As a prenatal, postpartum and pediatric focused chiropractic office, we are often asked, “how does prenatal chiropractic care differ from typical chiropractic care?” In this blog, I am going to dive into the specifics of what to expect from a prenatal chiropractic visit and how it may be different from traditional chiropractic care.
First, it is completely normal to have questions about prenatal chiropractic care and to want more information before coming into the office!
We typically encounter one of two scenarios with our new prenatal patients:
They have seen a chiropractor in the past but are worried that it will be unsafe to get adjusted the same way during pregnancy.
They have never seen a chiropractor before and are not sure what to expect from a chiropractic visit in general.
Right off the bat, I like to inform people that chiropractic care is safe during pregnancy AND it does look different from typical chiropractic care. For pregnant patients, adjustments look and feel a lot gentler. We also use tend to use less force and limit twisting movements during adjustments.
During pregnancy, your body experiences a variety of changes, including hormonal changes that cause your joints and ligaments to become more flexible. This is a necessary change to prepare for birth, but it is one of the reasons chiropractic care needs to be more gentle during pregnancy.
You may also be wondering why you should see a chiropractor during pregnancy. As your belly grows, your posture, balance, and movement patterns all shift to accommodate your baby. These changes can sometimes lead to discomfort like back pain, sciatica, or pelvic pressure. Chiropractic care is helpful in relieving a lot of the discomfort associated with pregnancy. In addition, chiropractic care can help with baby positioning by optimizing pelvic balance using techniques like as the Webster technique.
With all that being said, here is a breakdown of what our first visit typically looks like.
1. A Thorough, Pregnancy-Specific Consultation
Your first visit starts with a detailed conversation about your pregnancy journey so far. We’ll talk about:
How far along you are
Any aches, pains, or symptoms you’ve been experiencing
Your birth plan or preferences (if you’ve started thinking about them)
Past pregnancies or injuries that might influence your care
This helps us tailor your care to your unique body and stage of pregnancy.
2. A Gentle, Posture and Alignment Assessment
Next, we’ll take a look at your posture, pelvis, and spinal alignment. These evaluations are completely safe for both you and your baby—no X-rays or invasive tools are used during pregnancy.
We often assess pelvic balance and mobility because the position of your pelvis can influence baby’s space and movement. Our goal is to help your body stay in balance as it adapts to pregnancy.
3. Comfortable, Safe Adjustments
Prenatal chiropractic adjustments are gentle, specific, and designed with your changing body in mind. We use pregnancy-safe adjusting techniques, often with special pillows or tables that allow you to lie comfortably on your belly.
Adjustments can help:
Reduce back, hip, or pelvic pain
Improve comfort and movement
Support optimal baby positioning
Promote relaxation and better sleep
You may feel a sense of lightness or relief immediately after your adjustment.
4. Supportive Recommendations for Home
We often send expecting moms home with simple stretches, posture tips, or exercises to help maintain the benefits of your adjustment. You’ll also get guidance on when to return for follow-up visits—many moms come every few weeks during pregnancy and more frequently toward the end for labor prep and comfort.
5. A Calm, Supportive Experience
Our goal is for every prenatal chiropractic visit to feel nurturing and empowering. You’ll never be rushed, and you’re always encouraged to ask questions about what’s happening with your body and your baby.
Many moms tell us their prenatal visits become one of their favorite forms of self-care during pregnancy—a time to reconnect, relax, and prepare their bodies for birth.
Still have questions about prenatal chiropractic care? Feel free to reach out.
Take care,
Dr. Gina