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Chiropractic Care in Pregnancy

1/25/2018

I love the way I feel after a visit to my chiropractor! I have renewed energy, my body feels relaxed, I don't have any aches - it is glorious!

I had never seen a chiropractor up until about 5 years ago. I was pregnant and my doula suggested I go see one – but not just any one, one that was well respected in our community, and most of all, was Webster certified. (A Webster certified chiropractic has specialized training regarding care for pregnant women.)

She knew that if my body was in proper alignment, my baby had a better chance of being in a good position for birth. A chiropractor can help your body get in proper alignment.

In my Birth Boot Camp Childbirth Education Series you will learn that your spine is the host to a major highway in your body; a highway that millions of messages are being sent on throughout the day! If your spine is out of alignment it could slow down and/or disrupt the way your body processes those messages. These misalignment's are called subluxations. A chiropractor works on your body to reduces these subluxations allowing the messages to flow efficiently.

But how does this look physically?

It can result in an easier, more comfortable pregnancy.
It can help you have a smoother, possibly faster, labor.
It can help alleviate nausea (so start going early on in pregnancy).
It really helps with back, neck, shoulder, and joint pains.
Your round ligaments won't feel as tight.
It can give your baby ample room to grow and assist in preventing breech presentation.
You will be less likely to experience back labor.

It can help increase your milk supply.

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What is a doula?

1/18/2018

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The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves."
I love serving families throughout their pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. Doulas have been shown to help lower intervention rates, simply by being present at a birth. They also help families to have a more positive view of their birth experience.

A Birth Doula...

Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life
Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth
Stays with the woman throughout the labor
Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information she needs to make informed decisions
Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers
Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the birth experience
Allows the woman's partner to participate at his/her comfort level

*Photography by Birth Boot Camp

But what does this really look like when labor is actually happening...

Your doula will come to your home and go over your birth plan, or help you develop one
She will discuss what comfort measures may work best for you and then practice them with you
You can even send us pictures and ask "Is this my mucus plug?" It happens all the time
Your doula will come to your house when you think you are in labor, even if it is a false alarm
We will provide comfort measures such as double hip squeeze, hot rice sock, and massage
She will gently coach you as you transition in each stage of labor
Your doula will not stand in the way of a partner who desires to be interactive with the labor, she will help guide them by showing them the best ways to help the laboring mother, making them feel like a confident partner
We will help you determine when is the best time to head to the hospital or call your midwife
Your doula will encourage you to breathe
She will encourage you to change positions in order to allow your baby the easiest exit path
Your doula will provide evidence based information to help you consider interventions that may arise during your labor
She will stay with you when the nurses leave
We can take pictures for you so you don't have to miss those precious first moments
She will help you learn to breastfeed

Evidenced Based Birth provides wonderful statistics about the physiological benefits of a doula. When continuous labor support was provided by a doula, women experienced a:

31% decrease in the use of Pitocin*
28% decrease in the risk of C-section*
12% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth*
9% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief
14% decrease in the risk of newborns being admitted to a special care nursery
34% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience*

Alabama Births is now providing Doula services and Birth Boot Camp childbirth education classes to Gadsden and the surrounding areas. We look forward to serving you!

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Drop a comment and tell us about YOUR favorite doula!

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Chiropractic Care in Pregnancy

What is a doula?

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