Beyond the Bump | The Neuro Connection to Pregnancy Maternal Wellness

Written by: Doc, Dr. Aschia Florvilus Rodby | Published on: April 9, 2025

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"It's about supporting the nervous system for a stronger pregnancy and postpartum"

Let’s be honest—pregnancy is amazing... but it’s not all glowing skin and cute baby kicks. Growing a tiny human? That’s Olympic-level stuff. One minute you're tying your shoes, the next you’re wondering if you'll ever see your feet again. With your center of gravity doing the cha-cha and your lower back begging for mercy, even getting out of bed feels like a full-body workout. If you feel like your body’s working double shifts—because it is—you’re definitely not alone. The upside? There’s a natural, feel-good, researched way to help your body handle the ride: chiropractic care.

Yes, chiropractic care is so much more than "back cracking." It's a safe, tailored to your body, and holistic way to reduce pain, improve movement, and help your body adapt to the wild (and beautiful) ride of pregnancy. So let’s dig into how this often-overlooked support system can make pregnancy smoother—for both you and your baby.

Why Pregnancy Can Be a Literal Pain

During pregnancy, your body is in constant transformation. Your weight increases, your posture shifts to keep up with that growing belly, and the hormone relaxin kicks in—loosening ligaments to prep for birth, but also throwing off your usual stability. It’s a full-on biomechanical balancing act… and sometimes, your body lets you know it’s feeling the strain. That can lead to:

• Low back pain – About 50% of pregnant women experience it¹.

• Pelvic girdle pain – Occurs in roughly 20% of pregnancies².

• Sciatica – Caused by compression of the sciatic nerve as posture changes.

• Sleep disruption – Due to physical discomfort and misalignment.

These discomforts aren’t just part of the deal—they can take a real toll on your quality of life. Everyday tasks get harder, sleep gets shorter, and even birth outcomes can be affected. Left unaddressed, issues like pelvic misalignment and dysfunction may increase the risk of prolonged labor or make it harder for baby to find the best position for delivery. This is where chiropractic care shines—helping your body function at its best when it matters most.

What Makes Chiropractic Care So Powerful During Pregnancy?

Chiropractic care is all about helping your body do what it’s already designed to do—just with more ease. By keeping your spine and your nervous system functioning smoothly, it supports the foundation of how you move, feel, and adapt. During pregnancy, chiropractors trained in prenatal care use safe, gentle adjustments that work with your changing body, not against it. And the results? Felt in real life and in real time! Think less discomfort, better sleep, more energy, and a body that feels supported every step of the way.

Relief from Back and Pelvic Pain

If you feel like you're carrying the weight of the world—because honestly, you kind of are—chiropractic care can offer real, lasting relief. In fact, a case study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine found that chiropractic care significantly reduced pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain³. It’s not just a nice-to-have; it’s a powerful support tool.

Here’s why it works: When your spine and pelvis are properly aligned (i.e., properly communicating with your brain), it helps calm inflammation, ease nerve pressure, and restore healthy joint movement. That means you can move easier, sleep better, and feel more like you again.

Better Pelvic Balance = Smoother Delivery

Your pelvis is more than just the structural center of your body—it’s the gateway for your baby’s arrival. When it’s in a state of dysfunction, it can limit the space your baby has to move, or make it harder for them to settle into the ideal head-down position. That’s where the Webster Technique shines. This gentle, pregnancy-specific chiropractic method is designed to realign the pelvis and release tension in the surrounding ligaments—creating a more balanced, supportive environment for both you and your baby.

The results are real. A 2002 study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics reported an 82% success rate in resolving breech presentations using the Webster Technique⁴. Proper pelvic alignment doesn’t just make you feel better—it can also help baby get into the best position for birth and reduce the chances of interventions like C-sections.

Shorter Labor Times

Imagine this: Less pain and shorter labor. Sounds like a dream, right? It’s a reality for many women who include chiropractic in their prenatal routine. A narrative review published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine discussed the association between chiropractic care and reduced labor duration⁵.

Better nervous system communication (better alignment) means less resistance during labor, more efficient uterine contractions, and improved pelvic mechanics—basically, a smoother birth experience.

A Healthier Nervous System for You and Baby

Pregnancy places incredible demands on your body—and at the center of it all is your nervous system. It’s the communication highway between your brain and every organ, hormone, and system working to support both you and your growing baby. From balancing hormones to keeping digestion on track, your nervous system is running the show.

Chiropractic care helps keep that brain-body connection clear. Specific adjustments reduce spinal interference, helping your nervous system function at its best. The result? Many pregnant women report deeper sleep, smoother digestion, and a greater sense of calm and resilience.

When your nervous system is supported, your whole body responds—naturally and powerfully.

Easier Postpartum Recovery

The benefits don’t stop once baby arrives. In fact, postpartum care might be even more important. From awkward nursing positions to lifting baby carriers, new moms often deal with neck, shoulder, and low back strain.

Chiropractic helps:

• Re-align the pelvis and spine after birth

• Ease tension from nursing and baby-wearing

• Support recovery from diastasis recti or C-section

• Strengthen nervous system function during the “fourth trimester”

Supporting your structure after delivery means you can feel more like yourself again, faster.

Why Chiropractic is the Ultimate Pregnancy Hack

Unlike medications, which may carry risks during pregnancy, chiropractic is natural, drug-free, and focused on root-cause healing. It’s not about masking pain—it’s about creating the best possible environment for your body to do what it was designed to do.

With proper nervous system function, you’re not just surviving pregnancy—you’re thriving through it.

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Quick Recap

• 50% of pregnant women experience low back pain¹

• 82% Success rate helping breech babies find an optimal position with the Webster Technique⁴

• Chiropractic care is associated with shorter labor times⁵

Mama, I see you. Carrying more than just the weight of a growing baby—you’re carrying expectations, changes, emotions, and so much unknown. It’s a lot, and it’s okay to need support. Chiropractic care during pregnancy isn’t just about easing physical discomfort. It’s about creating space—for your body to move, for your nervous system to breathe, and for your baby to grow in the most balanced environment possible.

If you’re looking for care that honors both your strength and your softness, I’d be honored to walk this journey with you.

You’re not alone—and you’re doing beautifully.

Ready to Feel Amazing During Pregnancy?

Whether you’re in the early days of pregnancy or counting down to baby’s arrival, chiropractic care can help you feel more at ease in your body, stay aligned as things shift, and prepare for a smoother, more supported birth.

This season is all about change—and you deserve care that meets you where you are. If you're looking for natural, personalized support throughout your pregnancy, and ready to feel more supported from the inside out? Let’s connect. 

Schedule your consultation today! Your future self (and your little one) will thank you.

References

1. Wang SM, Dezinno P, Maranets I, Berman MR, Caldwell-Andrews AA, Kain ZN. Low back pain during pregnancy: prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes. Obstet Gynecol. 2004;104(1):65–70. doi:10.1097/01.AOG.0000129403.54061.0e

2. Pierce H, Homer CS, Dahlen HG, King J. Pregnant women’s experience of pelvic girdle pain: a systematic review of qualitative studies. Birth. 2012;39(3):219–228. doi:10.1111/j.1523-536X.2012.00551.x

3. Bernard M, Tuchin P. Chiropractic management of pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain: a case study. J Chiropr Med. 2016;15(2):129–133. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2016.04.003

4. Pistolese RA. The Webster Technique: a chiropractic technique with obstetric implications. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2002;25(6):E1–E9. doi:10.1067/mmt.2002.126127

5. Borggren CL. Pregnancy and chiropractic: a narrative review of the literature. J Chiropr Med. 2007;6(2):70–74. doi:10.1016/j.jcme.2007.04.004