Chiropractic Care for Pregnancy and Birth
When Dr. Audrey Lee was 38 weeks pregnant, she was still delivering chiropractic adjustments to her patients. While everyone around her wondered how she could possibly still be working, Audrey understood something most expecting mothers don't: proper alignment during pregnancy isn't just about comfort—it's about creating the optimal conditions for birth.
As both a pediatric chiropractor and a new mom herself, Audrey recently joined me on the podcast to share insights that could transform how you experience pregnancy, labor, and postpartum recovery.
The Reality: Your Body Is Carrying the Equivalent of Two Rice Sacks
Let's talk numbers. Between your baby, amniotic fluid, placenta, and natural weight gain, you're carrying around 10 kilograms (or more) of extra weight. That's like strapping two large bags of rice to your front and carrying them around all day, every day.
Your pubic bone, which normally faces forward, is now angled downward under all that weight. Your lower back curve intensifies as your body tries to compensate. And that upper back? It's rounding forward as your breasts become heavier and more sensitive.
The result? Many women experience shooting sciatic pain, pubic bone discomfort, carpal tunnel syndrome (yes, even during pregnancy), and general exhaustion from their bodies working overtime to adapt.
When Should You Actually Start Chiropractic Care?
Here's what Audrey recommends: Don't wait until you're in pain.
While many Malaysian patients wait until 8-12 weeks to start care, the ideal approach is preventative. Fix your posture and alignment before you add significant weight. Think of it as preparing your foundation before building a house.
Throughout pregnancy, Audrey suggests getting checked every 2-3 weeks to ensure your pelvis stays aligned. Why does this matter so much?
The Birth Connection Most Doctors Won't Tell You About
Your pelvic alignment directly affects three critical factors for birth:
1. Baby's Position: When your pelvis is tilted or misaligned, your baby has less room to turn into the optimal position (head down, facing your tailbone). This is the position that allows the smallest part of the baby's head to descend first.
2. Labor Duration: If your baby isn't in the ideal position, they need time to rotate during labor. More rotation means longer labor. Longer labor means more exhaustion. More exhaustion means higher risk of intervention.
3. Exit Space: Think of your pelvis as a doorway. If it's misaligned, you don't have two doors fully open—you might only have one and a half. A congested exit means prolonged labor and increased likelihood of emergency interventions.
This is why so many women end up with emergency C-sections. It's not always medically necessary—sometimes it's the result of preventable misalignment.
Postpartum: When Things Get Worse (And Why That's Normal)
Here's the truth nobody wants to hear: postpartum is often worse than pregnancy when it comes to body alignment.
Why? You've just been through the physical trauma of birth—a process that involves positions and forces your body doesn't encounter any other time. Then immediately, you're:
Breastfeeding or bottle-feeding in a hunched position
Carrying your baby constantly
Changing diapers while bent over
Operating on zero sleep
Completely forgetting what proper posture even feels like
Many women don't "bounce back" because they're stuck in pregnancy posture even after the baby is out. The increased thoracic curve remains. The forward lean continues. And now you've added repetitive stress from baby care.
Audrey experienced sciatica both right before and right after giving birth. The good news? Chiropractic care could address it.
The Baby Question: Is Chiropractic Care Safe for Newborns?
This is where many parents get nervous. But here's a perspective that might help: research shows that the force doctors use to pull babies during delivery is significantly higher than the pressure pediatric chiropractors use during adjustments.
Audrey adjusted her daughter Ava at just five days old. Not because Ava was showing symptoms, but because her 45-minute pushing phase (slightly longer than the ideal 30 minutes) suggested there might be some tension.
Sure enough, Ava's head was tilted fully to one side with less than half the normal range of motion to the other side. After the adjustment, she slept better and burped more easily.
Four Signs Your Baby Might Benefit from Chiropractic Care
Babies do four things: eat, sleep, move, and poop. If any of these aren't working well, it's worth getting checked:
Eating: Does your baby latch confidently on both sides, or struggle with one? Do they seem uncomfortable during feeds?
Sleeping: Can they sleep peacefully, or are they inconsolable for no apparent reason?
Moving: Do they move both arms and legs equally? Do they scream when you dress one shoulder but not the other? Is their head turning equally in both directions?
Pooping: Can they pass gas and have bowel movements comfortably, or do they seem to struggle with digestion?
These signs are especially important if you had:
A long labor or induction
Forceps or vacuum delivery
Emergency interventions
Fast or intense labor
Finding a Qualified Pediatric Chiropractor
Not all chiropractors are trained in pediatric care. Look for practitioners who are:
Webster Technique certified
Licensed pediatric chiropractors
Listed with ICPA (International Chiropractic Pediatric Association)
You can search the ICPA directory to find qualified practitioners worldwide.
Simple Habits That Make a Massive Difference
Audrey's advice for pregnant and postpartum moms boils down to three essential habits:
1. Walk, Don't Sit: Even when you're tired (especially in the first trimester), prioritize walking over sitting. You don't need to lift weights or run—just move your body regularly.
2. Sit Properly:
Don't cross your legs (this misaligns your pelvis)
Don't slouch (this puts pressure on your tailbone—your baby's exit route)
Sit with legs slightly wider than hip-width apart
Imagine a torch light on your pelvis pointing downward (this creates more breathing room)
3. Never Bend from Your Hips: Whether you're changing diapers, bathing your baby, or picking up toys, squat using your leg muscles or sit on a stool. Never bend forward from your waist.
The Bottom Line: You Can't Pour from an Empty Cup
So many mothers put themselves last. You worry about your baby, your partner, your home—everyone except yourself. But here's the reality: you are the best person to care for your baby because you know them best. And you can't care for them well if you're unwell.
Chiropractic care during pregnancy and postpartum isn't a luxury—it's preventative healthcare that supports your body through one of the most physically demanding experiences of your life.
Whether you're planning to get pregnant, currently expecting, or navigating those intense postpartum weeks, consider finding a qualified chiropractor who can support your journey. Your body—and your baby—will thank you.
Dr. Audrey Lee practices at Be Well Chiropractic at Tropicana Gardens, Petaling Jaya. You can find her on Instagram at @audreyleechiro. This conversation is part of the "Her Body, Her Health" podcast, exploring women's health across Asia.