Growing Pains: Supporting Your Changing Body with Prenatal Chiropractic Care

There are few things during pregnancy that are more persistent than that nagging back, hip and pubic pain that often results from a growing baby bump. Okay, maybe the whole morning sickness thing might give it a run for its money, most would argue, but it’s still up there. Yet, whenever you mention the struggle of dealing with this pain, instead of getting real options for relief, most advice ends with a shrug and the reminder that it’s just “part of pregnancy.” From the moment you see those two pink lines, standard prenatal visits are all about vitals and measurements, with an ultrasound thrown in here and there. Then you’re sent home to quietly tolerate the aches, as if it’s some rite of passage that you’re just supposed to endure simply because you’re pregnant. (cue dramatic pfft)

But the truth is, your body isn’t just tagging along for the ride. It’s working a full time job - overtime even - stretching, shifting, and adapting in ways you didn’t even know it could. You’re not a passive passenger; you’re growing a whole new person, and that calls for more than “just get used to it.”

That’s exactly what Gina Conley and Roxanne Albert dive into on a recent episode of the MamasteFit Podcast. They sit down with Dr. Savannah Gardner, a pediatric and prenatal chiropractor, to discuss how chiropractic care stands out as one of the real options that can help during pregnancy. Dr. Gardner explains that, instead of treating pregnancy like a checklist of symptoms that come along with the journey, chiropractic care is all about understanding how your body is moving, where things feel stuck, and what can be done to help you actually have an easier, more comfortable pregnancy that leads to a smoother labor and birth.

Debunking the Breech Myths

Of course, no discussion about prenatal chiropractic would be complete without tackling one of the most persistent myths out there: that a chiropractor can somehow reach in and physically turn a breech baby. Let’s just set the record straight right now - there’s no “flipping babies” happening here. Instead, Dr. Gardner offers a helpful analogy. Think of your uterus as a hot air balloon - the pelvis is the basket, and the ligaments are the ropes holding everything steady. If even one joint in your hips or lower back gets stuck, it can tilt the whole structure, making things cramped inside for the baby.

That’s where the Webster Protocol comes in. This specialized prenatal technique - performed by practitioners specifically certified in the practice - isn’t about moving the baby at all. Not even a little bit. Instead, it’s about making sure there aren’t any mechanical issues in the mother’s spine, pelvis and ligaments that could limit the space needed by the baby to make their rotations. By gently addressing any restrictions that do exist, the body becomes balanced again, giving the baby the space they need to find their own way into the right position.

Teamwork and First Trimester Fears

When you first see that word, “pregnant,” on the little digital screen, a million anxious thoughts begin racing through your mind. It happens to the best of us so rest assured that it’s completely normal if one of those thoughts is to feel nervous about chiropractic care during pregnancy, especially in those early weeks when everything feels new and uncertain. Dr. Gardner emphasizes that communication with your practitioner is key - if you’re feeling anxious, talk about it with them.

It’s important to note that a prenatal adjustment looks quite different from a typical adjustment on someone who is not pregnant, even down to the type of table that’s used during the treatment. Prenatally trained chiropractors are specially trained to use incredibly gentle pressure, adjusting their approach to match your comfort level every step of the way. And if you don’t feel amazing immediately after a session? Dr. Gardner mentions that that’s normal too. Pain isn’t always linear, everyone’s body is completely different and sometimes your nervous system just needs a little time to adjust to these new shifts.

Dr. Gardner points out that this approach is especially effective because it’s collaborative. When prenatal chiropractors team up with pelvic floor therapists, doulas, and prenatal fitness coaches, you get well-rounded support that addresses alignment, movement, and strength all at once. This collaboration can really support your body even more during pregnancy while also preparing you for an easier birth and postpartum period. And the benefits continue once your baby arrives as well. After birth, an extremely gentle pediatric check can help your newborn adjust after delivery.

What This Means for You

This episode is a reminder that you deserve real solutions and support as your body changes during pregnancy - not just the usual advice to tough it out. If you’re looking to find a practitioner who won’t dismiss your concerns and truly understands the needs of your body through every stage of this journey, wisdm can help connect you with the right support for you and your growing family.

Watch the full episode here.