Acupuncture, Yoga, and Chiropractic adjustments while pregnant.

Some key tips to keeping the aches, pains, and uncertainty of pregnancy at a minimum.

Congratulations, you’re pregnant! The next nine months will be full of excitement, revelations, and challenges.  As your baby develops, your body may go through changes that all the preparation and research can’t prepare you for.  Below are some of my tried and true methods for staying healthy and happy throughout pregnancy.

Acupuncture is a proven safe and effective way to help you through this period and create the best environment for your baby’s developmental needs.  Many moms-to-be already know to seek out acupuncture for common pregnancy symptoms such as:

• morning sickness

• low back pain

• breech baby

• delayed labor

• Immunity

I always use acupuncture in the first trimester to prevent miscarriages and set the foundation for a healthy, thriving baby. Then I circle back in the third trimester to help with some discomfort as my belly grows as well as labor prep. With my first two pregnancies, I received acupuncture treatments once a week starting at 34 weeks and then bumped it up to twice a week at 37-40 weeks.

As I lean into my third trimester of my third pregnancy, I cannot overemphasize how much 30 minutes of prenatal yoga has helped with my aches and pains. It calms my mind, stretches my hips and helps prevent restless leg syndrome. I try and practice yoga three times a week. And will always get on my mat after a big hike, climbing day or an uncomfortable nights sleep. It makes a huge difference. My favorite video is free on youtube - alo yoga prenatal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bqql5QXVsUE

Lastly, I have found that going to see a chiropractor that specializes in prenatal care and the webster technique essential. Monthly adjustments in my second trimester and weekly adjustment from 36 weeks until birth did wonders for my pelvis, back and hips. I firmly believe it contributed to the ease and quickness of my second son's birth. The first time you go in for an adjustment expect to be sore the following day. All following treatments feel wonderful.

As with everything in pregnancy; do what feels right to you. This is what worked for me. The single most important thing I tell my patients is to listen to your body. Rock climbing, hiking, and yoga feels amazing to me while pregnant. I imagine that is not the case for a lot of woman. If it feels good, keep doing it. If it does not feel good, stop. Keep things simple and trust your body.