Motherhood starts long before pregnancy. Prenatal care should start at least one year before the hopeful parents start trying to get pregnant. The reason for this early start is because of the prominent use of birth control, the horribly toxic environment in which we live, and the havoc pregnancy plays on the mother’s body structure.

While birth control can help reduce unwanted pregnancies, it may also cause difficulties with regard to the woman’s ability to get pregnant. Female hormones are a complex cycle of highs and lows that control the release of specific hormones at particular times. This complex cycle involves many organs of the body including the brain, thyroid, adrenal glands, ovaries, and uterus to keep the cycle consistent. Birth control stops the “highs and lows” that regulate the cycle and uses chemicals that mimic hormones to hold the cycle at one spot where pregnancy is least likely to occur. The problem with stopping the cycle is that the organs involved in a regular cycle need the feedback from the hormones involved (“highs and lows”) to function properly. When the cycle is held-up by birth control, the organs (brain, thyroid, etc.) do not receive this feedback and then lose their ability to function properly. Many fertility problems happen because of extended use of birth control and the body’s inability to get their cycle back on track. Returning to a normal cycle can be done without hormone replacements under proper care from a knowledgeable natural care provider. While each patient will be different, most patients on birth control will need to change their nutrition and improve their detoxification.

After identifying birth control use and how to return the patient’s cycle to normal, it is also important to look at the patient’s levels of toxicity and ability to detoxify. The body is constantly producing and eliminating hormones as it moves through its regular cycle. The process of eliminating the hormones is also complex. First the hormone needs to be detoxified by the liver, and then it needs to be eliminated by the digestive tract. If this does not happen correctly, the original hormone can be changed to a dangerous form and reabsorbed into the body where it can cause damage or change the cycle. Symptoms of this type of problem can be irregular cycles, cramping and bloating, and mood swings throughout the cycle. However, other symptoms, like constipation, diarrhea, and foul smelling or large amounts of gas are also flags that there is a problem that needs to be treated. Besides the hormones our body produces and the synthetic hormones that are used for birth control, there are many hormones we are exposed to without knowing. Most non-organic meat, milk, cheese or other animal by-product will have hormones. The animals are given hormones to speed their growth or production. They pass their hormones on to us when we consume them. We are also subjected to hormone mimicking chemicals and hormone disrupting chemicals through plastics, pesticides, make-up, sunscreen, and drinking water. This is why it is essential to have a healthy detoxification system and digestive system.

When the mother does become pregnant, the biomechanics and structure of her body will change dramatically. Proper spinal and pelvic balance throughout the pregnancy is important for both mother and baby to enjoy their pregnancy and birth. During pregnancy the mother’s center of gravity will change and her body will make compensations in her posture to balance this change. It is very important that her pelvis is balanced and moving correctly, especially her sacrum or tailbone. The baby is given room to move during the pregnancy as the pelvis widens and the mother’s belly grows. However, if there is pelvic or spinal misalignment, the uterus and baby can become constrained. This can cause major problems further along in pregnancy. To avoid this complication, make sure to see a trained chiropractor who can evaluate and adjust any imbalances. This will help the mother have a pleasant pregnancy and easy birth while reducing the stress and trauma on the baby. Reducing the stress and trauma on the baby and avoiding unnecessary and unnatural drugs and procedures will promote proper development and reflex integration of the child.

The steps above should be considered for each and every future pregnancy, so both mom and baby are able to enjoy the experience and leave it healthy. In our office, we are able to identify hormone imbalances, impaired detoxification, and digestive problems through laboratory testing. As a chiropractor I identify structural imbalances and treat them with low force adjustments that do not torque the mother and leave her relaxed and pain free.

Throughout motherhood there is constant stress and strain placed on the body from lifting, carrying, swinging, and chasing children. The imbalances from diaper bags and purses on the shoulders can cause neck, upper back and should problems. Improper lifting can cause low back and leg pains. These imbalances and pains can be helped by visiting your favorite chiropractor. Along with these structural stressors placed on mothers, many women have thyroid imbalances and all women will experience menopause at some time in their life. These too can be helped through guidance in nutrition and proper adjusting.

If you are a mother-hoping-to-be, mother-to-be, or already a mother, and have questions about natural care before, during, or after pregnancy please call the office for a free phone consultation.