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Common Conditions We See
Pregnant?
See Your Chiropractor
If you have
just gone through a pregnancy you have certainly experienced low back
pain or discomfort.
Most discomfort is caused by the accentuation of the curve in the lower
part of your spine and, to a small degree, increased weight gain. This
often places pressure on delicate nerves and you may experience pain
in the low back, buttocks and/or legs. Some low back pain is caused
by the relaxation and stretching of many of the ligaments of the pelvic
area. These ligaments are under hormonal control as your body prepares
for the birth process. This type of complaint responds very well to
chiropractic care.
Another complication of pregnancy is nausea or morning sickness. Some
may be caused by increased vitamin D. Some may also be caused by transient
or temporary hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). I suggest eating a carbohydrate
first thing in the morning, such as wheat toast, before you actually
get out of bed. A light snack just before bed will often alleviate many
of these transient symptoms. Drinking plenty of water to avoid dehydration
and eating, smaller amounts of food more often will help you deal with
this problem. Many women also find ginger root very helpful. Often an
imbalance of the nervous system is the cause, and in this case your
chiropractor can correct the subluxation responsible.
Indigestion can be a problem, especially towards the last trimester
of your pregnancy, when you're "all baby." The baby tends
to squeeze your intestinal area and stomach into very small spaces.
That, coupled with the hormone progesterone's effect on the stomach,
can cause indigestion and heartburn. Alfalfa or peppermint tea will
often help. A visit to your chiropractor should be considered essential
to ensure a properly functioning nervous system so that these symptoms
are minimized.
Many pregnant women experience constipation and hemorroids. Most often,
constipation is the result of the actions of progesterone on the entire
gastrointestinal tract. Inorganic iron supplements can add to the problem.
However it is easy to deal with. Drink more fluids and eat foods that
are high in fibre and bulk. Though prune juice may help, it is not what
I recommend because of its chemical action on the large intestine. Chiropractors
see many patients with constipation because the nerves from the low
back area of your spine control your large intestine. We have great
success in looking after this type of problem.
Pregnant women often complain of cramps in the legs, most of which are
caused by irritation and pressure on the pelvic nerve in the area of
the low back. This is where chiropractic can really help a pregnant
mom. I recommend walking and stretching the calf muscles to reduce any
lactic acid build-up. It is also important to realize that whatever
a mother takes in affects her unborn baby. Good nutrition actually starts
before the baby is born and eating a well-balanced diet will supply
all the essential nutrients needed for mother, baby and placenta. During
pregnancy, the body has an increased appetite and need for protein.
After all, these are the baby's building blocks. Remember, the baby
is growing at a rate seven times faster than a toddler! If you are a
vegetarian, it is important that you get a complete balanced diet so
that your baby develops normally.
Weight and Fluid Retention
I remind expectant mothers that you are not fat, you are pregnant! There
is a big, difference. The latest research indicates that weight gain
of 35 lbs or more on a high protein diet is healthy, as long as the
diet is well-balanced, limited in refined sugars, and does not contain
preservatives.
In the past, women have been told to reduce their salt intake to combat
this feeling of "fatness." I would like you to understand
that salt is absolutely crucial during pregnancy. It causes you and
your baby to have increased blood volume. A reduction of salt can have
very dire consequences on the growth of your fetus with the possibility
of miscarriage. Use salt to taste and eat generally in accordance with
appetite. In other words, eat when you feel like it, not when the clock
tells you to. You may think that salt intake increases swelling, but
swelling is not a condition to be treated. Some fluid retention is actually
very healthy for the fetus and good for mom. It is a temporary and a
very normal part of being pregnant.
Nutrition and Supplements
A woman requires at least 800 mg of iron daily during pregnancy, which
is crucial for the development of red blood cells in fetal circulation.
Iron is fairly easy to obtain, as it is contained in dark leafy vegetables.
I also recommend a natural liquid iron supplement from the health food
store. Vitamin C helps in the absorption of iron from your digestive
tract.
Another very important vitamin for the developing fetus is folic acid.
It is crucial in the normal development of the nervous system and is
usually contained in foods that also have iron.
Calcium is another very essential mineral. During pregnancy at least
1200 mg are required dail. While found in dairy foods, calcium is also
found in almonds, which can make a nice substitute for milk.
Vitamin D makes calcium more readily absorbed from the intestinal area,
but be careful, for it can also cause nausea and morning sickness. Generally
speaking, vitamin D is best obtained from exposure to sunlight Watch
out for heat build-up, however. It's not good for a developing fetus.
I would also like to caution expecting, mothers about taking vitamin
B while pregnant. Vitamin B tends to reduce the amount of milk available
during breast feeding and should be avoided as a supplement.
Many valuable herbs may be used during, pregnancy. For example, red
raspberry leaves make a good uterine tonic which helps prevent miscarriage
and aids in fighting infections. It also helps with anemia and cramping,
to a certain degree. Peppermint is also very good. It helps digestion
and soothes nausea. So does ginger root. Other herbs such as echinacea
and camomile are very relaxing but should be taken in the gentlest way
possible. as hot tea.
There are a number of no-nos that should be heeded while you are pregnant.
One of them is alcohol. Alcohol crosses the placental barrier very quickly
and can cause problems in nervous system development. Caffeine should
be avoided, as it has been linked to birth defects. It can be found
in coffee, black and green teas, cola drinks and chocolate. As well,
avoid foods that are known to have artificial colors or preservatives,
including, sweeteners and nitrates or nitrites found in hot dogs, luncheon
meats and bologna.
Be very cautious with medication. All drugs, whether prescription or
over the counter, affect a growing fetus. They will have adverse affects
on the growing baby and should be discouraged at all costs. I recommend
a visit to a naturopath or herbologist to seek alternatives. I would
also recommend that while you're pregnant you exercise on a regular
basis, but avoid back extensions and pelvic tilts. Walking or gentle
rebounding make for excellent summer exercises and are best for you
and baby.
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