You’re in your 2nd trimester, and maybe feeling the golden 2nd trimester good times, or maybe not! When I got to my 2nd trimester, I was so excited to automatically feel amazing like everyone talks about. Unfortunately, I did not start feeling the golden period until a few weeks into my 2nd trimester. Some people don’t feel it ever! Another instance of pregnancy that is totally different for everyone!
Around the beginning of my 2nd trimester, I was feeling pretty good in my body but really wanted to do anything I could to keep it that way! I remembered someone mentioning chiropractic care for pregnancy in one of my birth education classes and reached out to Dr. Randi Jaffe who came highly recommended. She looked after me for most of my first and second pregnancies as well as postpartum and I really loved her approach. When I mentioned going to see Randi to my pregnant/ postpartum friends, many were surprised to learn about it so I decided to ask her all the questions on behalf of all of my friends!
Here’s my chat with Dr. Jaffe below, hopefully it’s a helpful start for those who might be interested in looking into chiropractic care during, before or after pregnancy!
Why should someone consider getting chiropractic care during pregnancy?
There are so many changes going on in your body during pregnancy. Postural changes come with pregnancy, and the curves in your spine change and create pressure. Hormonal changes happen first and straight away. Relaxing starts straight away - your joints get looser and your body ends up with a less stable structure. Most people think of low back or low back pain but it can also be all over. What happens is that your muscles get tight because the ligaments get loose. During pregnancy, you can’t take much medication but you can do body work/ physical treatment. Chiropractic care can help to create a stable, symmetrical and balanced structure in your pelvis and spine.
Is it safe?
Absolutely. The key is finding someone who has experience, additional training and someone who specializes in prenatal care.
How did you decide to specialize in prenatal care?
I started in general practice. While treating a lawyer, they asked if I could help their pregnant daughter. I was not specialized at the time, but she was in a lot of pain and got better very quickly once she came to see me. It was really exciting to see the huge difference I could make in prenatal care. It was very rewarding to help make birth a better experience and be part of the prenatal care team.
Can you talk a little bit about preventative care?
Christine: "I did not necessarily have any pain or issues before coming to see you but I wanted to be proactive and focus on my wellness as much as possible…"
Prenatal chiropractic care is extremely beneficial on many levels. It can aid in the prevention of pain and dysfunction. Chiropractic care can not only keep you feeling good throughout your pregnancy, but it can also help to decrease pain in labor, as well as shorten labor times and prevent dystocia (difficulty during the labor). We work on creating better alignment and balance in the pelvis, allowing the baby to get into the best possible position for labor. Chiropractic adjustments can also aid in recovery for both vaginal and c-section births. So many of my patients state that they wish they had come in sooner. It is never too early to begin chiropractic care in pregnancy and it is safe to come in the first trimester.
Can you talk about using a massage gun safely during pregnancy?
Percussor guns or massagers can be used during pregnancy safely. I like the Hypervolt at the lowest setting. There are many other brands as well. Be sure to utilize them carefully, as some can be very intense. You can just hover over the muscle as you find the right amount of pressure. I like to have patients work on their hamstrings, quads, gluts and hips as well as the lower back and upper back muscles. You can have your partner help you with hard to reach areas but be sure they don't use excessive pressure and continue to give them feedback on how much pressure to utilize. You can also use the percussor to aid with leg cramps. Never use the massage gun on your abdomen.
Do you recommend a support belt?
A support belt is great for supporting your lower back, hips, pubic bone and round ligaments. If you have another child, it’s great to use during bath time. Also helpful during standing, cooking, long walks, big outings, errands, cleaning, etc.
What do you say to those who do not ‘believe’ in chiropractic care?
I would encourage them to do their research. Speak to friends and family members who have been to a prenatal chiropractor during their pregnancies and ask them about their experience. Why did they go? Did it help? Did they feel comfortable during their treatments? Chiropractic care during pregnancy is safe and gentle. Many of my patients are a bit anxious at their first session and afterward they often report that it was much gentler than they had imagined and they feel significantly better as well. The anatomy makes sense. If areas of the spine and pelvis are misaligned and imbalanced and the chiropractor can correct that, our bodies will be feeling and functioning at a higher level. My goal is always to promote a healthy pregnancy and a better birth experience for the expectant mother.
Dr. Randi Jaffe’s website: https://www.drrandijaffe.com/
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Christine is a mother of two with a Master’s in Early Years Education. She has always been passionate about teaching and working with the tiniest humans. Her goal is to provide her family with healthy and sustainable choices at all times, and to share those tips with you!
