The developing baby causes hormonal changes in the body that effect the musculoskeletal system – changes which cause muscles, ligaments, and tendons to relax. Relaxation combined with a shift in a body’s center of gravity due to the weight of the developing child a lot of strain is placed on the spine resulting in low back and pelvic pain.

Expectant mothers may be advised that there is no downside to using analgesics such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin. New research studies show a clear connection between prenatal use of over-the-counter pain relievers and impaired fetal development. These drugs pose additional risks of liver and kidney damage as well as FDA strengthened warning in 2015 that all NSAIDS cause increase in heart attack and stroke risk at any dosage.

Doctors of chiropractic are spine specialists. Chiropractors are able to remove nervous system interference that occurs when the spinal bones misalign. Chiropractors call them vertebral subluxations and can easily detect and remove by a gentle maneuver that realigns the spine called a chiropractic adjustment. Chiropractic treats and corrects the cause of the pain making dangerous drugs unnecessary.

The first trimester of pregnancy may cause muscle tension and discomfort. However, during the second and third trimesters a great amount of stress will be placed on spine as the baby grows and you gain 25 to 35 pounds. This extra weight puts pressure on the back and pelvis and can add up to agonizing back pain. The biomechanical strain placed on the tissues of the low back lead to vertebral subluxations in the thoracic (mid-back) and lumbar (low-back), along with the pelvic and sacral bones. Vertebral subluxations cause muscular imbalances and ligament tension and also put significant pressure on nerves that supply the female reproductive organs, low back, buttocks, legs, and feet.

While mothers prefer natural childbirth, cesarean section deliveries are becoming more and more common. A major reason for breech presentation, when the baby’s buttocks or feet are still facing the birth canal in the 8th month of gestation, is the musculo-skeletal constraints in the uterus. Both the mother and baby are at risk when the baby fails to assume the head-down position. A chiropractic technique called the Webster technique realigns the pelvic bones, ligaments and muscles. This allows for the baby to turn and be born as nature intended.