A woman’s body undergoes many transformations during the nine months of pregnancy. Some of these changes are visible, such as an expanding belly, while others, such as morning sickness and backaches, may not be as visible but equally well known. Then, there a few body changes may be unexpected and catch some women by surprise.
For example, during pregnancy a woman’s nutritional needs change. Increased key nutrients such as folate, iodine, iron and water, to name just a few. It is for this reason that a high quality prenatal is an essential part of your pre-pregnancy strategy to ensure your child every advantage to live an exceptional life. Prenatals should be started about a month before you plan to conceive.
A good prenatal should contain the following:
Folic Acid: reduces the risk of neural tube defects and spina bifida (the leading cause of paralysis in children). 600 micrograms per day. Folate from green leafy vegetables but it is more assimilated in the form of folic acid. Upper limit is 1,000 micrograms. Johns Hopkins Baltimore released a study showing risk of high folate levels in blood doubled risk of autism.
Iodine is important to the production of thyroid hormones that regulate the development of the fetal brain and nervous system. Pregnant mothers need 150 micrograms per day, typically in the form of potassium iodide, to ensure adequate supply to the fetus.
Choline: needed for brain development. 450 milligrams per day if you’re pregnant and 500 milligrams if you are lactating. Average diet is 280 mg. So you need about 200mg in a supplement (eggs 150 milligrams per egg, legumes).
Vitamin D: 1,000 IU day. 4,000 IU day
Iron need goes up during pregnancy, 27mg a day, eat red meat, supplement.
Thiamine riboflavin goes up by 50%
Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid): some studies show a decrease in preterm birth and reduction in allergies
Vitamin C increases slightly during pregnancy but increases greatly while lactating.
It is my belief that whole food supplements are always best. After all, you can’t improve on God. Whole food supplements are full of synergistic compounds, both known and unknown. I will post a link in the description to a few high quality, whole food, organic prenatals that meet the above nutritional requirements.
As your baby begins to grow in the womb, an estimated 85% of women experience back pain during pregnancy. Finding relief without the use of medication is almost always the best route for the health of mom and baby. Even over-the-counter medications can be risky to take before and during pregnancy. Why? All medications have side-effects, and these are often heightened during pregnancy. For instance, a drug like acetaminophen has been linked to a greater risk of ADHD and asthma in children. Likewise, NSAIDs have been linked to a 59% increased risk of miscarriage. Fortunately, These days more women are discovering the many benefits associated with Chiropractic care during pregnancy as well as labor and delivery.
During pregnancy, the hormone Relaxin is produced to help loosen the joints and ligaments of the pelvis to best prepare the body for birth. Relaxin not only relaxes those ligaments in the pelvis, but also stretches other joints and ligaments all over the body.
This is one reason pregnant women develop back pain or sciatica (pain that starts in the back and travels down the leg into the foot). As those ligaments become looser and the body’s center of gravity is pulled forward by a growing baby, which in turn increases the curve of her low back. A woman’s low back can become over-stressed by these biomechanical changes—that increased amount of stress on the low back often leads to pain.
In addition, the uterus and ovaries are directly innervated by the T12 nerve roots, while the cervix and structures below it are innervated by the S2 nerve roots. The implementation of chiropractic care as part of the treatment protocol during pregnancy may reduce the likelihood of in utero constraints and its associated risks after parturition. A 35 year study published in 2015 in the journal Pediatrics concluded that children delivered by cesarean delivery had significantly increased risk of asthma, systemic connective tissue disorders, juvenile arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, immune deficiencies and leukemia. Chiropractic care throughout pregnancy removes interference to the mothers nervous system, enhancing baby development and uterine function. It balances her pelvis, eliminating undue tension to muscles and ligaments and enhancing optimal fetal positioning. Chiropractic care offers the possibilities to help increase the chances of vaginal delivery and the safety of delivery.
Low force Chiropractic Spinal adjustments are considered a highly safe, effective, non-invasive, and evidence-based option for women to find relief from pregnancy-induced back pain. In addition to the direct influence the nervous system displays, it also controls the distribution of hormones to reproductive structures through the hypothalamus and pituitary glands.
A recent study found that patients who received care from their OB-GYN and Chiropractor together versus those who only saw an OB-GYN alone had greater reductions in pain and an improved quality of life and reduced labor times in first time moms by an average of 24% and women with multiple births by an average of 30%. What’s more, an amazing 90% of women report a high level of satisfaction with receiving chiropractic care during pregnancy, so it’s no wonder that chiropractic is one of the most popular “organic” healthcare choices for expecting moms.
Welcoming a child into the world is a special event, and no decision in that process should be taken lightly. It’s essential to understand and respect the body’s natural ability to navigate the process. Knowing this, the World Health Organization recommends four care practices that promote, support and protect a normal birth process:
- Let labor begin on its own. In many cases, inducing labor can increase the risk of complications for mother and child.
- Move and change positions during labor. Moving around can help labor progress and may shorten the total labor time.
- Bring a loved one or Doula for support. Labor support has shown to reduce the likelihood of cesarean section and improve the birth experience.
- Avoid interventions that aren’t necessary. Continuous electronic monitoring hasn’t been proven to provide better outcomes for the baby and may increase the risk of getting a c-section surgery.
Pregnancy is a special time in a woman’s life, and a unique time for the body. The changes that help guide a successful birth process can also wreak havoc on a woman’s back and joints. If you or an expecting mother you know are looking to find natural pain relief solutions, give us a call. We’re happy to evaluate you and work with your birth team to provide non-invasive, safe, effective care that can help keep you active through all three trimesters!
Recommended for you:
https://www.amazon.com/NATURELO-Prenatal-Whole-Food-Multivitamin/dp/B01M3Q83PG
