Optimal Pregnancy and Postpartum Wellness: Recommended Chiropractic Care Frequency
Chances are, if you’re reading this, you’re pregnant. Congratulations! Pregnancy is such a transformative journey and I’m so happy you’re exploring pregnancy chiropractic and it’s ability to improve your pregnancy experience, potentially shorten labor times, decrease discomfort during pregnancy & postpartum, provide you with support, resources, and care through this phase of life!
Prenatal Chiropractic is not only supports a healthier and more active pregnancy, but its contributions to proper pelvic alignment not only facilitates a smoother delivery but can also reduce the duration of labor. By ensuring that the pelvis is properly aligned, chiropractors can help create the optimal environment for a baby to engage and descend into the birth canal.
As your body is changing, BCR will be there to help explain the why behind some of these changes, what you can do to prevent common pregnancy woes such as pelvic pain, provide recommendations for other resources such as pelvic floor therapists and lactation consultants, and empower you with at-home care recommendations so YOU can take charge of your pregnancy. Below, you’ll find the typical recommendations for care, but ultimately, the frequency of visits are tailored to individual needs, allowing expectant mothers to find the right balance for their wellness journey.
PREGNANCY CARE RECOMMENDATIONS:
Ideal Frequency of Care:
1st trimester (weeks 1-12): 1x per month
2nd trimester (weeks 13-27): 1x per month (or 1x/2 weeks if you are experiencing discomfort)
3rd trimester (weeks 28-40): 1x every 2 weeks (or 1x week if you are experiencing discomfort)
Base Level Frequency of Care : 6 prenatal visits
Week 15/16: focus on pelvic stability as hormones shift and decreasing tension from emerging pregnancy patterns
Week 23: continued focus on pelvic stability and decreasing tension from pregnancy patterns (growth)
Week 29/30: focus on pelvic symmetry/tension and ligaments of the uterus & pelvis
Week 32: focus on structures contributing to optimal fetal positioning and providing at-home care recommendations
Week 36: continued focus on structures contributing to optimal fetal positioning as well as birth prep recommendations and at-home care
Week 38: continued focus on the pelvis and surrounding structures as well as birth prep recommendations and at-home care
*Additional* Week 40: focus on deducing discomfort and helping to encourage labor by supporting relaxation of both the nervous system and associated structures
**All prenatal appointments also include Webster Technique to ensure that all structures relating to fetal positioning are being assessed, any concerns of tension or asymmetries are receiving attention, and at-home recommendations are provided to ensure early intervention. We are also working on other structures related to pelvic tension such as midback mobility, diaphragm and jaw tension, etc. at every visit as well.
POSTPARTUM CARE RECOMMENDATIONS:
Ideal Frequency of Care: 4 Postpartum Visits
Week 2: Check in and GENTLE bodywork to help healing from birth, provide relief from tension patterns from feeding, carrying, holding a newborn. Check in on need for additional support for mom and/or baby and provide at-home care recommendations
Week 4: Provide continued body support from birth and holding newborn. Begin progressing recommendations for at-home care
Week 6: Continued body support and recommendations for progressing at-home care
Week 8: Continued body support and recommendations for progressing at-home care
As needed from here!
Base Level Frequency of Care : 2 Postpartum Visits
Week 2: Check in and GENTLE bodywork to help healing from birth, provide relief from tension patterns from feeding, carrying, holding a newborn. Check in on need for additional support for mom and/or baby and provide at-home care recommendations
Week 6: Provide continued body support from birth and holding newborn. Begin progressing recommendations for at-home care
Prioritizing wellness through chiropractic care is a transformative approach that empowers expectant and new mothers to embrace their journey with confidence and comfort. While regular perinatal chiropractic appointments can alleviate discomfort, enhance mobility, and promote overall well-being, BCR will never push treatment plans or packages. BCR does offer a pregnancy package IF you know you’d like for your newborn to be seen as well, but there is never any pressure. Each pregnancy is different. Each person’s goals and reasons for seeking care are different. YOU are the decision maker of what works best for you and your family. Your providers are there to support you, guide you, and provide you with recommendations recommendations, but this amazing journey is yours.
