Pregnancy is one of the most transformative times in a woman’s life—physically, emotionally, and energetically. As your baby grows, your body becomes a living vessel of creation, shifting and expanding in miraculous ways. But with those beautiful changes can come discomfort, misalignment, and tension that affect your daily rhythms and even your birth experience.
That’s where chiropractic care can be a powerful, holistic support—offering not just relief, but restoration.
In this post, I’ll share why I believe chiropractic care is such a vital part of a healthy pregnancy and postpartum journey, as well as why it can make a difference for your newborn, too. I’ll also introduce you to one of my favorite local chiropractors, someone I trust deeply in our birth community.
Let’s explore how gentle adjustments can support your body’s innate wisdom—during pregnancy, birth, and beyond.
Why Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy?
Your body goes through incredible physiological and hormonal changes to nurture your growing baby. These shifts can put pressure on your spine, pelvis, and ligaments, especially as the hormone relaxin loosens your joints in preparation for labor. This can lead to misalignments (also called subluxations), which may contribute to:
- Back pain and sciatica
- Pelvic discomfort
- Round ligament pain
- Poor posture and balance
- Headaches
- Sleep disturbances
- Breech or posterior baby positions
Regular chiropractic care helps support spinal and pelvic alignment, keeping your nervous system functioning optimally. And when your nervous system is balanced, every cell and system in your body—from digestion to hormones to immune health—benefits.
A Balanced Pelvis = An Easier Birth
One of the most well-known benefits of prenatal chiropractic care is its role in promoting optimal fetal positioning. When your pelvis is aligned and your ligaments are balanced, your baby has more space to move into the best position for birth (ideally head down, facing your back).
This is where the Webster Technique comes in—a gentle, pregnancy-specific chiropractic adjustment that focuses on aligning the pelvis and reducing tension in the round ligaments and surrounding muscles. It’s not about manually turning the baby—it’s about creating the right environment for your baby to move on their own.
According to the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), the Webster Technique is a gentle chiropractic method designed to support pelvic balance and optimal fetal positioning during pregnancy. [Source]
Additional Benefits During Pregnancy
Chiropractic care during pregnancy can help:
- Reduce labor and delivery times
- Support emotional wellbeing through nervous system regulation
- Improve sleep quality
- Decrease the likelihood of interventions during birth
- Enhance overall comfort as your body changes
And perhaps most importantly, it’s one of the few truly hands-on practices that honors the innate intelligence of your body without introducing anything foreign or invasive.
Chiropractic Care After Birth
Your body doesn’t just “bounce back” after birth—it heals, rebalances, and finds a new normal. After carrying a baby for months and then going through labor and delivery, your spine and pelvis may be out of alignment, leading to lingering pain or difficulty with postpartum recovery.
Postpartum chiropractic care can:
- Re-align the pelvis and spine after delivery
- Reduce back and hip pain (especially if you had an epidural or long labor)
- Support healing from a cesarean birth
- Ease tension from nursing or baby-wearing postures
- Improve energy levels and nervous system function
And let’s be honest—motherhood is physical. You’re lifting, rocking, nursing, and moving constantly. Keeping your body supported is an act of self-love and sustainability.
What About Babies?
Yes, chiropractic care can also benefit your newborn! And no, it’s nothing like the cracking and twisting that many people associate with chiropractic adjustments. Infant adjustments are incredibly gentle—about the same pressure you’d use to test the ripeness of a peach.
Why might a newborn benefit from chiropractic care?
The birth process, even in the most gentle and supported circumstances, is intense. Babies are curled up in utero for months, then twist and compress through the birth canal (or are pulled through a surgical incision), which can place stress on their tiny necks and spines.
Chiropractic care for infants may help with:
- Latching and breastfeeding challenges
- Colic or excessive crying
- Reflux or digestive issues (even constipation)
- Torticollis (neck tightness or head tilt)
- Flat head syndrome (plagiocephaly)
- Improving sleep and relaxation
The goal is to ensure their nervous system is functioning optimally, setting the stage for healthy development from the very beginning.
Choosing a Chiropractor You Trust
As with any holistic practitioner, finding the right chiropractor is essential. Someone who is gentle, experienced in prenatal and pediatric care, and who listens to your body and your story.
I am so grateful to recommend Dr. Cory Burks at Connect Chiropractic here in our local area. Not only is he certified in the Webster Technique, but his compassionate care and deep respect for the body’s natural rhythms make him a trusted partner in the pregnancy and postpartum journey.
He offers care for mamas, babies, and the whole family—and I’ve personally experienced his support with my own hip issues and back pain after having five children. I’ve also seen how his gentle, knowledgeable care has made a meaningful difference for so many families I know.
📍 Location: 251 Commerce Avenue, Southern Pines, NC 28387
🌿 Learn more or schedule a visit: https://connectchironc.com
Your Body is Wise. Let It Be Supported.
At Labor of Love, I believe birth is not a medical event—it’s a sacred rite of passage. And supporting your body holistically through every stage of the journey helps you feel more connected, confident, and calm.
Whether you’re experiencing back pain in your third trimester, hoping to encourage your breech baby to turn, or simply looking to support your baby’s wellbeing, chiropractic care is a gentle and empowering resource.
It’s not about fixing your body—it’s about restoring balance so that your body can do what it was designed to do: grow life, give birth, and nurture with strength and grace.
If you’re curious about adding chiropractic care to your pregnancy or postpartum plan, I’d love to chat with you. As your doula, coach, or fellow mama, I’m here to walk with you every step of the way. Schedule a chat with me here.
Your labor of love is sacred. And your body deserves support, safety, and trust at every turn.
With love,
Jamie
Labor of Love for Birth & Beyond
