Chiropractic and Pregnancy 
How can chiropractic add comfort?
Chiropractic care in pregnancy is a very worthwhile ingredient to your pre-natal care choices. A large percent of all pregnant women experience back discomfort or pain during pregnancy. This is due to the rapid growth of the baby and interference to your body’s normal structural adaptations to that growth.
Pre-existing unnoticed imbalances in your spine and pelvis can become over exaggerated during these times. The added stresses lead to discomfort and difficulty while performing normal routine, daily activities.
Chiropractic care throughout pregnancy can relieve and even perhaps prevent the common discomforts experienced in pregnancy. Specific chiropractic adjustments can help to reduce these mechanical stresses in your spine, improve balance to your pelvis and result in greater comfort and lifestyle improvements.
Comfort for your baby, too.
As your baby develops, your uterus enlarges to accommodate the rapid growth. So long as the pelvis is in a balanced state, the ligaments connected to the uterus maintain an equalised, supportive suspension for the uterus. If your pelvis is out of balance in any way, these ligaments become torqued and twisted and can cause a condition known as ‘constraint’ to your uterus.
This constraint limits the space of the developing baby. If the woman’s uterus is constrained as birth approaches, the baby it is thought that the baby is prevented from getting into the best possible position for birth.
It is also postulated that even if the baby is in the desirable head-down position, often times constraint to the uterus affects the baby’s head from moving into the ideal presentation for delivery.
Chiropractors work specifically with your pelvis throughout pregnancy working towards restoring a state of balance and creating an environment for an easier safer delivery.
Preparing for a Safer Birth
Dystocia is defined as difficult labor and is something every woman wants to avoid. In addition to the pain and exhaustion caused by long, difficult labors, it is thought that dystocia leads to multiple, medical interventions which may be physically and emotionally traumatic to both you and your baby. 
Our chiropractors can offer specific analysis and adjustments for your special needs in pregnancy. You and your baby’s continued safety and comfort is primary in our care. Anthony O’Reilly has been looking after pregnant women for over 30 years and has enjoyed the trust of obstetricians and midwives who refer their suffering patients to him.
Pregnancy Massage
What is pregnancy massage?
Mums to be benefit from different techniques from your standard massage such as remedial, deep tissue and sports massage and are used to help nurture mum and help with aches and pains that present as the baby’s growing.
Pregnancy massage is usually performed after the first trimester to help with a range of problems from sore muscles of the back and hips, cramping of the legs, fluid retention, sore joints, trouble sleeping and can help ease anxieties and induce relaxation.
Benefits of pregnancy massage:
This specialised massage will increase circulation of the blood and lymph, which in turn will reduce swelling. Reduction of stress on weight- bearing joints, improves the outcome of labor and eases labor pain, enhances pliability of skin and underlying tissues and provides support for the new mum with physical and emotional strains of mothering.
How is pregnancy massage conducted?
Different positions are used pending on the stage of your pregnancy.
Side lying- just like how you sleep at night, we also at Health plus Chiropractic have a ‘belly bag’ which is a special bag used so you can lay on your tummy and be totally supported. Sitting and semi reclined postures are also used to put you in a comfortable position and keep the baby safe.
We have lots of pillows and extra padding to keep you comfortable and let you deeply relax during your treatment.
The level of clothing removed is up to you, some like to undress to their underclothes, others leave some clothing and gowns can be provided. You are completely covered at all times with only the area being massaged exposed.
Is pregnancy massage safe?
Massage is not recommended in the first trimester, especially in cases of a history of miscarriage, and if pregnancy is via IVF. Other signs when massage is not recommended is pre-eclampsia- which is bleeding and cramping, very high blood pressure. For varicose veins- massage is only contraindicated for the legs in this case as is a thrombosis (blood clot). You will have a detailed health history taken and a detail record of your pregnancy will also be recorded for your file.
Our Massage Therapists at Health plus Chiropractic take great care in looking after your health and the wellbeing of your baby, they are highly experienced and receive numerous referrals from midwives and obstetricians at the local hospitals.
Pregnancy and your feet 
Pregnancy triggers many different changes in a woman’s body. One common complaint, often overlooked, is foot pain. Due to the natural weight gain during pregnancy, a woman’s center of gravity is completely altered. This new weight-bearing stance and adds pressure to the knees and feet. Two of the most common foot problems experienced by pregnant woman are over- pronation and oedema (swelling). These problems can lead to pain at the heel, arch, or the ball-of-foot. Many women may also experience leg cramping and varicose veins due to weight gain. Because of this, it is important for all pregnant women to learn more about foot health during their pregnancy to help make this nine month period more comfortable for them.
Over-Pronation, also referred to as flat feet, is caused when a person’s arch flattens out upon weight bearing and their feet roll inward when walking. This can create extreme stress or inflammation on the plantar fascia, the fibrous band of tissue that runs from the heel to the forefoot. Over-pronation can make walking very painful and can increase strain on the feet, calves and/or back. Besides pregnant women suffering from over-pronation, it is also very prominent in people who have flexible, flat feet or in people who are obese.
Oedema normally occurs in the latter part of pregnancy and results from the extra blood accumulated during pregnancy. The enlarging uterus puts pressure on the blood vessels in the pelvis and legs causing circulation to slow down and blood to pool in the lower extremities. The total water fluid in the body remains the same as before pregnancy, however it becomes displaced. When feet are swollen, they can become purplish in color. Sometimes extra water is retained during pregnancy, adding to the swelling.