A Guide for Moms on Healthy Pregnancy

You’ve both been dreaming about this moment for a while, and now it’s finally happening—you're going to be parents! Congratulations! We know you'll be incredible parents, who can't wait to meet your little one. Of course, as much as you're looking forward to it, we know there are also a lot of thoughts running through your mind about how to give your baby the best start in life. You're not alone in feeling that way, and we're here to support you every step of the way.

This is a common concern for current and future moms. After all, we want nothing more than to see our children live happy and healthy lives. And with chronic health issues like asthma, ADHD, allergies, and autism on the rise, it is natural to feel a little anxious. 

Despite our best efforts, many of us wonder if we should have started charting a better path sooner—maybe even before conception. 

Surprising as this may sound, you are definitely onto something with that last part. 

At Compassion Family Chiropractic, we love helping expectant moms have a more comfortable pregnancy and birth experience through regular chiropractic care. And our neurologically-based chiropractic approach is also so much more than that. We address nervous system dysregulation before conception and throughout pregnancy, creating the ideal environment for your baby to develop and move while seeking to reduce well-intentioned medical interventions that often have unintended consequences for mom and baby. 

Potential Benefits from Prenatal Chiropractic Care

• Optimal space for the baby to grow and remain in proper birth position

• Balanced pelvic muscles and ligaments

• Shorter labor times and less pain

• Fewer interventions (C-sections, forceps, etc.) and birth complications

• Increased satisfaction with the experience

• Less prenatal stress (Decrease in low back pain, pelvic pain, nausea, and general discomfort)

• A balanced nervous system for mom and baby during pregnancy

• Fewer hormonal imbalances and fertility challenges 

• Limited health issues for the baby (asthma, ADHD, autism, allergies, etc.)

Understanding the Perfect Storm

We’ve been talking a lot lately about a concept known as the Perfect Storm. Essentially, this term describes a combination of stressors that, when occurring together, can disrupt and significantly hinder a child’s nervous system development—even before conception and also during pregnancy. The nervous system is the most foundational system in your body (and your child’s body—your baby’s nervous system starts developing at three weeks) and controls absolutely everything! 

Every muscle, every joint, every organ, every gland. 

Unfortunately, it’s also the most overlooked system when searching for root causes of health issues in children—many of which can be traced back to childbirth. Sure, smooth pregnancies take place in hospitals every day. That said, it’s no secret that prenatal care and childbirth have become increasingly medicalized with the use of forceps, C-sections vs. vaginal delivery, epidural injections during labor, and even labor induction. 

According to the National Library of Medicine, one in three American women undergo a C-section.

Epidural injections are also extremely popular, with 70-75% of pregnant mothers receiving one during labor. 

Approximately 25% of women have their labor induced.

Again, many of these interventions can be life-saving in true emergencies. But they are often overused and potentially unnecessary. As a result, even the most well-intentioned doctor can adhere to a labor process that profoundly impacts child development. We are beginning to see how each of these stressors and factors builds off the other, creating a high level of stress before, during, and after pregnancy that can negatively impact a child’s development and how the nervous system operates over time. 

This can set the stage for a wide range of chronic conditions. According to the CDC, one in four kids have chronic illnesses. Furthermore, one in six have sensory issues, and one in 36 have autism spectrum disorder. But it doesn’t stop there. 

Common conditions your child may experience with a Perfect Storm include:

• Colic

• Bedwetting

• Poor sleep

• Constipation 

• Chronic ear infections

• Developmental delays

• ADHD

• Autism

• Sensory processing disorder

• Anxiety and other emotional issues

Start By Prioritizing Your Nervous System Regulation 

If you want to ensure a healthy pregnancy, visiting a neurologically-based chiropractic office is a great place to start. Prioritizing your nervous system and creating an optimal space for the baby to grow and thrive is one of the most powerful ways to support their development—before you even get pregnant. Once you’re pregnant, your nervous system connects with your baby’s nervous system and can positively or negatively impact how it functions—that’s why it’s so important to us to help moms take care of themselves too!

Here are a few helpful tips to set yourself up for a healthy pregnancy:

1. Schedule regular visits to your chiropractor.

2. Eat a well-balanced and clean diet with daily movement.

3. Focus on stress management.

4. Surround yourself with a supportive birth team.

5. Seek out healthcare professionals who align with your values and priorities.

6. Consider other birth professionals (doula, midwife, etc.).

7. Enjoy your pregnancy!

8. Schedule a chiropractic visit for your baby as soon as possible after birth.

A child’s nervous system works the same way as an adult's. With the gentle adjustments we provide in our office during their developmental years, we see kids overcome chronic issues that could otherwise impact their lives for years.

Healthy kids turn into healthy adults, so our goal is to help the children in Lewisville function better from birth!

Call Compassion Family Chiropractic Today!!

At Compassion Family Chiropractic in Lewisville, TX, our goal is for you and your family to feel like a part of ours. On your first visit, you will be greeted by warm smiles and a whole team that is happy and willing to serve you. We aim to provide you with the most thorough and effective chiropractic care available while treating you with unparalleled service all along the way.

We look forward to the opportunity to become your family’s home for chiropractic care in Lewisville!

Call us today at (469) 240-2322. To learn more about Dr. David Ravdin, click here.