Chiropractic care for pregnancy and postpartum offers powerful support during one of the biggest transitions in a woman’s life. We asked Dr Erin some key questions about how chiropractic care can ease discomfort, support alignment, and aid recovery through pregnancy, birth, and beyond.
1. What are some of the biggest structural changes to the spine and pelvis during pregnancy?
Pregnancy is a beautiful transformation, but it certainly asks a lot from the body. As baby grows, a mama’s centre of gravity begins to shift forward, and in response, the lower back often curves more deeply (called increased lumbar lordosis) increasing the load on the joints of the lumbar spine and pelvis. The body also releases a hormone called relaxin, softening the ligaments to prepare the pelvis for birth. All of this is essential, but it can create changes in the usual support around the spine and pelvis, making day-to-day movement feel more uncomfortable than usual. It can also mean that small misalignments, underlying areas of stress or old injuries become amplified and cause pain or challenges with mobility.
2. How does the nervous system adapt to support pregnancy, and what kinds of stress can show up?
Behind the scenes, the nervous system is working overtime to support pregnancy. Your autonomic nervous system (which manages things like digestion, heart rate, and hormone balance) begins to recalibrate, often ramping up the “fight or flight” side (sympathetic) to meet the body’s growing demands. While this is perfectly normal, it can sometimes leave mums feeling on edge, overwhelmed, or simply “wired and tired.”
Gentle chiropractic care focuses on supporting healthy nervous system function, which may help mothers feel more balanced and resilient during this season of significant change.
3. Why do so many pregnant women experience back pain, pelvic discomfort or sciatica, and how can Chiropractic care help?
You’re not imagining it, aches and pains in the lower back, pelvis, and even down the legs (hello sciatica) are incredibly common during pregnancy. As your posture shifts and your ligaments loosen, muscles and joints work harder to keep everything stable. This can lead to strain, particularly around the sacroiliac joints and lower spine.
Chiropractors use specific techniques to help ease this physical load and support more comfortable movement patterns, all without drugs or invasive procedures. Care is always adapted for each individual, with your safety and comfort as the top priority.
4. What happens to spinal and pelvic alignment during birth, and how might this impact recovery?
Whether a baby is born vaginally, with instrumentation or via caesarean, birth places a big physical demand on the mother’s body. During labour, the pelvis opens and shifts to allow the baby to move through the birth canal, and muscles, ligaments, and joints work together in ways they’ve never done before.
After birth, it’s completely normal for the spine and pelvis to feel a little “off.” Chiropractic care can gently assess alignment and help support your body’s natural recovery process, offering some much-needed relief in those tender early weeks. Some women even stop by for a check-up on their way home from the hospital!
5. How is spinal alignment linked to core recovery, pelvic floor function, and even breastfeeding posture?
Everything is connected, especially after baby arrives. When the spine and pelvis are well-aligned, the muscles of the core and pelvic floor have better structural support and also clearer neurological signals – enabling them to activate and work together. However, when alignment is off, it can be more difficult for these muscles to “switch on,” resulting in slower or more challenging recovery.
Breastfeeding posture is another big one. Many new mums spend hours hunched over without realising it. A Chiropractor can help assess posture and recommend simple changes to reduce strain and support your body as you nourish your little one.
6. What are signs of nervous system stress postpartum, and how can Chiropractic care support regulation?
After birth, there’s often a cocktail of sleep deprivation, hormonal shifts, emotional highs and lows, and a brand new baby to care for. It’s no surprise that many new mums feel physically and emotionally depleted. Signs that the nervous system is under stress might include mood swings, tension, poor sleep, or feeling “on edge” all the time.
Chiropractors who work with new mums aim to support nervous system balance through gentle adjustments. This can help your body shift out of stress mode, encouraging rest, recovery, and more ease in your day-to-day experience.
7. How can a new mum gently and safely integrate Chiropractic care into her postpartum recovery?
In those early postpartum days, less is more. Chiropractic care during this time is gentle, supportive, and always tailored to your unique needs. Whether it’s addressing misalignments from birthing, back or neck tension from feeding, helping you change gears in your nervous system from fight and flight to rest and digest, or simply giving you a moment to breathe, it can be a powerful part of your healing toolkit.
Many mothers find postpartum Chiropractic care essential for their recovery, but also to help them regain power in their body for all the new roles and responsibilities of motherhood.
Find out more about how Dr Erin can support you in pregnancy, birth, postpartum and beyond here and here
