Becoming a parent is one of life’s most incredible yet difficult transitions, but it’s also a time when the body goes through enormous physical, hormonal, and emotional changes. As a chiropractor and now a dad for the second time (our littlest one is 8 weeks old as I write this), I’ve witnessed both professionally and personally how transformative chiropractic care can be throughout pregnancy and into the postpartum stage. We regularly see pregnant women.
My wife had regular chiropractic care throughout both her pregnancies, and we’ve both seen the difference it made (her especially), not just in terms of managing physical discomfort, but in setting her up for a smoother birth and stronger recovery.
If you or someone you care about is pregnant, thinking about getting pregnant, or deep in the challenging weeks after giving birth, I want to share why chiropractic can be such a powerful and supportive tool during this time.
A Changing Body And Shifting Spine
Pregnancy is a beautiful, miraculous thing. But it also places increasing stress on the spine and pelvis as the baby grows. Hormones like relaxin soften the ligaments to make space for birth, which is necessary but can also lead to instability in the joints, particularly around the pelvis and lower back.
As the bump grows, the centre of gravity shifts forward. Posture changes. Muscles compensate. It’s no wonder that so many women experience lower back pain, pelvic girdle discomfort, sciatica, and even headaches during pregnancy.
This is where chiropractic care can really shine.
Chiropractic helps to restore balance and mobility to the spine and pelvis, improving alignment, and reducing the muscular tension that builds as the body adapts. One of the key goals is to keep the pelvis as symmetrical and mobile as possible which isn’t just about comfort, but will also influence how the baby is positioned in the womb.
Creating Space for Baby and Easing Labour
Most people, but especially pregnant women we see, are surprised to learn that pelvic alignment can actually affect the baby’s position in the uterus. A pelvis that is tilted or restricted can create what’s known as intrauterine constraint, a limitation of space that makes it harder for the baby to settle head-down into the optimal position for birth.
You might even be horrified to think “Well surely you’re not going to do those cracking adjustments you do on me, with a pregnant person are you”?
Not necessarily. There are pregnancy specific chiropractic techniques that focus on reducing this tension and helping the pelvis and surrounding ligaments move more freely. While it’s not a “baby-turning” technique per se, it’s been associated with an increased chance of babies moving into the right position naturally, particularly when used earlier in pregnancy and potentially even leading to less breach babies.
But beyond baby positioning, there’s some fascinating evidence suggesting that regular chiropractic care during pregnancy may also lead to shorter labour times and reduced need for interventions.
One retrospective study found that women who had chiropractic care throughout their pregnancy experienced labours that were 25–31% shorter on average, depending on whether it was their first or subsequent child. Other research has linked improved spinal function to better uterine nerve communication, which could support more efficient contractions and less muscular resistance during labour.
While more large-scale studies are always needed, the general trend from both clinical experience and published research is encouraging and for many women, even the possibility of an easier labour is reason enough to explore care.
My Wife’s Experience — A Personal Perspective
Throughout both our pregnancies, my wife made chiropractic a regular part of her routine. Especially toward the later stages when the bubbas were at their biggest and everything felt like hard work, she found it helped ease the tightness around her low back, reduce pelvic discomfort, and generally feel more mobile and comfortable.
This time around, the postpartum phase has been even more revealing. While it’s easy to focus all your attention on the new baby (and understandably so!), the fourth trimester is also when your body most needs support to recalibrate, recover, and regain its structural stability. Chiropractic care has been essential in helping her recover her posture, reduce tension from breastfeeding and lifting, and support her return to exercise and movement.
Both of our labours, although resulting in two completely different journeys and birth locations, were relatively short at 6 and 5 hours, which my wife credits to the care and support she received throughout the pregnancies.
Recovery Is a Journey, Not an Event
After childbirth, the body doesn’t magically snap back into place no matter what Instagram might suggest. Ligaments stay loose for months. Hormones fluctuate. And you’re constantly picking up, feeding, soothing, and holding your baby (usually in some pretty awkward positions). That’s why it’s so important to continue caring for the spine and pelvis even after birth.
One area that often gets overlooked is the pelvic floor — a group of muscles essential for core strength, bladder control, and overall stability. Research suggests that good spinal alignment and nerve function may play a role in helping these muscles activate more effectively. A 2016 study in the Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, for example, found improved pelvic floor muscle engagement following spinal adjustments.
What does that mean practically? It could help with:
- Better postural support
- Reduced low back and hip pain
- Improved continence
- A safer return to movement and exercise
Chiropractic is often the missing piece when there’s lingering discomfort or imbalance in how the body is moving post-birth, and working alongside our sports therapists (for post part strength and reconditioning plans) means we can deliver a full and holistic recovery plan.
Building Community
If you’re already a member of Care For Health, you know we’re passionate about helping people take charge of their health. We’re not just focussing on getting you out of pain, but on helping you move, function, and feel your best throughout life.
And for those of you who’ve already experienced the benefits of care — this is where you come in.
We would love for you to share your story with a friend or family member who might be pregnant or recently had a baby. You’d be amazed how many people are quietly struggling with pregnancy-related pain, tension, or recovery issues and don’t realise there are safe, effective options to support them.
Sometimes, all it takes is a personal recommendation to help someone feel confident enough to take that first step.
Pregnancy and postpartum are some of the most demanding and beautiful times in a person’s life. And while there’s no perfect roadmap, having the right support, understanding and care options can make all the difference not just in managing discomfort, but in helping the body function optimally and recover more fully.
As both a chiropractor and a father, I can honestly say that I’ve seen and lived the value of regular chiropractic care during this time….but I’m clearly biased.
So if someone you know is on this journey, we’d be honoured to support them.
Dr Mark Fairclough, MChiro, DC and family
