The Benefits of Prenatal Chiropractic Care: What Every Expecting Mom Should Know

Pregnancy is one of the most transformative seasons in a woman’s life, physically, emotionally, and structurally. As your body changes to support your growing baby, it also takes on new stresses. At KinActive Kids, where our mission blends pediatric gross motor development with family chiropractic care, we see firsthand how proper body alignment supports not only your pregnancy but your postpartum recovery and your baby’s development.

Many families don’t realize that chiropractic care is both safe and highly beneficial during pregnancy. Whether you’re expecting your first child or adding another little one to your family, here’s what the research shows and what you can expect from prenatal chiropractic care.

Why So Many Pregnant Women Experience Back Pain

Back pain during pregnancy is extremely common affecting up to 50% of women, and as many as 75% experience back pain during labor. Despite how common it is, only about 1 in 5 women seek help from a medical provider for pregnancy-related back pain.

There are several reasons pregnancy places extra stress on the spine and pelvis so let’s address them shall we?

Structural & Postural Changes

As your baby grows, your center of gravity shifts forward. This increases the curve in your lower back (lumbar lordosis) and places more pressure on your:

• Sacroiliac joints
• Intervertebral disks
• Facet joints

The average 25–35 pounds of pregnancy weight gain, carried primarily forward, adds even more strain, especially to the pelvis.

Soft Tissue & Ligament Changes

Hormonal shifts loosen ligaments to prepare for birth. While this is normal, it can lead to:

• Joint instability
• Muscle spasms
• Referred pain from the pelvis, bladder, rectum, and surrounding structures

These changes naturally affect balance, mobility, and comfort, not ideal when preparing for your newest bundle of joy, am I right?

How Chiropractic Care Helps During Pregnancy

Despite chiropractic care being underutilized among pregnant women, research has shown that it is safe, effective, and often transformative.

Pain Relief & Comfort

Studies show that:

• 75% of pregnant patients receiving chiropractic care report pain relief.
• In another study, 84% of pregnant women receiving chiropractic treatment found relief from back pain.
• One retrospective case series showed that after an average of 1–2 visits, women experienced meaningful improvement with no reported adverse effects.

Chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy use very gentle, specific techniques that respect your changing body.

Shorter Labor Times

Research reviewing hundreds of pregnancies found that:

• First-time moms under chiropractic care had 25% shorter labor times
• Moms who had previously given birth had 31% shorter labors

Better pelvic alignment can support more efficient labor dynamics, which we can all appreciate!

Lower Rates of Back Labor

Women who experienced back pain during pregnancy were nearly 3× more likely to experience back labor, but chiropractic care significantly reduced this risk.

Supports Pelvic Alignment for Birth

Proper pelvic balance allows:

• More room for the baby
• Reduced uterine constraint
• Improved fetal positioning

The Webster Technique: Supporting Baby Positioning

Some chiropractors, including myself at KinActive Kids, are trained in the Webster Technique, a gentle method focused on improving pelvic alignment and reducing tension in surrounding ligaments.

In a survey of chiropractors using this technique:

• 92% of cases resulted in resolution of breech presentation
• This is significant, as 3–4.6% of pregnancies are breech
• Breech positions often lead to cesarean delivery
• Chiropractic’s role is not to turn the baby, but to remove intrauterine constraint, giving the baby the optimal space to move into the correct position naturally

Safety of Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy

Research consistently demonstrates that prenatal chiropractic care is safe when performed by trained providers.

As chiropractors we avoid:

• Electrical stimulation
• Ultrasound therapies
• Radiographic imaging

We also screen for contraindications such as bleeding, severe pelvic pain, or signs of early labor to ensure that every patient is treated safely and appropriately.

Supporting Baby and Mom Postpartum

The birth process, even in the smoothest circumstances, puts considerable pressure on an infant’s spine. Forces from:

• Traction
• Hyperextension
• Vacuum or forceps use
• Cesarean delivery

…may affect mobility in the upper neck and back.

During our chiropractic evaluations for newborns we use only the lightest, gentle touch, often no more pressure than you’d use to test the ripeness of a peach. Research suggests that correcting spinal dysfunction early may support:

• Feeding
• Comfort
• Sleep patterns
• Symmetry in movement
• Early gross motor development

Postpartum Support for Moms

After delivery, a mother’s body must recover and realign. Chiropractic care can help:

• Restore pelvic balance
• Strengthen the core and spine
• Address pain from labor or feeding posture
• Support better mobility during newborn care
• Reduce the likelihood of persistent pelvic or low back pain

Women with more severe pelvic pain during pregnancy are more likely to struggle postpartum, making chiropractic support even more important.

Whole-Family Care at KinActive Kids

At KinActive Kids, our care doesn’t stop at chiropractic adjustments. Because our clinic also specializes in pediatric gross motor development, we uniquely understand how your body’s alignment influences your baby and vice versa.

We support families through:

• Prenatal chiropractic
• Postpartum rehabilitation
• Newborn and infant chiropractic evaluations
• Gross motor assessments
• Tummy time support
• Milestone tracking
• Personalized movement and strengthening plans

Whether you’re preparing for birth, recovering postpartum, or supporting your baby’s development, our team is here to empower you with knowledge, confidence, and expert care.

Thinking About Prenatal Chiropractic Care?

If you’ve wondered whether chiropractic could help you feel better during pregnancy, move more comfortably, or prepare your body for birth, the research is clear: it can.

Most importantly, it can help you feel supported, aligned, and confident through every stage of this journey.

If you’re ready to learn more or book a visit, the KinActive Kids team is here for you.

Need Additional Support?

At KinActive, we understand that every baby develops at their own pace, but we’re here to support you through every stage of your little one’s journey. If you have concerns about your baby’s motor development or are seeking guidance on encouraging more traditional crawling, we can help in a few ways.

• Take a masterclass. Best for parents needing professional guidance from the comfort of their own home.
• Book a Kamp. Best for parents with children experiencing atypical development.
• Book a virtual consultation with our clinic.

We offer comprehensive services designed to support your baby’s physical development, from structured therapy sessions to hands-on advice that you can implement at home. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and help your baby reach their full potential. And don’t forget to follow us on social media for more tips and information on your baby’s development!