Nurturing Your Journey: Holistic Support for a Healthy Pregnancy

Pregnancy is such a transformative experience for women. Filled with excitement, lots of wondering and plenty of anticipation. It also brings a wave of physical, chemical, and emotional changes that can leave expectant mothers feeling overwhelmed and very out of balance. At ACCC, we understand the importance of holistic care during this special time addressing the whole mother and her physical, chemical and emotional needs. Only then can a women move optimally into birth and beyond, when her needs are met.

How Your Body Adapts in Pregnancy

Your body undergoes incredible changes during pregnancy. Your growing baby shifts your center of gravity, highlighting pre-existing strains or imbalances. This may lead to back pain, pelvic discomfort, and postural changes. Bursts of relaxin, a hormone released during pregnancy, loosen ligaments to accommodate the widening pelvis, which can contribute to some instability at different stages of pregnancy. These pelvic changes can add to the sense of being ‘off balance’ or increase postural strain.
Chemically, hormonal fluctuations can impact nausea, moods, sleep patterns, and energy levels. The surges felt in pregnancy have not been felt in the body since the teenage years, and in the case of pregnancy are far higher levels.
Emotionally, the anticipation of motherhood can bring joy, excitement, fear, anxiety, and many other feelings. It's a time when many women feel the urge for support, village connections, knowledge and reassurance that is felt heavily as something missing when not available.

Empowering Your Journey: Building a Holistic Team

There are a range of healthcare options that can support you throughout your pregnancy. Here's how some of these approaches can make a difference:

• Chiropractic Care: Gentle adjustments by a chiropractor trained in pregnancy care can help alleviate muscle and joint discomfort, improve posture, and promote optimal nervous system function. This can lead to increased comfort, improved mobility, and a better overall sense of well-being. The Webster Technique is a technique used by trained Chiropractors (we use it at our practice here in Warners Bay). This is a technique that supports the balancing of the pelvis in pregnancy addressing asymmetry of structural and muscle and ligament elements.
• Massage Therapy: Prenatal massage can be a wonderful way to relieve muscle tension, reduce stress, and improve circulation. It can also help you sleep better and manage anxiety.
• Mental Health Professionals: Pregnancy can be a time of great emotional vulnerability. Therapists specialising in maternal mental health can provide support for anxiety, depression, and other challenges that may arise during this time.
• Lactation Consultants (IBCLC): A lactation consultant, specifically an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), can provide invaluable support with breastfeeding and other feeding challenges. They can offer prenatal support to prepare new mothers for their breastfeeding journey, guidance on latch techniques, address supply concerns, and help you navigate the early days of feeding your newborn.
• Naturopathy: A naturopath can provide guidance on nutrition, herbal remedies (safe for pregnancy), and lifestyle modifications to support your overall health and well-being during pregnancy. They can also address specific concerns like nausea or fatigue with natural approaches.

Beyond Relief: The Benefits of Holistic Care
The beauty of holistic care lies in its ability to address the interconnectedness of your physical, hormonal, and emotional well-being. By incorporating a combination of these approaches, you can create a comprehensive support system that empowers you to navigate the journey of pregnancy.

• Improved Nervous System Function: Chiropractic care focuses on promoting optimal nervous system function within the body. This may have a positive impact on everything from digestion and sleep to stress management and overall well-being [4,6,7,9].
• Reduced Pain and Improved Comfort: Chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, and other modalities such as acupuncture can all work together to alleviate pain points like backaches and sciatica. This allows you to move more freely, participate in activities you enjoy, and get a better night's sleep – all crucial factors in a healthy pregnancy [5,8].
• Enhanced Emotional Well-being: The physical changes you experience can sometimes lead to emotional stress and anxiety. Techniques like prenatal massage and gentle chiropractic care can promote relaxation and a sense of calm. Additionally, a naturopath can recommend natural remedies for sleep disturbances or mood fluctuations [10]. Therapists or other mental health professionals are an excellent source of support to improve mental health and emotional well-being.
• Optimal Positioning for Baby: Some studies suggest that chiropractic care may help promote a more optimal fetal position for birth [1,2,3]. This can potentially lead to a smoother delivery experience.

Personalising Your Pregnancy Care
At ACCC, we believe in collaborating with mothers to create a personalised care plan that addresses each individual’s unique needs and preferences. We work closely with other healthcare providers to ensure a seamless and supportive approach to your pregnancy journey.
Embrace the Journey
Pregnancy is a time of immense change and growth. By embracing a holistic approach to your health and well-being, you can navigate this journey with greater ease, confidence, and joy. Remember, you are not alone! Let our team at ACCC join your support network of friends, family, and healthcare professionals who can provide physical, emotional, and practical support.
Together, we can create a nurturing environment to support a healthy and empowering pregnancy journey for you and your growing baby and foster a beautiful transition into motherhood!

Additional Tips:

• Prenatal Yoga: Regular yoga practice can improve flexibility, strength, and balance, all of which are beneficial during pregnancy.
• Meditation: Meditation techniques can help manage stress and anxiety, promoting feelings of peace and inner calm.
• Healthy Eating Habits: Focus on a balanced diet full of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

[1] Considering Non-Optimal Fetal Positioning and Pelvic Girdle Dysfunction in Pregnancy: Increasing the Available Space https://jccponline.com/jccp_v11_n2.pdf#page=22
[2] Chiropractic care in women's health: A midwifery perspective https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/abs/10.12968/ajmw.2012.6.2.98
[3] The Webster Technique: A chiropractic technique with obstetric implications https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0161475402000155
[4] Manipulation of Dysfunctional Spinal Joints Affects Sensorimotor Integration in the Prefrontal Cortex: A Brain Source Localization Study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27047694/
[5] Drivers, barriers, and response to care of Australian pregnant women seeking chiropractic care for low back and pelvic girdle pain: a qualitative case study https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12998-023-00516-x
[6] Exploring the Neuromodulatory Effects of the Vertebral Subluxation and Chiropractic Care https://search.informit.org/doi/abs/10.3316/informit.326413372115168
[7] The role of spinal manipulation in addressing disordered sensorimotor integration and altered motor control https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1050641112000430
[8] Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation for Low Back Pain of Pregnancy: A Retrospective Case Series https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1526952305004435
[9] THE EXPLORATION OF POTENTIAL SPINAL MANIPULATION EFFECTS https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Brogan-Williams-2/publication/378800574_THE_EXPLORATION_OF_POTENTIAL_SPINAL_MANIPULATION_EFFECTS_-_Journal_of_Contemporary_Chiropractic/links/65ea7c9baaf8d548dcb0b36a/THE-EXPLORATION-OF-POTENTIAL-SPINAL-MANIPULATION-EFFECTS-Journal-of-Contemporary-Chiropractic.pdf
[10] Naturopathic Care for Anxiety: A Randomized Controlled Trial https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0006628