What are some ways chiropractic care can help a mother prepare for birth?
Chiropractic care is extremely helpful in preparing a pregnant woman for an easier labor and delivery. Because a woman’s pelvis becomes the birth canal, checking its alignment prior to birth allows the maximum space for baby to move through. Additionally, the uterus attaches to the front of a woman’s tailbone so by adjusting the tailbone into its proper position, helps baby move into the optimal vertex position for birth.
How often should expectant mothers come in for care?
In our office, we see women regularly from preconception through the postpartum period. For women without pain or other symptoms, we recommend a twice a month. However, if an expectant mother is noting back/neck pain, headaches, digestive issues, sciatica, carpal tunnel or other pregnancy-related symptoms, she may need chiropractic adjustments 1-2x per week to help alleviate stress from her nervous system and allow her body to heal naturally, without drugs or surgery.
When is chiropractic care not recommended, and why?
Chiropractic care is not recommended when a pregnant woman is having emergency symptoms like preterm labor or vaginal bleeding. In these cases, it is important to contact her birth provider and possibly go to the emergency room.
How can chiropractic care help in cases such as breech position or transverse position? What is the process like?
Chiropractic adjustments utilizing the Webster Technique are a safe, effective and non-invasive way to help breech or transverse babies turn vertex (head down) during the third trimester of pregnancy. With an 85% efficacy rate, the Webster Technique works by addressing any misalignments in the mother’s pelvis. When a mother’s pelvis is aligned and her round/transverse ligaments are released, it removes the intrauterine constraint that often is keeping baby in the non-optimal position for birth. It may take one adjustment or several, depending on different factors, and is best utilized as soon as you know the baby’s breech or transverse position. It is important to visit a chiropractor who is Webster certified (go to www.icpa4kids.org for a referral in your community).
What is the magic behind chiropractic care that makes it so useful for pregnant women and new moms?
Chiropractic care is a safe and effective. It corrects the misalignments in a women’s spine, extremities, and cranium, that may be causing interference with her body’s nervous system communication. Essentially, regular chiropractic adjustments allow the computer of our body (the nervous system) to work optimally, allowing the brain to communicate with the rest of the body including our heart, lungs, stomach, liver, etc. so even symptoms beyond joint and muscle pain can respond favorably. Pregnant women and new moms often comment that they feel lighter and more upright immediately after a chiropractic adjustment, less pain and stiffness is noted, and improved sleep and digestion is reported on follow-up visits. Many new moms bring in their newborn for a wellness check-up as soon after birth as possible so their baby also benefits from an optimally communicating nervous system.
What do you love most about your job?
I have the honor and privilege to help so many families in my community thrive through chiropractic care and complementary holistic modalities. Our office loves educating and empowering our practice members to function at their optimal level through the chiropractic lifestyle. Since we take care of the entire family in our practice, every family member leaves our office happier, calmer, and feeling great, directly impacting the family dynamic.
“I had hoped to avoid a repeat C-section (my first daughter was breech). After five weeks of regular treatments with Dr. Brayton (three times per week), at thirty-eight weeks, my daughter finally turned. I was able to cancel my scheduled C-section and give birth to my second daughter vaginally and without the use of medication or other interventions.” – a patient
About Dr. Brayton
Dr. Laura Brayton has been in practice for 16 years. What she loves most about her practice is the opportunity and privilege to greatly impact a child’s overall health from the very beginning of life and actually prevent many common issues as the child develops and grows from a place of alignment.
One thing she wishes all parents would know is that Structure = Function. If your child’s spine and cranium are misaligned from in utero positioning, birth strain, and even normal milestone development (like falling while learning to walk), their body will grow based on those misalignment which negatively impact the function of the nervous system and therefore, every other part of the body. If you are looking for preventative wellness health care for your child, pediatric chiropractic is a must!
Dr. Laura Brayton is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She holds a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from the New York Chiropractic College. In addition, Dr. Brayton is certified in Chiropractic Pediatrics, Webster Technique (for breech presentation), SacroOccipital Technique, Craniopahty and is an advanced level practitioner of Nambudripad’s Allergy Elimination Technique (NAET).
Dr. Brayton created Hoboken Chiropractic + Wellness in 2005 to support the health and happiness of families in her community. She was chosen by New Jersey Family magazine as one of “NJ’s Favorite Kids’ Docs” in 2010-2018.
Her passion to inspire optimal health in the community-especially the birth community – launched the Brayton Birth Method. This is available for all women looking to unlock their innate intelligence for an empowered, natural birth.
About Dr. Alvarez
As an advocate for preventative care and family wellness in the urban community, Dr. Olga Alvarez was recognized at the Women that Transcend Global Conference by Hand Foundation NJ and the New Jersey Senate.
Hoboken Chiropractic + Wellness resonates with her mission of providing integrative, holistic care to families. Preventative health begins with the family, and the family is the core for our community.
Dr. Alvarez is a graduate of Drew University with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Music. She furthered her education at New York Chiropractic College with a Doctorate of Chiropractic and is certified in Whole Food Nutrition, Aromatouch Technique and Webster Technique (for breech presentation). She is also certified in the Sacro Occipital Technique and completed advanced certification in craniopathy. In addition, she has received training in yoga for postural correction and instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization. Dr. Alvarez was chosen by New Jersey Family magazine as one of “NJ’s Favorite Kids’ Docs” in 2018.
