Chiropractic and Postpartum Care

Establishing a postpartum plan of care is essential for a healthy recovery following childbirth. A woman experiences many changes in her body during pregnancy and childbirth, most notable is her posture. The postpartum process is the period of recovery for the mother that begins as soon as the baby is born.

During the first six to eight weeks after delivery, the mother may experience a variety of physical symptoms including sore breasts, hip soreness, vaginal bleeding or soreness from an episiotomy or vaginal tear, problems urinating or with bowel movements, and even hair loss or skin changes.

Chiropractic can play an important role in managing a healthy postpartum recovery. Consulting with a chiropractor and developing a postpartum plan of care can help speed the recovery process and provide for optimal postpartum health. Chiropractic is an all-natural healthcare practice, which focuses on hands-on techniques, natural therapies, proper diet and nutrition, and the overall health and biomechanics of the body as a whole.

During an initial chiropractic postpartum examination, a chiropractor will review daily lifestyle activities since the delivery. These may include: diet, hydration, sleeping patterns, and level of activity. It is important for a new mom to create an approved exercise program, stay hydrated, get as much sleep as the newborn will allow, and eat the right kinds of foods. For example, drinking plenty of water and eating foods high in fiber can help women with voiding issues.

Home exercise programs such as Kegels and exercises that strengthen the core are also important for optimal postpartum recovery. Core strengthening exercises can be completed in as little as five minutes a day and may include exercises as simple as controlled breathing techniques and stretching exercises. These beginner exercises are not strenuous and can be performed early in the postpartum period. In fact, many of these can be performed while the mother is holding and caring for the baby. Thus, the mother can still use the baby's sleep time to attend to other important matters, such as the mother's own sleep time.

As the postpartum period progresses, the mother can transition into more active home exercise programs to strengthen her core. Indeed, she will need this strength to have the energy to lift and carry her baby, and later to keep up with the baby as the baby moves into the toddler years.

For women who experience certain pain and/or dysfunction during the postpartum period, adjustments and other physiotherapy modalities used by chiropractors can help safely and gently return lost function and relieve pain. In addition, a mother receiving chiropractic care will be less inclined to need pharmaceuticals for her pain or dysfunction, which is particularly important for women who are breastfeeding.

Establishing care through a chiropractor is beneficial on many levels. Chiropractors provide personalized care, specifically designed for each patient's needs and goals. The health benefits received from chiropractic during postpartum care can greatly improve the speed and quality of recovery. Moreover, it provides the foundation for a healthy and active lifestyle.