The Role of Chiropractic Care in Pregnancy Health
- Dr. James Cain
- Apr 7
- 6 min read
If you’re pregnant and searching for comfort, relief, or just a better way to feel like yourself again—you’re not alone. Chiropractic care in pregnancy offers gentle, natural support for the changing needs of your body and your growing baby.
Whether you’re struggling with back pain, sciatica, round ligament tension, or wondering if your baby is in the right position for birth—there is hope. Chiropractic care can help make this season feel more empowering and less uncomfortable.
Why Chiropractic Care in Pregnancy Matters
As your body grows and adapts to support new life, your posture, center of gravity, and joint mobility change drastically. Hormones like relaxin loosen ligaments and soften connective tissue, which, while necessary for delivery, can also lead to misalignment and pain.
Many expectant moms turn to chiropractic care to:
Improve pelvic alignment
Ease musculoskeletal discomfort
Promote optimal fetal positioning
Reduce stress on the nervous system
Feel more in control of their birth experience
And they often find not just relief—but renewed confidence and connection to their body during this precious time.
Common Pregnancy Discomforts Chiropractic Can Help
Low Back and Hip Pain
Weight shifts and posture changes often trigger lower back and hip tension. Chiropractic adjustments restore proper alignment and improve mobility.
Sciatica
Sciatic nerve pain—radiating down the leg—is often caused by pelvic misalignment. Gentle realignment can relieve nerve pressure.
Round Ligament Pain
Tight round ligaments can pull on the uterus and cause sharp pains. Chiropractors use soft tissue work to reduce this tension.
Sleep Disruption
Pain and misalignment make it hard to sleep. Patients frequently report improved rest after starting care.
Try This Now: Home Techniques for Comfort
While in-office care is best, you can support your comfort at home with simple, safe movements:
Pelvic Rock (Cat-Cow Stretch)
Get on your hands and knees on a soft surface.
Inhale as you arch your back, lifting your head and tailbone.
Exhale as you round your spine, tucking your chin and pelvis.
Repeat for 10 slow, controlled breaths.
Side-Lying Hip Release (Inspired by Webster Technique)
Lie on your side with a pillow between your knees.
Gently stretch your top leg backward to open the hip.
Hold for 30 seconds on each side, breathing deeply.
Always move within comfort and avoid any movements that cause sharp pain or dizziness.
The Webster Technique in Pregnancy Chiropractic Care
The Webster Technique is a specialized chiropractic analysis and adjustment developed by Dr. Larry Webster to address sacral and pelvic misalignments in pregnant women. It aims to optimize neurobiomechanical function in the pelvis, reducing intrauterine constraint and encouraging ideal fetal positioning—particularly helping babies move into a head-down (vertex) position in preparation for birth (ICPA³).
Key Benefits
Reduces intrauterine constraintTension in the pelvis can limit baby’s ability to move. The Webster Technique restores balance and space. (PubMed¹)
Improves fetal positioningWhile not a method for “turning” breech babies, it supports better positioning by reducing restrictions. (PMC²)
Relieves pregnancy painMany moms experience relief from back, hip, and round ligament pain. (PMC⁴)
Prepares for laborA balanced pelvis may support smoother, more efficient labor. (PMC⁵)
What to Expect
Certified chiropractors perform a gentle exam to check for misalignment and ligament tension. Adjustments are safe, specific, and done using pregnancy-supportive equipment like drop tables or pillows.
The technique is most effective when started early in the third trimester—or before baby becomes breech—and should always be performed by a Webster-certified chiropractor (ICPA³).
Recommended Supplements During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a season of giving—your body gives nutrients, energy, and space to grow new life. Supplements can help support that generous work by filling in nutritional gaps and easing common discomforts. Below are trusted, high-quality supplements I recommend for my own patients—or a loved one.
As always, talk to your OB, midwife, or provider before starting anything new.
Prenatal Vitamin
Why this brand: MegaFood is known for clean, real-food-based supplements with third-party testing and no junk fillers. This prenatal includes methylated folate (not synthetic folic acid), which is the active form your body can actually use—especially important if you have MTHFR gene variations. It also contains iron, vitamin D, and choline, all critical for baby's development and your energy.
Ideal for: Moms who want a gentle, easy-to-digest prenatal with whole-food nutrients.
Magnesium Glycinate
Why this brand: Pure Encapsulations is a gold-standard supplement line trusted by doctors, naturopaths, and chiropractors alike. Their magnesium glycinate is highly absorbable and gentle on sensitive digestive systems—making it ideal for easing pregnancy-related muscle cramps, insomnia, and stress. It contains no artificial additives, gluten, or common allergens.
Ideal for: Moms struggling with restless legs, sleep disruption, or tension headaches.
Prenatal DHA (Omega-3)
Why this brand: Nordic Naturals sets the standard for purity in fish oils. Their prenatal DHA is third-party tested for heavy metals and toxins and provides the recommended DHA dose to support baby’s brain, eye, and nervous system development. The light strawberry flavor makes it easier to take during queasy trimesters.
Ideal for: Supporting baby’s cognitive and visual development—and keeping mom's brain and mood balanced too.
Probiotic
Why this brand: Created by a certified doctor and tailored for pregnancy, this probiotic contains 16 clinically studied strains—including those that support digestion, immunity, and even reduce the chance of eczema in baby after birth. It also includes added folate and doesn’t require refrigeration.
Ideal for: Moms wanting digestive support, fewer food sensitivities, or relief from constipation (especially if taking iron).
Patient Story: Sarah’s Journey
Sarah was 33 weeks pregnant with her first child when the weight of it all—physically and emotionally—finally caught up with her. She was excited, of course. But her body was exhausted. Every morning started with a stiff lower back. By mid-afternoon, her hips throbbed. And at night, she'd lie in bed tossing from side to side, trying to find a position that didn’t hurt.
Her OB told her the baby was still breech, and the news crushed her. She wanted so badly for a natural birth, but her body didn’t feel like it was cooperating.
One night, after crying in frustration, she searched “natural ways to help baby turn” and found something she hadn’t tried: chiropractic care. She had no idea what the Webster
Technique was, but the more she read, the more hopeful she became.
She made an appointment.
The chiropractor listened with compassion and explained how gentle adjustments could restore balance to her pelvis and release the tension that might be limiting her baby’s ability to move. Sarah started care that week.
After just a few visits, she noticed the difference—her hips felt looser, her back pain eased, and she finally started sleeping again. A couple of weeks later at a follow-up OB visit, the ultrasound tech smiled: “Your baby’s head-down.”
Sarah cried in the car. Not because everything was perfect, but because—for the first time in weeks—she felt empowered again.
What to Expect During Your Visit
If it’s your first time seeing a chiropractor during pregnancy, here’s what you can expect:
A detailed history and prenatal-specific exam
Gentle, specific adjustments tailored to your trimester
Pregnancy-safe positioning using supportive pillows or drop tables
Tips for posture, sleep, stretching, and home care
Every visit is about supporting you as a whole person—not just relieving pain, but empowering you for birth.
Book Your Prenatal Visit Today
You don’t have to live with unnecessary pain, anxiety, or misalignment during this special season. Chiropractic care offers natural, safe, and effective support for your body and baby.
We’d love to walk with you on your journey to better health. Book your appointment now.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of consultation with your physician or qualified healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.
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Citation List:
Information in this article was compiled from trusted sources, including the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics that surveyed chiropractors on the effectiveness of the Webster Technique in reducing intrauterine constraint (PubMed¹). Additional insights were drawn from UPMC regarding sciatic pain during pregnancy (UPMC³), and the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association for Webster Technique training standards (ICPA⁴). A biomechanical perspective was provided by research in Health SA Gesondheid (Health SA⁵), and clinical evidence on the Webster Technique’s application was summarized in a literature review from the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine (PMC⁶). Nutritional recommendations for pregnancy were based on guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) (ACOG⁷). Case-level outcomes from the Webster Technique were reported in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine (PMC⁸), and patient-reported results were evaluated in a study published by the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (PMC⁹).
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