Benefits of Maternity Chiropractors for Expecting Mothers: Prenatal Chiropractic Care
Pregnancy care Sheffield S1
Pregnancy is a remarkable journey, but did you know that up to 80% of women suffer back pain at some point during their pregnancy (Hughes et al., 2018)? At Despina’s Chiropractic in Sheffield, we specialise in gentle, effective care for expecting mothers, as well as postnatal chiropractic care. Using soft tissue massage, joint mobilisation, spinal manipulation, and bespoke exercises, we help you carry comfortably, recover swiftly, and prepare for a smoother birth.
Ready to feel instant pain relief in expert hands and enjoy a more comfortable pregnancy? Let’s explore how maternity chiropractic can support you every step of the way.
What Is Maternity Chiropractic Care?
75% of expectant mothers who underwent chiropractic care during pregnancy reported experiencing pain relief (Shaw, 2003).
Maternity chiropractic is a tailored form of chiropractic focused entirely on the changes and challenges of pregnancy. Rather than a one‑size‑fits‑all approach, it uses:
Gentle spinal and pelvic adjustments that avoid pressure on your tummy,
Pregnancy‑safe exercises and stretches to ease tension and boost flexibility,
Nutritional advice to support you and your growing baby.
By aligning your spine and pelvis, we ease lower back pain, improve posture, and encourage your nervous system to work at its best, so your body can adapt naturally to the demands of pregnancy.
Despina Rousou performing a chiropractic adjustment on a pregnant patient
Key Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Expecting Mothers
Back and Hip Pain Relief
As your bump grows, the extra weight shifts your centre of gravity and strains your spine. Chiropractic adjustments restore balance and relieve discomfort without medication.Improved Posture and Mobility
A supported spine helps you move more freely, whether you’re walking, exercising, or simply getting out of bed.Smoother Labour
A well‑aligned pelvis makes it easier for your baby to find an optimal birth position, which can lead to a shorter, less complicated labour.Enhanced Sleep and Energy
By reducing aches and improving nervous system function, chiropractic care can help you sleep better and feel more energetic throughout the day.
Through regular chiropractic sessions, expecting mothers can prepare their bodies for a more comfortable labor. Chiropractic care strengthens the pelvis, making the birthing process easier.
Integrating Chiropractic Care into Your Pregnancy Wellness Plan
Exercise during pregnancy can lower the risk of gestational diabetes, ease back and pelvic pain, and help prevent bladder leaks. (Cooper, Yang, 2023)
Incorporating chiropractic care into your pregnancy wellness plan can enhance your overall health. It complements other prenatal healthcare practices and promotes holistic wellbeing. Begin by scheduling regular chiropractic sessions tailored to your pregnancy needs.
Discuss with your chiropractor about creating a personalised care plan. This should address your specific discomforts and goals, such as improving posture or relieving pain. Coordination with your primary care provider ensures a cohesive approach to prenatal health.
Your chiropractor may also offer additional resources and lifestyle advice. Consider incorporating the following elements into your wellness plan:
Regular chiropractic adjustments
Personalised at-home exercise routines
Nutritional guidance for pregnancy
Techniques for stress management
Safe posture and lifting techniques
By integrating these strategies, you can enhance your comfort and well-being. This holistic approach supports both you and your growing baby throughout pregnancy.
At-Home Exercises and Stretches Recommended by Chiropractors
Chiropractors often recommend specific exercises to support your pregnancy journey. These exercises focus on strengthening key muscle groups and promoting flexibility. They are designed to alleviate common pregnancy discomforts and enhance mobility.
Gentle stretches can help reduce lower back strain and improve posture. Regular practice of these at-home exercises can foster greater physical comfort. Discuss with your chiropractor for personalised routines tailored to your needs.
Incorporating these exercises into your daily routine can also help prepare your body for labour. Simple, consistent practice ensures you reap the benefits over time.
Why Choose Despina for Your Prenatal Care?
At Despina’s Chiropractic, we believe every mum‑to‑be deserves personalised attention. Despina’s elite athletic background means she knows first‑hand how to keep a body in top form under stress, whether you’re training for a race or growing a little person.
Her approach combines hands‑on adjustments with tailored at‑home exercises and lifestyle tips, ensuring you feel supported throughout your pregnancy. You’re not just another appointment on the calendar, you’re a valued patient on your journey to motherhood. Find out more about our values and mission here.
Baby Chiropractic Care
Once your little one arrives, they might benefit from seeing a baby chiropractor, too. Think of it as a super-gentle approach to help with common newborn niggles, tiny spinal and cranial adjustments that can make a big difference. Around 2% to 40% of infants experience colic, and research suggests chiropractic care can significantly reduce crying fits (Dobson et al., 2014). Even better, 85% of families report happier feeding times, smoother digestion, and a more settled bub within just a few weeks (Curnow & Geraghty, 2019). By easing any little misalignments and supporting neural signalling, baby chiropractic care gives your newborn the best possible start to thrive.
Could Postnatal Care Be a Good Fit?
Don’t stop at labour. Postnatal recovery is just as important as prenatal preparation. If you’d like to explore how chiropractic might help you bounce back and adapt to life with your baby, check out our Pregnancy & Postnatal Care page and see whether you check all the boxes.
Additional Benefits and Neonatal Care
Chiropractic isn’t just for relieving back pain in pregnancy. Research indicates that by correcting spinal and pelvic biomechanics, practitioners can restore neural signalling and enhance overall function (Curnow & Geraghty, 2019). Techniques such as the Webster method may help encourage breech babies to turn by balancing pelvic muscles and reducing uterine tension, although more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness. After birth, gentle chiropractic care can support newborns with issues like colic, breastfeeding difficulties, and constipation by addressing cranial and spinal subluxations that may affect feeding and digestion.
Ready to Book Your Consultation?
Feel the difference that expert maternity chiropractic care can make.
📞 Call us on 07716 377351
📧 Email contact@despinaschiropractic.co.uk
🌐 Book online at www.despinaschiropractic.co.uk
Let Despina help you enjoy a more comfortable pregnancy and a confident return to life with your baby.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Absolutely. A qualified maternity chiropractor uses gentle techniques designed specifically for pregnant women, ensuring both you and your baby are safe. These adjustments can help relieve common pregnancy aches without the need for medication.
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Yes. Baby chiropractic care can support your little one’s spinal health, helping with issues such as colic, breastfeeding difficulties and constipation. By ensuring optimal neural signalling and alignment, babies often feed and settle more easily.
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Frequency depends on your individual needs and stage of pregnancy. Initially, weekly sessions are common to manage pain and alignment. As your condition improves, sessions may reduce to fortnightly or monthly check‑ups.
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Many chiropractors recommend waiting 6–8 weeks after an uncomplicated vaginal birth before beginning adjustments. However, each body recovers differently, and an initial consultation will determine the ideal timeline based on your individual healing progress.
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Postnatal chiropractic care can be beneficial to help realign your spine and pelvis after childbirth. These adjustments support recovery of abdominal and pelvic muscles, reduce post‑birth discomfort and help you return to normal activities sooner.
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Both physiotherapy and chiropractic care offer valuable benefits during pregnancy, but their approaches differ. Physiotherapy often focuses on exercises and strengthening, while chiropractic care emphasises spinal alignment and neural function. Many women find the combination of both therapies to be most effective.
References
Cooper, D. B., & Yang, L. (2023, April 17). Pregnancy and exercise. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430821/
Curnow, E., & Geraghty, S. (2019). Chiropractic care of the pregnant woman and neonate. British Journal of Midwifery, 27(5). https://www.britishjournalofmidwifery.com/content/clinical-practice/chiropractic-care-of-the-pregnant-woman-and-neonate/
Hughes, C. M., Liddle, S., Sinclair, M., & McCullough, J. E. (2018). The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for pregnancy related low back and/or pelvic girdle pain: An online survey. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 31, 379–383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.01.015
Shaw, G. (2003). When to adjust: chiropractic and pregnancy. J Am Chiropr Assoc, 40(11), 8-16.
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