Pregnant and Needing Chiropractor Advice

Hey S.,

I went to the chiropractor throughout both of my pregnancies. I think my last visit I was 39 weeks. But my first daughter was 2 weeks late and went up to a few days before. My chiropractor has a table that drops in the middle specially made for pregnant women. It’s awesome. It’s called Winter Park Chiropractic and it is kind of a far drive for me but he was so worth the drive.

Beth

S.,
I had a back problem while I was about 6 months pregnant, and I went to Dr. Reina of Florida Orthopedic Institute, up in North Tampa. I was referred to him by a midwife - she knew he had lots of experience with pregnant women. He was great. It is difficult to get an appointment and you wait forever once you get there. Also it is probably a long drive for you. But it was worth it for me!

A.

I have 2 good chiropractors in town - both women- who are used to working with pregnant women. in NW Bradenton, call Maria Carlton. In Lakewood Ranch, call Cyndi Hornback

I see you've gotten tons of rec's so far, but you didnt say where you live. If you are in Pinellas county, I highly recommend Dr Julie Hunt at Mayer Chiropractic. www.mayerchiropractic.com You can read about their techniques on the website. They are not the traditional chiropractor (where your hear and feel cracking and popping) They adjust you while laying on your side and its VERy gentle, but yet extremely effective. If it weren't for Dr hunt I would have been bedridden for much of my last pg.

I was thirty with my last pregnancy and had chiropractic adjustments for my lower back pain. It helped me tremendously not to mention my delivery was easier. Your chiropractor should have a table to accomodate pregnant women. Good luck.

im don't have any experience with a chiropractor durring pregnancy but i did have alot of pain in my back and my legs to the point some days i couldn't even get out of bed. what helped me through those times was to soak in some warm water, not hot water cause that can cause you to go into labor early. I know you said you don;t like taking pain pills even tylenol but if the pain gets worse i would just take 2. i had a friend who was the same way but she couldn't get into the tub let alone get out. im not sure going to a chiropractor would be good sence you are so far along you don't know if would cause complications for you or the baby. i hope this helps in some way.

I saw a chiropractor 2 weeks before I delivered. My neck was out and I couldn't stand it. He did have a special table that adjusted for my belly, but he also had some other techniques that didn't require I lay on my belly. Call your chiro and see if he has a table that adjusts. If not, reply to my message and I'll give you my chiro's number...he's in south st pete.

Hi S. - I had great success with a chiropractor during all 4 of my pregnancies and I even saw them until I was 40 weeks (I was overdue with them all) They have pillows and special tables they use for pregnant women. I would recommend using someone who has extra courses in prenatal care or find one that someone recommends. Best of luck and hang in there. I remember the lower pain in the back subsiding within hours of having baby.

C.

Oh, man, a chiropractor really helped me during my second pregnancy...even up to my delivery. I wasn't comfortable with the first person I visited, but I found a place that adjusts without crunching your body up. I wouldn't have been walking at the end without their help.

I live in Naples. Email me back if you want the name of the chiropractor that helped me.

Melissa O'Brien :)

Hi S.,
I have not had any problems during my pregnancy where I had to see a chiropractor, but the chiropractor I do see now specilazes in infants, children and also adults and pregnant women. VERY loving, warm, caring enviroment. If you want I can have a gift certificate for you for a consolation and exams, valued at $150... I have been going to him since Nov. of last year and the benifits are TREMENDOUS. Email me if you have further questions or would like the certificate, I hope I can help you!
K.

Your back pain is most likely the baby shifting possition to get ready to be born. Many women have back pain during pregnancy and it seems to be gone once the birth has taken place. I wouldn't dream of going to a chiropractor with out talking to my obstetrition first. You can also ask him about tylenol. You could go into labor anytime now,I myself wouldn't risk a back adjustment. Granny

Why don't you ask your OB. Mine has always been wonderful about recommending docs and services for any of my ailments. Usually, I decline, because they aren't severe enough. But, in your case, maybe a little educated advice would be good.

I was not that far along when I was having my real big issues with low back pain, but I was like 6 months. My ob recommended a chiro that had a pregnancy table (not in this area) and it was soooo much help. I would ask your ob first

I went to my chiropractor up to 38 1/2 weeks due to my ongoing sciatica issues(which most pain relievers don't do anything for anyways)....although my ob seemed hesitant(as most traditional "western medicine" physicians are about any holistic/homeopathic or eastern medicine practices...but I completely trusted my chiropractor(Dr Dan Gianquinto at House of Health in Downtown Orlando)....he knew what he could/couldn't do during pregnancy adjustments......and the relief was worth it!!! Plus your chiropractor might be able to suggest some other comfort measures like stretching exercises or pregnancy/prenatal massages.....good luck! L.

Hello S.,

I have been a massage therapist for over 14 years and when I was pregnant with both my kids, I saw a chiropractor on a regular basis. I actually traded massage for adjustments and have to tell you how much better I felt. Most have a table that is adjustable to accomodate VERY pregnant moms. Massage is another great option, just make sure you find someone certified in prenatal massage. It is important they know what is contraindicated, or areas to stay away from. You can find great books and videos that help if your partner would be willing to do the massage for you. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy, and do whatever you can to get as much sleep now as you possibly can.

G.
www.Earthmomz.com
www.ConcernedMoms.com

Hi S., I went to a chiropractor through my pregnancy. My guy had a table that is vertical, you step facing it and he tipped it forward until it was horizontal. The middle section clapses creating room for the belly. It was no big deal.
The reason I went in the first place was that my first daughter had a traumatic birth and her cervical spine was out of alignment. She had 3 back to back ear infections until the chiropractor manipulated it back into the correct position. I guess the pressure on the nerves that help the ear canal to drain were compromised. She has had no ear infections since. Deb

I had a wonderful pregnancy, but did have some siatica (sp?). Sometimes I could hardly walk! I went to a chiropractor who has alot of experience helping pregnant women. I was between 25-30 weeks. Just 2 visits and I was pain-free! I highly recommend it!

Hi S.,

At the Birth Center we HIGHLY recommend chiropractic care throughout the pregnancy. Of course the chiropractor would need to familiar in caring for pregnant women. We find in the last few weeks of pregnancy that it really helps to ease the common lower back ache that you are describing and also helps bring the baby to a good position. I have a few good practitioners that I can recommend if you are in the Tampa/New Tampa area. Hope this helps!

B. (midwife at Labor of Love Birth Center in Lutz)

I have had very pregnant moms receive chiropractic treatment for low back pain. I specialize in acupuncture and tuina massage which is also very good at relieving back pain. If you need a recomendation for chiro trained in pregnancy care or need further assistance please call.
M. K, RN, AP
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I highly recommend Dr. Stoltz on Parsons Avenue in Seffner. He has many pregnant patients and is against taking any medication, he believes in the natural relief. Correcting the spine alignment and is a complete wellness doctor. My family is going to him and loves him. If you go tell them that Kathy Thorn recommended you. His number is ###-###-####.

I had chiropractic care all during my pregnancy and even was adjusted the morning of the day I went into labor. Most chiropractor's know how to maneuver around the belly and it makes you feel so much better. Good luck on the pregnancy and delivery.

I'm not sure if this would be helpful, but have you tried pelvic rocks?
This could help relieve some of the pressure...get on all fours (hands & knees), and slowly and gently move your tailbone, pushing it to the sky then pulling it down to the floor.
I'm 34 weeks with my first and definitely "feel your pain"!
Also, if the chiropractor is qualified to work with pregnant women I wouldn't worry about how they will work around your belly...that's their job!
Best of luck.

Absolutly go to the chiro if they are specialized in dealing with pregnant women. Mine was the only thing keeping me walking / moving while I was pregnant with my last baby.They had no problems dealing with the belly and were very gentle. I kept going till about a week before I had the baby ( little stinker was late). I would have sciatic nerve pinches so bad they would literaly stop me in my tracks. I wish I had gone to one with all my other pregnancies.
I get huge too! I am only 5' 4" there is no place but out for my babies to go :)

You can do it! I know it seems like a long time but you will meet your little one soon and the lack of sleep will be from a different cause all together :)
Good luck

Hi there. I can recommend Dr. Maddock located in the Temple Terrace area. I visited with him once due to the same discomfort. He was recommended to me by my doula, which I trust very much, Stephany Mills from Touched by an Angel. I am currently 35 pregnant with my third, and have experienced horrible lower back pain too....to the point of not being able to walk as well. I felt better when I left and knew that I had to come back...but my ins. does not cover his practice and I really could not afford to keep going back. He made his recommendations of these to try at home and they seem to work. You can try giving him a call and see what you think ###-###-####. Hope this info helps and good luck with your new baby....they are a wonderful gift :)
Kathy

I saw my chiropractor every 3 weeks during my entire pregnancy. She has a drop table for pregnant women. It drops out to make space for your belly and she can adjust you like that without discomfort. Her name is Dr. Terry Hohl and she is in Clearwater off of Belcher. She has her own practice called Balance Chiropractic. I had horrible lower back pain and sciatic nerve problems while pregnant with my youngest (hes 7 mos. now) It was a relief to be adjusted. Good luck and congrats on your baby!!

Hello S.,

Gee, I sure know what your going through hon. I was 40 when I was pregnant, and I was working until 3 months into the pregnancy, then, I could no longer sit, stand or lay for any amount of time without having lower back pain.

So, I went to the back docter, got an X-ray done, and found out, that I had a slight case of scoleosis on my right side, which is a curvature of the spine and that's what was causing my pain.

I started swimming a lot, all the way until 9 months..lol.and I walked a lot, I found those excersizes to be quite helpful, but don't overdue it. I layed down also, and read...which kept my mind busy.

Some babies also rest on your spine, causing pain. Definately check with your docter though, cause we don't like to see Moms in pain...
Many blessings with you & hubby's first baby hon, and you'll be fine!
Peace, Love & Unity...
M.

Hello, I am a massage therapist and I specialize in prenatal massage. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I unfortunatly do not know any chiros in this area to recommend. Please let me know who you chose and if you liked them. Good luck

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Just ask questions, like how many pregnant women have you worked on ? etc. till you find one that makes you comfortable with their approach. Of course you will not be lying on your stomach, but on your sides. You still can get much needed relief. Good luck, K.

Hi,

I had that problem at the beginning of my pregnancies. I did opt for 1 Tyelnol only when the pain was unbearable. I never did go to a chiropractor. I understand being against all meds, I was too, but some days I just had to. My kids are all normal and perfectly fine. They are 5 yo twins and a 4 year old.
Good luck! Motherhood is the best thing!

Roz

Call your chiropractor and ask if he adjusts pregnant women. I went to a chiropractor weekly while pregnant until my child was born and found it extremely helpful. My chiropractor had a special cushion he put on the table to make it more comfortable for me. There's no danger to the child as they are well protected in the amniotic fluid. I also took my baby to the chiropractor probably monthly after he was born, and we still continue to go regularly. He is 9 now.
If your chiropractor is hesitant for some reason, I can recommend one in Palm Harbor.

There is a Dr Madock in Temple Terrace that works with pregnant women, his number is ###-###-####. I haven't been to him but he was recommended by my doula who saw him during her pregnancy (and still does I believe) should I need him. There's also one in the New Tampa area, I think it was Dr Bain at ###-###-####, who adjusts the women who go to Labor of Love. If it's Dr Bain I'm thinking of (and I'm almost positive it is although I've looked everywhere for his card and can't find it) he brings his dog to the clinic I work at and is very nice. While I know that both of them work with pregnant women I'm not sure up to what point.

I also had chiropractic care during both of my pregnancies (I also had acupuncture). Some of them do have the special table for your belly so you are not laying on your baby. I have even had prenatal massage that is the same. I actually had a massage at 8 months with my son and the therapist had me lay on my side for the massage. This worked wonders for me.
A heating pad should relieve some of the pain too.
I agree with what some of the other posters said too, you may have that pain due to where the baby is sitting so chiropractic may only help if you need an adjustment. I know my chiropractor didn't do any substantial adjustments on my lower back to avoid twisting my belly, so you may not even get adjusted in that area.
Also, if some of your pain is during the night, make sure you have a pillow or wedge between your legs to have your legs at a good distance apart. This seems to help with lower back pain. You can also try stretching your back some in bed by attempting to pull one leg at a time with knee bent towards your chest. This will prove somewhat difficult, but any stretching helps!
Good luck! You are in the home stretch and you'll find that once you have the baby the pain will be gone. It was with my son.

Hi S.! Congratulations on being a mommy! I remember being where you are and now my little one is almost two. It really is amazing that we go through all of that and forget! I had really bad Sciatica and the nerve ran over a fatty deposit that was on my hip because of years in retail. I was in so much pain! Sometimes I would have to catch my fall because my leg would give out while walking. One thing I really liked was those Icy Hot Patches. They come in a long patch that can be stretched across the bottom of your back and it really helped me. I also found that if I stretched a lot throughout the day on one of those yoga balls it made my nights a little easier. I also recommend spending time in water. At least it will relieve the pressure for a while and you'll stay cool. I think when you are at the end nothing really helps...especially when you gain 65 pounds like me! This will be over soon!
~J.

S.,

I had chiropractic adjustments up until I delivered. I had been seeing my chiro due to a car accident several years ago & was on maint. when I got preg. It was very help when the baby turned, which was the most painful time for me. Overall while I was preg. I wasn't that painful. But I did have pressure on my sciatic.
I would just ask you chiro. Most have special tables that adjust to your belly. It was so nice to lay on my belly for a few minutes. Also Electro stim is OK, but not Ultrasound. The babies don't like it. If your chiro doesn't fell comfortable with adjusting you maybe he/she can refer you to someone who does.

I have seen a chiropractor since suffering from years of shoulder pain. It was amazing the pain relief I received. I was such a sceptic. During my pregnancy, I had excruciating back pain and again saw a chiropractor (different one because I was living out of town). Wow! If it wasn't for chiropractic, I don't know how I could've survived.

How interesting that I am now married to one. To this day I am amazed with the wonders of chiropractic. Cobb Rehab & Wellness on Busch Blvd. serves many pregnant women. They have a special adjusting table with a hole in the middle just for the pregnant mom. I highly recommend. They have very affordable cash care, often cheaper than insurance co-pays. ###-###-####.

I went to a chiropractor when I had a huge pregnant belly... They have special tables that open up to accomodate our bellies. You need to find a Chiropractor that accomodates Pregnant women. www.southwestspine.com is one in your area that I could find.
I know the pain you are in. I hope this helps... Another thing you might want to do is to get into the pool and float. That will help too!

Blessings to you and your new approaching family.

K. J.

I would recomend it. I would call a midwife, someone who supports natural child birth, and ask for a referal.

Sounds like the baby is aggravating your siatic nerve. Mine hurt all during the last trimester. Lucky for me, my MIL is a massage therapist, every week, when it began to hurt again, I would go see her. She would stretch my lower back, via leg positioning. It always helped. I had to continue this for about 3 months after my baby was born, as everything was going back into position. If you find a good, reputable chiropractor it will be fine. I would, it made my life so much easier.

I would not see a chiropractor until after the child is born. Then as far as I am concerned they do more harm than good in the long run. I had the lower back pain that you are experiencing and during labor it was the worst. The doctor told me the pain was from where the baby was sitting and that there isn't much you can do about it. He did have me put a heating pad on my back in the evenings before bed so I could sleep better. Back massages will help some also. But for the most part you just have to suffer it out until after the baby is born. Then it will be sore for a few months while healing back up. In the end it is well worth it. Good Luck!

Hey! Im super preggo too! I go to Perkins Chiropractic in Ft. Myers, FL (not sure where you are).. I have gotton a couple of helpful adjustments from these kind, family oriented, professional folks. U can get a massage too (in the chair).
Also, my midwife suggested that I take Calcium "+" by Rainbow Light brand... 3 at night (i have them bedside).. It worked!! it has helped w/ everything.. sleeping, leg tingles, hip and back comfort. I also use a "boppy" body pillow (got it at Target).. using as directed... unbelieveable how it has helped.. Dont get me wrong, I still wake up 1-2 times to pee and shift during the night, but no pain or problems drifting back to dreamy land... And the boppy cradles that big belly too! Oh yeah, I have another pillow on the "Right" side, so when I shift, I have a pillow for the belly already in place for him. No matter what pillow you use, its key to keep a pillow between your legs/knees... that keeps your hips aligned.....Good Luck! Im due in August!! aaaaah! 1st time mommy too!!

S.,

I used a chiro the entire time my second preg. I had no problems they have special pillows that go around your belly to prop you up so you can lay on your belly without actually laying on your belly. I also got massages deep tissue once every two weeks! My ob said it was good. So girl dont suffer! They should be able to accomodate if not try the chiro on the corner of Marcum and Socrum loop in n lakeland. Good luck!!

I feel your pain. I was the same way, no meds during both my pregnancies. My ob/gyn advised using a tennis ball, rolling it around in the lower spine area for pain relief. That helped me tremendously. You can also try some pregnancy back exercises. Those helped me too. I'm sure there are some books or videos/dvd's available that can illustrate how to do them. Hope these suggestions help!

Hi S.! As far along as you are, I am not sure you could find a chiro either, but I wanted to at least offer my experience. I saw a chiro during both of my pregnancies. He did the adjustments with me lying on my back after about 20 weeks. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was for him to still do adjustments to help my lower back, especially in the later months.
My husband's cousin also used a chiro and a doula during her second childbirth to help prevent a repeat c-section. Both were incredibly helpful and it worked. She said the chiro did a lot of adjustments during the labor and helped get the baby in a position to come out naturally. She swears she would have never been able to due a VBAC if not for his help.
Good luck and enjoy your last few weeks of anticipation! Hopefully it will be pain free!

Hi S.

I work for a chiropractor and have worked for her since I was pregnant with my second child. I felt so much more relief with my second pregnancy due to the regular adjusments. My chiropractor has a mid section drop on the table. This allows you to lay on the table with little to no pressure on your belly. I would recommend you calling your doctor to see if the table they use has the same accomodations. They can also sometimes adjust while in a seated position, just depends on the doctor. We see lots of pregnant women thru to due date and are able to have them adjusted with no complications for the doctor. Give your doc a call and try to get back in, no need for the discomfort so late in the game.

check your insurance. Mine covers going to physical therapy for prenatal massages. I looked into it when I was having really bad sciatic pain about a month ago. I too had bad lower back pain with my first pregnancy and will go this route if it happens again. I am a "anti-chiropractor" person, so this sounds like a good idea to me. I guess if you go, you make darn sure they specialize in pre-natal care. Good luck, you are almost there! I have been there, so I really hope you find something that helps.

I would not recommend that, when you are that far pregnant your pelvis becomes soft and spongy to cradle the baby and extra weight. This is a normal feeling, I have 3 kids and while prego I had to rest often by placing a pillow in between my legs and resting on my left side. You never want to redirect the spine while pregnant you will mess up what nature is trying to accomplish. Don't worry sweetie the pain will only last few more weeks. Good luck and take care of yourself these last moments are for mommy and baby hibernating LOL TAKE IT EASY!!!

P.S these pains could be braxton and hix (false labor pains) pressure and getting prepared pains!!!!

I saw a chiropractor during my pregancy with no issues at all! And I was caring twins! I would just call and make sure that s/he sees pregnant women. goodluck!