Pregnancy comes with a lot to think about.
Is my baby growing well? Am I eating the right foods? Is this ache normal? Is my body ready for labour? And—perhaps the biggest question—am I doing everything I can to prepare for a positive birth?
If you find yourself researching every symptom and worrying about every decision, you are certainly not alone. You want the best for your baby, but all that information can quickly become overwhelming.
Here is the reassuring truth: you do not need to prepare perfectly. But there are practical steps you can take to support your changing body, maintain comfortable movement and feel more confident as birth approaches.
Pregnancy-focused chiropractic care, including the Webster Technique, may be one of those steps.
Your Pelvis Has an Important Job During Pregnancy and Birth
Your pelvis is not a fixed structure. It is a group of bones, joints, muscles and ligaments designed to support your body while also allowing movement.
During pregnancy, your pelvis must adapt to:
- A growing and changing centre of gravity
- Increasing weight through the abdomen
- Changes in posture and walking patterns
- Greater demand on the low back, hips and pelvic joints
- Hormonal changes affecting the surrounding joints and ligaments
These changes are normal, but they do not always feel comfortable. In one study, 76% of the pregnant women surveyed experienced pregnancy-related low-back or pelvic girdle pain. Read the study on PubMed.
You may notice low-back pain, pelvic discomfort, stiffness, difficulty rolling over in bed, pain while walking or the feeling that one side of your body is working harder than the other.
It can be tempting to dismiss these symptoms as something you simply have to tolerate because you are pregnant. They may be common, but that does not mean they are normal.
What Is the Webster Technique?
The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic assessment and adjustment focused on the sacrum, sacroiliac joints and surrounding pelvic structures.
According to the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, its goal is to reduce the effects of sacral joint dysfunction and improve neurobiomechanical function in the sacral and pelvic region. Learn more from the ICPA.
In everyday language, your chiropractor looks at how your pelvis and surrounding structures are moving and functioning. If an area is not moving well, gentle chiropractic adjustments and soft-tissue techniques may be used to help restore more balanced movement.
The techniques are adapted to your stage of pregnancy and your individual needs. Pregnancy pillows or specialized table positioning can also be used so that you can lie comfortably without pressure on your abdomen.
Why Might Pelvic Alignment and Movement Matter for Birth Preparation?
Your body needs strength for birth, but it also needs movement, coordination and the ability to adapt.
Supporting pelvic function during pregnancy may help you:
- Move more comfortably as your body changes
- Maintain mobility through your low back, hips and pelvis
- Reduce strain on overworked muscles and joints
- Feel more comfortable changing positions
- Participate more easily in walking, exercise and birth-preparation activities
- Become more aware of how your body moves and where you hold tension
The goal is not to create a “perfect” pelvis or promise a perfect birth. Bodies and births are far more complex than that.
The goal is to help your body function as comfortably and effectively as possible while it does some very demanding work.
When Should You Begin Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy?
There is no single correct time to begin.
Some women seek care early in pregnancy because they are experiencing low-back or pelvic discomfort. Others begin later when their changing posture starts to affect walking, sleeping, working or exercising.
Some choose periodic care throughout pregnancy as part of their overall wellness and birth preparation. We suggest an assessment early in your pregnancy so if correction needs to be done with your pelvic alignment, it can be done earlier rather than later.
Your chiropractor will begin with a thorough assessment, ask about your pregnancy and health history, and develop recommendations based on what your body needs.
Chiropractic care also works as part of a collaborative prenatal team. Your chiropractor may work alongside your midwife, physician, pelvic-floor physiotherapist, naturopathic doctor or other healthcare providers when appropriate.
Pregnancy Care From Chiropractors Trained in the Webster Technique
At Waterdown Village Chiropractic & Wellness Group, we understand that pregnancy can be exciting, physically demanding and—yes—a little nerve-racking.
You deserve care that listens to your concerns without making you feel as though you are overreacting. You also deserve honest recommendations.
Our clinic has chiropractors with specific training in the Webster Technique and extensive experience caring for pregnant women. We adapt each visit to your stage of pregnancy, your comfort and your individual goals.
Whether you are experiencing discomfort or simply want to support your body as it prepares for birth, we are here to guide you.
Alignment Is Helpful. Skills Matter Too.
Preparing for birth is not only about what your body is doing. It is also about knowing what you can do during labour.
Understanding how to release tension, work with contractions and communicate with your birth team can replace some of the fear of the unknown with practical confidence.
That is why Dr. Cheryl van der Mark, one of our skilled perinatal chiropractors, created Skillful Birthing, an online, skills-based labour and delivery course for expectant parents and their partners.
Rather than simply telling you what may happen during labour, Skillful Birthing teaches you how to participate in the process using practical body skills and strategies to help reduce fear and better manage discomfort.
Chiropractic care can help support how your body moves. Skillful Birthing helps you learn how to use that body with greater confidence during labour.
You Do Not Have to Prepare for Birth Alone
You cannot control every part of pregnancy or birth—and trying to do so can create undue stress.
What you can do is surround yourself with knowledgeable support, care for your changing body and learn practical skills that help you feel more prepared.
If you would like to learn whether pregnancy-focused chiropractic care and the Webster Technique may be right for you, book an assessment with one of our trained chiropractors at Waterdown Village Chiropractic & Wellness Group.
Support your body. Build your skills. Approach birth feeling informed, capable and prepared.
