Perinatal Chiropractic for Newborns and Pregnant Women
Dr. Harlan Sparer, Tempe Chiropractor
I believe that I have developed an unusual perspective on perinatal issues and Chiropractic from 10 years of marriage to a midwife. I have had the unique pleasure of attending childbirth on occasion and have attended more than my share of prenatal classes, even as a substitute teacher of them on rare occasion.
The pregnant woman can face several challenges during the second and third trimesters. Often, past injuries that have been accomodated for rise up to new tender heights and demand attention. If ignored, they can interfere with labor and delivery.
The enervation to the uterus, bladder, and colon arises in part in the plexuses originating from the lumbar and sacral nerves. Subluxation of the sacrum and the lumbar vertebrae can effect dilation, contraction effectiveness, and even the positioning of a newborn. Correction can sometimes lead to dramatic postional changes (from breech or posterior to vertex). It can also bring the onset of labor in a situation where it has started and stopped or weakened. Sometimes, it facilitates labor in a pregnancy which is later than 40 weeks.
Ideally, Chiropractic care should be initiated earlier in a pregnancy. This is because relaxin secreted by the third trimester makes it more challenging to maintain a correction. Ligaments maintain alignment. Relaxin loosens and stretches the ligaments.
After labor and delivery, the mother should be checked for Subluxations. Labor is called labor for a reason. An extremely athletic act such as this can cause Subluxation due to the unusual positions and pressures that her body is put through.
In addition, during a difficult labor and/or delivery, the baby can be subjected to unusual torsion and pressure. He or she should be checked for Subluxation as well. D.N.F.T.® Chiropractic is an excellent approach to utilize on a neonate because of its inherent gentleness.