Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy: How It Supports Each Trimester
By Dr. Dalton | Seven Bridges Chiropractic – Jacksonville, FL
Pregnancy is one of the most incredible journeys a body can go through, but let’s be honest, it can come with its fair share of discomforts. As your body adapts to growing new life, it undergoes major physical and hormonal shifts that can throw off alignment, increase pressure on joints, and lead to everything from low back pain to headaches.
At Seven Bridges Chiropractic, we specialize in gentle, effective care for expecting mothers. Here’s how chiropractic can support each stage of pregnancy and help you feel more comfortable, mobile, and balanced along the way.
First Trimester: Foundation Shifts & Early Discomfort
What’s Happening:
During the first trimester, your body is already hard at work, even if you’re not showing yet. Hormones like Relaxin begin to increase, softening ligaments to prepare the pelvis for eventual delivery. This increased joint laxity, paired with early postural changes and fatigue, can already begin to impact your spine and pelvis.
Common Symptoms:
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Headaches
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Fatigue
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Early low back or sacral discomfort
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Morning sickness (exacerbated by neck or mid-back tension)
How Chiropractic Helps:
Gentle adjustments help maintain proper alignment as the body begins to shift. By supporting the spine and pelvis early on, we can reduce tension in the nervous system and may even lessen the frequency of headaches or nausea. Regular care in the first trimester sets the foundation for a more comfortable pregnancy.
Second Trimester: Rapid Growth & Postural Changes
What’s Happening:
This is when the baby bump starts to show, and your center of gravity begins to shift forward. The low back curve increases (lordosis), and many women begin to feel the impact in their hips, pelvis, and lower spine.
Common Symptoms:
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Low back pain
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Hip or SI joint discomfort
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Round ligament pain
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Mid-back tension as the chest expands
How Chiropractic Helps:
Second trimester care often focuses on pelvic balance and mobility. We use techniques like the Webster Technique (a pregnancy-specific protocol) to gently align the pelvis and reduce tension on supporting ligaments. This not only helps ease discomfort but also creates more space and comfort for your growing baby.
Third Trimester: Pressure, Fatigue & Preparing for Birth
What’s Happening:
By now, the body is working overtime. The baby is growing rapidly, which puts increased pressure on the lower spine, pelvis, and pelvic floor. Mobility may decrease, and sleep can become more difficult due to physical discomfort.
Common Symptoms:
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Sciatica-like symptoms
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Pubic bone pain or symphysis pubis dysfunction (sometimes even referred to as lightening crotch)
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Swelling
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Poor sleep due to pain or pressure
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Difficulty walking or getting comfortable
How Chiropractic Helps:
During the third trimester, chiropractic care is focused on comfort and birth preparation. Gentle adjustments help keep the pelvis open and aligned, which may help reduce intrauterine constraint and promote optimal fetal positioning. Many women report better mobility, less discomfort, and improved sleep in the final weeks of pregnancy with regular care.
Bonus: Chiropractic as Birth Prep
A well-aligned pelvis can support a smoother labor and delivery. When the pelvis moves well, the baby has more room to position properly, which may reduce labor time or minimize interventions. Women who seek chiropractic care throughout gestation have, on average, a 25% shorter labor time whereas multiparous women who seek chiropractic care throughout their pregnancy have, on average, 31% shorter labor times. Our goal is to help you feel empowered, supported, and physically prepared for birth. Pregnancy isn’t just about “toughing it out.” You deserve support and comfort throughout every stage. Chiropractic care is a gentle, non-invasive way to relieve pain, reduce stress on the body, and improve your overall function during this incredible chapter of life.
If you’re pregnant or planning to be, I’d love to support you through the journey.
Dr. Dalton Tolliver D.C.
Owner + Lead Chiropractor
📍 Seven Bridges Chiropractic – San Marco – Jacksonville FL
📞 (904)582-5200
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