Questions to Ask About Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it also brings many physical changes. As your baby grows, your posture, balance, joints, muscles, and the way you move can all change. For some women, these changes may contribute to back pain, pelvic discomfort, hip pain, or other musculoskeletal symptoms.
If you are considering chiropractic care during pregnancy, it is important to ask questions and understand what care may involve.
Here are some important questions to discuss with your chiropractor.
1. Is chiropractic care appropriate during pregnancy?
A good place to start is by asking whether chiropractic care is appropriate for you and your individual pregnancy.
Pregnancy is not the same for everyone. Your health history, pregnancy history, symptoms, stage of pregnancy, medications, and any complications should all be considered before care begins.
A 2021 expert consensus process developed best-practice recommendations for chiropractic care of pregnant and postpartum patients, emphasizing appropriate examination, informed consent, consideration of risks, and coordination with other healthcare professionals when needed.
2. Does the chiropractor have experience working with pregnant women?
Pregnancy changes the body from week to week.
Ask your chiropractor:
- How often do you work with pregnant women?
- What additional training or experience do you have with prenatal care?
- How do you modify care as pregnancy progresses?
- What techniques do you use with pregnant patients?
You want a provider who understands that pregnancy requires an individualized approach.
That is why Dr. McAtamney is certified by the ICPA (International Chiropractic Pediatric Association) in Family practice and pregnancy and pediatric care. This is known as a CACCP certification. He also is Webster Certified and Perinatal Certified. This covers the Prenatal time and Postnatal time periods a mom deals with.
3. What will my first visit involve?
Your first visit should begin with a conversation and appropriate examination rather than simply receiving an adjustment.
Your chiropractor may want to discuss:
- Your current symptoms
- Your pregnancy and health history
- Previous injuries or conditions
- Your daily activities
- Your posture and movement
- Areas of discomfort
- Your goals for care
The purpose is to determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate and what type of care may be suitable.
We will discover the best approach to caring for you as you travel through your pregnancy. Pictures to determine postural deviations that affect uterine position. Then we perform a Webster Analysis to determine the pelvic distortion that is part of your pregnancy.
4. What techniques will you use?
There isn’t just one way to provide chiropractic care.
Ask what techniques your chiropractor uses and how those techniques will be adapted for pregnancy.
As the pregnancy progresses, positioning and technique may need to be modified for comfort and safety. A prenatal chiropractor should be able to explain what they are doing, why they are doing it, and how it is being adapted to your changing body.
As a CACCP certified Chiropractor I have much I can adapt to your condition.
5. Can chiropractic care help with pregnancy-related back or pelvic pain?
Back and pelvic discomfort are common during pregnancy.
Research has investigated chiropractic and other manual therapies for pregnancy-related low-back and pelvic girdle pain. A 2020 systematic review found that evidence for chiropractic care was inconclusive but favorable, while evidence specifically for spinal manipulation remained inconclusive.
This is an important distinction: chiropractic care may be helpful for some women, but research does not support promising that it will eliminate pain or produce the same result for every patient.
The goal should be to evaluate your individual condition and develop an appropriate plan.
6. Is chiropractic care safe during pregnancy?
Safety is an important question—and one that should be discussed openly.
A 2021 systematic review examining adverse events associated with spinal manipulation during pregnancy and the postpartum period found limited evidence of adverse events. The review identified one reported serious cervical adverse event and a small number of minor, transient low-back adverse events, while noting that better reporting and research are needed.
That is why individualized assessment, informed consent, appropriate technique, and communication with your prenatal healthcare team matter.
7. Do I need to talk with my OB, midwife, or other healthcare provider?
Your chiropractor and prenatal healthcare provider can be part of the same healthcare team.
Tell your chiropractor about your pregnancy and any medical concerns. Likewise, let your OB/GYN or midwife know if you are receiving chiropractic care.
There may be circumstances where communication between providers is particularly important or where chiropractic care should be postponed or modified.
Good healthcare involves communication.
8. Do I have to be in pain to see a chiropractor during pregnancy?
Not necessarily.
Some pregnant women seek chiropractic care because they are experiencing discomfort. Others are interested in maintaining mobility and function as their bodies change.
However, it is important to distinguish between care intended to address a specific musculoskeletal complaint and claims that chiropractic care can prevent or treat pregnancy complications.
Research on chiropractic care during pregnancy has primarily focused on musculoskeletal conditions such as low-back and pelvic pain.
9. How often will I need care?
There is no single schedule that is appropriate for every pregnant woman.
Your care plan should be based on your examination, symptoms, goals, response to care, and changing needs throughout pregnancy.
Ask:
“How will we know whether the care is helping?”
A good plan should include ways to monitor your progress and determine whether continued care is appropriate.
10. What should I expect as my pregnancy progresses?
Your body changes dramatically throughout pregnancy.
Your center of gravity shifts. Your abdomen grows. Your posture changes. Your joints and muscles experience different demands. Activities that were comfortable early in pregnancy may feel very different later.
As your Chiropractor I take these changes into consideration.
That means your positioning, techniques, recommendations, and goals may change as your pregnancy progresses.
11. Are there symptoms that require medical attention instead of chiropractic care?
Chiropractic care should not replace appropriate prenatal or medical care.
If you experience unusual or concerning symptoms during pregnancy, contact your OB/GYN, midwife, or appropriate medical professional. I am trained to know when a condition falls outside the appropriate scope of chiropractic care and refer you when necessary.
The Most Important Question: “Is This Right for Me?”
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to pregnancy.
If you are considering chiropractic care, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Your chiropractor should be willing to explain the examination, techniques, potential benefits, possible risks, alternatives, and when communication with your prenatal provider may be appropriate.
Pregnancy is a remarkable time of change. Taking care of your body during pregnancy can be part of taking care of yourself as you prepare to welcome your baby.
At Inspired Chiropractic
At Inspired Chiropractic, we work with families throughout pregnancy and beyond. Our goal is to provide individualized chiropractic care while respecting the unique needs of each mother and pregnancy.
If you are pregnant and considering chiropractic care, start with a conversation.
Ask questions. Understand your options. Work with your healthcare team. And make the decision that is appropriate for you and your pregnancy.
Inspired Chiropractic
John McAtamney, DC
114 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 112
Floral Park, NY 11001
(516) 233-2883
www.drmcatamney.com