Kiddipedia

Kiddipedia

Are you pregnant and want to make sure your pregnancy is a comfortable and positive experience? Do you want to learn how to take care of your body during this transformative journey? Well, you’ve come to the right place!

Keep reading to learn more about how you can make your pregnancy as comfortable as possible with preconception advice, back pain management strategies, prenatal and postnatal care, as well as tips on finding the right healthcare team.

Prepare for Pregnancy with a Healthy Body and Positive Mindset

There are many factors that influence fertility. Many women approach this stage of their pregnancy journey with a positive mindset and a plan to improve or maintain their overall level of health. 

There are many things you can do prior to conception to improve your health and fertility such as:

  • Making sure you have a balanced nutritional intake
  • Undergoing regular routine blood tests to identify any potential concerns
  • Prioritising other health-related activities such as dental work

Therapy or coaching may also help to prepare your mind for the experience of pregnancy, childbirth and taking care of a baby.  

Address Pregnancy Back Pain and Discomfort

As your baby grows, there will naturally be increased pressure on your lower back. This pressure may lead to back pain or difficulty with shallow breathing due to the baby taking up all the room, but it’s not all doom and gloom.

In some women, pregnancy may also result in postural and biomechanical stress or imbalances. It is important to relax your body and address any physical stresses on your body to improve your pregnancy experience. 

If you experience back pain, pubic bone pain, abdominal pain, or postural stress while pregnant, there are many ways you can manage this pain. Care options include manual therapy such as chiropractic or physiotherapy, soft tissue massage, specific exercises as recommended by your health practitioner and postural or ergonomic changes (such as wearing a maternity support belt).

Ask your local health practitioner about different prenatal care options that address back pain and other postural issues when pregnant. 

Find the Right Healthcare Team For You

It is important to find the right healthcare team that is aligned with your values to help you make your pregnancy and childbirth experience a positive one. Research and consult with different health practitioners and don’t settle until you are 100% comfortable with them.

Joining a suitable support group may also help you with your mental and physical healthcare during pregnancy. For example, joining a support group for mothers may help you find reliable referrals to a healthcare team. A mothers support group may also help you with pregnancy and motherhood tips, gathered from first-hand experiences.

If you feel that you don’t have a reliable support network which is in line with your values, then employing a doula may be an option worth considering. A doula is essentially an experienced and informed support person for pregnant women.

Prenatal and Postnatal Care to Improve Your Pregnancy Experience

Prenatal care is a form of health care you’ll receive during or even before pregnancy to improve your chances of a healthy pregnancy. Prenatal care includes antenatal appointments with your health practitioner.  

Antenatal appointments are a great opportunity for you to learn more about your pregnancy, to check up on any symptoms that you may develop, and to stay updated on progress throughout your pregnancy. 

Most antenatal appointments will involve seeing a general practitioner, although you can also choose to see a midwife or obstetrician. Most pregnant women will attend around seven to ten antenatal appointments during their pregnancy.

Chiropractic care is another form of prenatal care pregnant women may consider. According to the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, ‘chiropractic evaluation and treatment during pregnancy may be considered a safe and effective means of treating common musculoskeletal symptoms that affect pregnant patients’.

Chiropractors will use specific checks to assess whether you have optimal pelvic balance and whether or not chiropractic may be beneficial to your health as part of your prenatal care. 

Chiropractic procedures are modified with low force techniques during prenatal care so that treatment is gentle and comfortable.

Postnatal care is another option you may consider to ease any musculoskeletal pains after pregnancy. 

Postnatal care may involve:

  • A postnatal health check up and debriefing about your birth experience
  • Physical and postural checks including chiropractic, orthopedic and neurological checks to determine your nervous system health
  • A postnatal health care plan devised by your health practitioner to help get your body back on track as soon as possible.

There are many steps you can take to care for your body and make your pregnancy a positive and comfortable experience. From taking care of your mind and body before conception, to finding the right healthcare and support network, to prenatal and postnatal care, there is lots to enjoy.

 

Dr. Kerry Falzon (Chiropractor)

Dr. Kerry Falzon (Chiropractor) is the principal chiropractor and founder of Our Family Chiropractor. Kerry studied a Bachelor of Chiropractic Science degree and followed this up with a Master of Chiropractic. Kerry has a passion for natural healthcare, particularly helping her clients achieve optimal nervous system health and spinal function. Areas of clinical interest include care for pregnant women, paediatric care, newborns, mums, dads, grandparents & athletes.