How to have an easy Birth with experienced Prenatal Chiropractic Care

Many women are seeking ways into reduce discomforts and pain in pregnancy, and many utilize chiropractic care for this. Babies will go into a head down position 28-32 weeks changing the discomforts of mother and possible pain patterns she has been experiencing. Many women experience more pelvic pressure at this time from the baby’s head on the perineum.

When baby is in a non-optimal position it can cause a different pain complaints for mom. For example a backwards/posterior baby OP will cause more sacral and low back pain, shortness of breath and pubic pain such as SPD (symphysis pubic dysfunction) and groin pain or numbness. A sideways or OT presentation will cause more hip, groin, sciatic, bursitis and one sided pubic bone pain for mother. 

Many women are diagnosed in their last trimester with sciatica, SPD and PGP (pelvic girdle pain) at this time. The examination and diagnosis  give chiropractors clues to how the baby is positioned and mothers pelvic subluxation and mal-alignment patterns. As chiropractors we can then can adjust the spine, sacrum, pelvis , low back, pubic bone, and hips to assist baby in getting into OPF Optimal Fetal Position.

Certifications and experience in the Webster technique will enable the experienced chiropractor to give specific adjustments to mother affecting her pelvis and opening up room for baby to get into a better birth position. The adjustments to the sacrum and spine will also increase proper nervous system function to the uterine and perineum muscles.

A ROA, or LOA position is the OFP for birth so having ‘baby head down’ is only part of the birth process, the spine needs to be anterior (forward) and chin tucked in for an easy birth form mother and baby. When baby is not in this position prior to labour then mother and baby will have a longer, slower, and more painful or difficutl birth. When mothers are aware of the position of baby she can then do specific exercises and home care to assist movement of the baby prior to the onset of labour. Your prenatal chiropractor can assist in guiding these exercises and strengthening .

To book an appointment or to get more information please call Dr. Joelle Johnson who has been a member of the ICPA since 1999 and certified and very experienced  in the Webster technique and the Gardner-Bagnell since 2000 and 2008 . 403-347-3261 www.family1stchiro.ca located at 142 Erickson Drive in Red Deer. 

Pregnancy plowback pain and how chiropractic care can help

Low back pain during pregnancy: prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes.

This current study by Wang and Dezinno published in ObGyn reported that: The majority of respondents reported that LBP- Low Back Pain during pregnancy caused sleep disturbances and impaired daily living. The average pain was moderate in severity. Nearly 30% of respondents stopped performing at least one daily activity because of pain and reported that pain also impaired the performance of other routine tasks. Only 32% of the respondents with LBP during pregnancy informed their prenatal care providers of this problem, and only 25% of prenatal care providers recommended a treatment.

The study concludes that low back pain during pregnancy is a common problem that causes hardship in this population.

To find out about the benefits of chiropractic adjustments in pregnancy visit Dr. Joelle Johnson at her website www.family1stchiro.ca. Dr. Johnson practices at Family First Chiropractic and wellness, 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer 403-347-3261

Natural birth...what you need to know

·         Babies born naturally are usually born when they are ready. Elective caesareans typically take place a week or two before the expected due date. However, many babies if left to be born naturally are born at 41 or 42 weeks. If there was any miscalculation, a baby removed surgically could be at risk for prematurity and encounter respiratory problems as a result of under-developed lungs.          

·         Babies born by vaginal birth have considerable lower risk of respiratory problems. The compression of the baby’s thorax expels the amniotic fluid during the birth process and helps to prepare the lungs to breathe air. There is a high risk of respiratory distress syndrome in babies born by cesarean and a high risk of asthma.·          

·         The passage through the birth canal stimulates the baby’s cardiovascular system, which boosts blood circulation and primes the baby for birth. There is evidence that this process also has long term benefits for the baby’s co-ordination. Cranial osteopaths are reported to be able to determine whether a baby was born vaginally or by caesarean.·          

·         Babies born vaginally receive protective bacteria as they pass through the birth canal. These bacteria colonise in the intestine and are crucial for developing a balanced immune system, from childhood right through to adulthood.          

·         During a natural, vaginal birth babies benefit from hormonal surges in catecholamines during labor, which results in them being more alert and able to connect with their mothers at birth.          

·         Similarly, endorphins, nature’s ‘feel-good hormones, which are secreted during an unmedicated childbirth have been found in the placenta and umbilical cord. These hormones may help the baby adjust to life outside the womb as well as make the birth passage more comfortable for baby.          

·         Babies born by vaginal birth exhibit more interest in pre-breastfeeding behaviours such as sucking and massaging the mother's breasts. They are also reported to nurse for longer periods within the first 90 minutes after birth, which has many benefits for both the mother and the baby.

·         A European study in 2008 found that babies born vaginally had a 20% lower risk of developing type 1 diabetes than babies born surgically.          

·         The process of labor is reported to enable babies born vaginally to cope with stress better than those born dramatically by cesarean. Cesarean birth triggers a dramatic stress response which could set up a child to always over-respond to stress.

·         If the vaginal birth was drug-free, the baby will not experience any side-effects of medication administered during the process.         

·         Skin-to-skin contact between the mother and baby can occur easily after a natural birth. This has many physiological benefits to the baby including optimal brain development as well as better attachment and breastfeeding success.          

·         Newborns are less likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit if delivered vaginally.

Most babies born after 36 weeks are able to display all the following responses and reflexes. Babies born prematurely can have immature reflexes, sometimes contributing to them spending time in the Intensive Care Nursery. 

The normal reflexes and responses of a newborn baby can include: 

Rooting reflex
Sucking and swallowing
Gag reflex
'Startle' or Moro reflex
Crawling reflex
Grasping reflex
Walking and stepping

Mom and Baby and the journey into parenthood

All moms want the best for their children.  We will do anything for our children, often forgetting our own needs.  I often see mothers bring in their baby or child with problems hoping that I can help.  I love treating children because we often see results quickly, if not immediately.  I tell parents the sooner you bring your child in for a treatment the better.  The thing we often forget as adults is to treat ourselves.  The stress of taking care of a newborn or sick child reflects in our bodies as well.  Giving birth is a traumatic experience, not only for the baby, but for the mother as well.  I like to recommend to new moms to try and find at least an hour to give to yourself to help release some of the trauma of birth.  Your child will benefit from your treatment as well.  At the very least CranioSacral therapy will help you relax and get your body to heal faster.  You will be a better and more relaxed mom for it. All our practitioners at Family First Chiropractic are there to support you and your needs in motherhood. Jeannette Raskin CST, RMT, Dr. Joelle Johnson and Dr. Stephen Kelly are located at 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer,
T4R 2c3
www.family1stchiro.ca
403-347-3261 to book an appointment today!

Pregnancy woes and your pregnancy

Pregnancy woes and your pregnancy

Most women get through their pregnancies very healthily - they manage their nutrition, exercise and overall healthcare both by themselves and with the help of healthcare professionals.

CranioSacral Therapy offers women a very gentle and effective way of complementing the natural work that their body is doing as well as complementing the work of Obstetricians, local Doctors and Midwives.

When we look at pregnancy week by week, there are many natural conditions that come and go as you progress through your pregnancy. Conditions such as early nausea through to lower-back pain can all occur during a healthy pregnancy.

An area that is found especially later in the pregnancy is discomfort in the legs or sciatica. I have found that the majority of clients experience relief from these symptoms for weeks at a time following a CranioSacral Therapy treatment. Probably one of the areas of most discomfort in Pregnancy is back pain - both of the middle and upper back - during the early stages of pregnancy, and lower back during the later stages. The discomfort of back pain during pregnancy can be effectively relieved by CranioSacral Therapy sessions.
At our clinic Family First Chiropractic and Wellness we take a team approach with your pregnancy care, we utilize craniosacral therapy, pre-natal chiropractic and massage therapy to enable you to have an optimal pregnancy experience.
Please find us at 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer . 403-347-3261 or www.family1stchiro.ca

Jeannette Raskin, RMT,CST, Dr. Joelle Johnson, Dr. Stephen Kelly

Food Cravings..what nutrients are you low in?

Many people a have food cravings, whether pregnant or not and this table tells you what food and nutrients you may be depleted in. We are located at family First Chiropractic and Wellness 142, Erickson drive, Red Deer 403-347-3261
www.family1stchiro.ca

If You Crave	You Need	Healthy Foods That Have It
Chocolate	Magnesium	Raw nuts and seeds, legumes, fruit
Sweets	Chromium	Broccoli, grapes, cheese, dried beans, calf’s liver, chicken
	Carbon	Fresh fruits
	Phosphorus	Chicken, beef, liver, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, legumes, grains
	Sulfur	Cranberries, horseradish, cruciferous vegetables, kale, cabbages
	Tryptophan	Cheese, lamb, raisins, sweet potato, spinach
Bread or toast	Nitrogen	High protein foods: fish, meat, nuts, legumes
Oily or fatty foods	Calcium	Mustard and turnip greens, broccoli, kale, legumes, cheese, sesame
Coffee or tea	Phosphorus	Chicken, beef, liver, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, legumes, egg yolks, red peppers, muscle protein, garlic, onion, cruciferous vegetable
	Sodium Chloride (salt)	Sea salt, apple cider vinegar (on salad)
	Iron	Meat, fish, poultry, seaweed, greens, black cherries
Alcohol, party drugs	Protein	Meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, nuts
	Avenin	Granola, oatmeal
	Calcium	Mustard and turnip greens, broccoli, kale, legumes, cheese, sesame
	Glutamine	Supplement glutamine powder for withdrawal, raw cabbage juice
	Potassium	Sun-dried black olives, potato peel broth, seaweed, bitter greens
Carbonated drinks	Calcium	Mustard and turnip greens, broccoli, kale, cheese, sesame, legumes
Salty foods	Chloride	Raw goat’s milk, fish, unrefined sea salt
Preference for liquids	Water	Flavor with lemon / lime 8-10 glasses a day
Preference for solids	Water	You have been dehydrated for so long you have lost your thirst, flavor water with lemon/lime. You need 8-10 glasses a day
Cool drinks	Manganese	Walnuts, almonds, pecans, pineapple blueberries
Pre-menstrual cravings	Zinc	Red meats (especially organ meats), seafood, leafy vegetables, root vegetables
General overeating	Silicon	Nuts, seeds: avoid refined starches
	Tryptophan	Cheese, lamb, raisins, sweet potato, spinach
	Tyrosine	Vitamin C supplements or orange, green, red fruits and vegetables