Pregnancy is one of the most remarkable changes the body can go through.
Over the course of nine months, your body adapts to support the growing baby. Hormones soften the ligaments, your centre of gravity shifts, and the pelvis, spine and rib cage all change to accommodate your baby’s growth.
While these changes are completely normal, they can also place increased strain on the joints, muscles and nervous system, leading to discomfort as pregnancy progresses.
At The Third Space, we provide gentle chiropractic care throughout pregnancy and after birth, helping mothers feel as comfortable as possible during this important time.
As your body changes, it’s common to experience new aches and pains.
Some of the most common symptoms include:
Many women notice that these symptoms gradually become more noticeable during the second and third trimester as the body adapts to the increasing demands of pregnancy.
The pelvis is designed to move.
Although the movements are small, the joints of the pelvis need to work together with the lower back, hips and surrounding muscles throughout pregnancy and birth.
If movement becomes restricted or the muscles around the pelvis become overly tense, it can increase discomfort and place additional strain on the surrounding joints.
By improving the way these structures move together, many women feel more comfortable during everyday activities such as walking, sleeping, standing and changing position.
Pregnancy chiropractic care is specifically adapted for both mother and baby.
Treatment is gentle, comfortable and uses techniques designed for the changing pregnant body. Special pregnancy cushions and positioning allow treatment to be performed safely while avoiding unnecessary pressure on the abdomen.
One of our goals is to help the pelvis and surrounding muscles move as efficiently as possible. While no healthcare professional can guarantee how labour will progress or the position of a baby, maintaining good pelvic mobility and reducing unnecessary muscle tension may help create an environment that allows the baby to adopt an optimal position for birth.
Many women also report feeling more comfortable throughout pregnancy, finding it easier to walk, sleep and stay active.
Birth places considerable demands on both mother and baby.
Whether labour was straightforward or more complex, the body often needs time to recover. Gentle chiropractic care after birth can help restore movement to the pelvis, lower back and spine, supporting recovery as your body adapts following pregnancy.
Many new mothers also notice neck, shoulder and upper back pain from feeding, carrying and lifting their baby, particularly during the first few months.
Birth is also one of the first major physical events a baby experiences.
Most babies adapt remarkably well, but some births place greater mechanical forces on the head, neck and jaw than others, particularly if labour is prolonged, very rapid, or requires assistance with instruments.
Following a more forceful birth, some babies may develop areas of tension or reduced movement around the neck or jaw. This doesn’t necessarily mean there is an injury, but it may be worth assessing if parents notice a preference to turn the head one way, difficulty feeding, jaw tightness or general stiffness.
Our baby assessments are extremely gentle and involve light, age-appropriate techniques designed specifically for infants. The forces used are very different from those used for adults and are no greater than the pressure you would use to check the ripeness of a tomato.
Our aim is simply to assess how your baby’s neck, jaw and spine are moving, helping ensure they have the best possible start as they continue to grow and develop.
Whether you’re preparing for birth, recovering afterwards or would like your newborn assessed, we’re here to support both you and your baby.
At The Third Space in Amsterdam-Oost, we provide gentle, evidence-informed chiropractic care tailored to every stage of pregnancy and early life, with the goal of helping you move comfortably, recover well and give your child the best possible start.
Because every pregnancy, every birth and every baby is unique, every assessment should be too.
