomiting that typically peak around the 9th week. Although there is not a definitive cause of morning sickness; researchers believe these symptoms occur when the baby’s organ development is most vulnerable to chemicals and is also around the same time that the baby’s organs are developing (8-10 weeks). Essential oils have proven to help expecting mothers get through the first few weeks of pregnancy with decreased symptoms of morning sickness. However, it must be pointed out that we don’t recommend ANY essential oils during pregnancy unless they are 100% PURE Therapeutic Grade Oils, therefore we use DoTERRA products at our office.

The top 3 essential oils suggested for morning sickness include: Peppermint, Lemon, and Lavender.

Peppermint oil is beneficial for headaches during pregnancy along with nausea, indigestion and heartburn. Peppermint should not be used while breastfeeding because it can decrease milk supply.

 

 

 

 

 

Lemon also helps to fight of nausea along with other citrus smells. Lemon can also be used to decrease swelling and water retention during pregnancy.

 

 

 

 

 

Lavender is an essential oil beneficial for calming a mother and helping with insomnia. However, this oil should be used only occasionally in your first trimester, as it may stimulate contractions. Lavender is also helpful in decreasing swelling and stretch marks and yeast infections during pregnancy.

Essential Oils are most safely used when diffused or mixed with coconut oil when applying topically.  Let us know if you need any help or more information about using essential oils. https://doterra.com/US/en/using-essential-oils

CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR AN EASIER AND SAFER BIRTH

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Dr. Elise and Dr. Lara are both specialize in pediatric and prenatal care, which makes them stand out in Fort Collins, Colorado.  The article below explains why mamas should be receiving chiropractic care throughout pregnancy.  Pregnant and want to experience the benefits of chiropractic care for yourself?  Make an appointment and and let us help your body grow and deliver the healthiest baby possible.

You might have noticed that chiropractic care is becoming an important part of birth preparation for many pregnant women these days. These women are realizing the benefits of regular chiropractic adjustments as they prepare for safer, easier birthing for both themselves and their babies. Chiropractors have actually cared for pregnant women for many years. Recently, however, with the increased interest in natural birthing, and in an effort to avoid having a C-section, a growing number of mothers have incorporated chiropractic into their prenatal care. To understand how chiropractic care can contribute to a better birth, it is important to look at the mother’s and baby’s biomechanics throughout pregnancy.

As a mother’s weight increases, her center of gravity shifts outward and her postural compensations respond accordingly. In addition, the ligament laxity necessary for birthing adds to instability in all of her joints, including her spine and pelvis.

“The potential for damage in pregnancy and the postpartum period to a woman’s neuro-musculoskeletal structure is great,” Varney’s Midwifery warns. “Shifts in the center of gravity forward and slightly up destabilize her posture and realign the carriage of weights and forces through her joints, predisposing nerves, muscles, bones, and connective tissues to damage. Increased levels of relaxin and elastin further aggravate this situation.”

CHANGES DURING PREGNANCY chirorpactic care during pregnancy

These hormonal and structural changes can lead to spinal and pelvic misalignment and the lower back pain many women experience during pregnancy. Lower back pain, in and of itself, is a burden to a woman’s daily function and quality of life. However, the misalignment of the spine and pelvis have a far more crucial consequence to a mother and her developing baby. In chiropractic, these misalignments are called subluxations.

These insidious blockages cause stress overload to the mother’s nervous system, potentially impairing any of her vital systems and organs. During pregnancy, when a mother’s body systems are basically functioning for two, any interference to the nerve transmission supporting their function can be detrimental to her health and well-being, as well as the growing baby’s. Reducing this nerve system stress is a key ingredient for normal bodily function.

Another effect of spinal and pelvic misalignment throughout pregnancy is a condition imposed on the baby called intrauterine constraint. To understand this, it is important to look at the mother’s anatomy and see the relationship between her pelvic biomechanics and the baby’s positioning. The mother’s pelvis has various key ligaments attached that support her uterus. As the baby grows, their role becomes increasingly important. If her pelvis is in biomechanical balance during pregnancy, the uterus will be supported symmetrically. This allows the baby optimal room for movement in utero and provides it the opportunity to develop free of constraint. Conversely, if the woman’s sacrum (the major triangular bone in her pelvis) is out of alignment, it will affect the alignment of her entire pelvis. Misalignment of the pelvis will create an uneven pulling effect on the uterine ligaments, which explains why some women feel sensitivity on one side more than the other. Intrauterine constraint can create torsion in the uterus, limiting available space for the developing baby. This can inhibit the development of the baby’s spine.

Gross misalignment conditions like torticollis create excessive stress to the baby’s developing neuromuscular system, and can impair his nervous system and adversely affect virtually any of the body’s systems and functions.

Intrauterine constraint not only compromises fetal positioning, but can also impair the future health of the baby. The optimal position for birth is anterior vertex (rear-facing, head down). When a baby presents breech or posterior, it often is the result of an imbalance in the mother’s pelvis, forcing the baby to assume a compromised position.

Even if the baby is vertex, the head may be tilted off to one side. This tilting is termed “ascynclitic.” While this position is less troublesome than breech or posterior, it could still result in a lengthier, less comfortable and more complicated birth. Ideally, the baby’s neck should be flexed forward without a tilt to either side.

The body’s intelligence wants the easiest route out for the baby. If mother’s biomechanics are compromised, obstetric interventions are more likely to be recommended and implemented. Each and every intervention has significant side effects for both mother and baby. Many drugs and procedures are used “off label,” meaning the FDA has not approved them for their obstetric application. Furthermore, such interventions are often not evidence-based, and therefore their effectiveness is questionable, at best.

PREVENTING INTERVENTIONS

All obstetrical interventions increase the risk of subsequent and more serious procedures. For example, with any intervention (e.g. Pitocin, epidural anaesthesia, etc.), the risk of mechanical delivery (the use of forceps and vacuum extraction) and surgical delivery (C-section) multiplies substantially. These unnatural modes of delivery are risky and traumatic to both mother and baby. Proper prenatal chiropractic care, however, is a valuable tool to decrease the reliance on these invasive delivery procedures.

Medically classified birth trauma is when the baby has fractured clavicle and humeral bones, overt neuromuscular damage such as Erb’s and Bell’s palsy, or severe spinal cord injury. Chiropractic classification of birth trauma is much more specific and distinct. Evidence of birth trauma is when the baby has misalignments to his or her spine affecting nerve system function. These less obvious traumas can be detected by doctors of chiropractic as soon as a child is born. The unique expertise of chiropractors can detect and correct these misalignments with a gentle touch to the baby’s cranium and spine. When parents understand the importance of nerve system function and the potential trauma of birth, they recognize the importance of having their infants checked immediately after birth.

Fortunately, today’s parents are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of the mother’s pelvic biomechanics throughout pregnancy. Giving it due attention will not only result in a more comfortable pregnancy, but will optimize the baby’s developing systems in utero and contribute toward achieving optimal fetal positioning for a safer and easier birth for both mother and baby.

This article was originally written by Dr. Jeanne Ohm, DC on Tuesday, 01 December 2009 and was published in Pathways to Family Wellness magazine, Issue #24.