Pregnancy

Chiropractic Care Can Help Make VBAC Deliveries Possible

Chiropractic Care Can Help Make VBAC Deliveries Possible

No matter how much planning you do, there is no way to account for everything that can happen when you give birth. In many cases, C-sections and other interventions may become necessary. You may have heard that this means all your future deliveries will be similar. However, having a C-section at one birth doesn’t mean that one will be necessary in any future births. In fact, it’s been shown that C-sections are often performed when they are not needed for the situation and it can be better to have a VBAC, or vaginal birth after cesarean. One of the benefits pregnant women can experience from visiting a Lithia Springs chiropractor is a higher chance of a vaginal birth in the future, even if she’s had prior cesarean sections.

Why Try for a VBAC?

It has been shown in a number of studies that a large number of interventions during birth, such as forceps, vacuums, or C-section deliveries, can actually be detrimental to the short- and long-term health of a baby. Jaundice and feeding problems are among the top concerns for intervention-related risks, though others can occur. In some cases, a C-section can be a lifesaving procedure and is very medically necessary. However, patients are not often well informed before they are told they need to undergo this surgery, and they are often not aware of the potential risks. For example, a baby born surgically may have a lower body temperature upon delivery. When planning your birth, it is important to balance the risks and benefits of any interventions you are offered and to be in the know ahead of time.

How Chiropractic Care Helps

Whatever kind of birth you are hoping to have, the best way to ensure success is to adequately prepare […]

The Webster Technique for Breech Presentation in Babies

The Webster Technique for Breech Presentation in Babies

We know that chiropractic care can be beneficial for babies as early as right after birth, but did you know that a baby can benefit from chiropractic care before they are even born? In pregnancy, a baby should be head down by a certain point to ensure that he or she can be born safely. When the baby’s head is up, that is known as a breech presentation. A breech presentation can rule out vaginal birth if it is not corrected early enough in pregnancy, making it one of the most common causes of C-sections. One option to help a baby get into the right position is visiting a Lithia Springs chiropractor who is skilled in the Webster Technique.

Turning Breech Babies

By the 34^th week of pregnancy, a small portion of fetuses are in a breech position- about 4%. At this point, it is uncommon for the baby to flip before birth due to dwindling space in the uterus for movement. This is the cause of about 13% of the C-sections performed today, and while these interventions can be life-saving in some situations, the invasive nature of a surgery makes them a less optimal choice for most mothers and babies. To try and avoid this outcome, some doctors will perform something called an ECV, or External Cephalic Version, to try and manually turn the baby. This is done by applying pressure to the uterus externally, which can sometimes work, but can often times be painful and even traumatic. If you have a baby you are hoping to turn but want to avoid the stress and uncertainty of an ECV, there may be other options.

The Webster Technique

Some chiropractors, including Dr. Ronnie Bolar in Lithia Springs, specialize in the Webster […]

Overcoming Nursing Difficulties with Chiropractic Care

Overcoming Nursing Difficulties with Chiropractic Care

Being a new mother is an overwhelming task, and there’s probably nothing you are more worried about than whether your baby is getting everything she needs to be healthy. For many, this includes breastfeeding, as it is known to be the healthiest option for newborns. But while breastfeeding is extremely beneficial, it can often come with challenges. Many women stop breastfeeding earlier than they would like because of the difficulties, even with the help of consultants and supportive families. One option that is not as well-known is seeking the help of a Lithia Springs chiropractor to ensure the spinal health of yourself or your baby is not impacting your ability to nurse well.

Why Nursing Can Be Challenging

Because it is a natural way to feed our babies, many people think that breastfeeding will come easily to them. While this is true for some moms, in many cases, there are unforeseen issues that can cause issues. Some babies have a hard time latching onto the breast in a way that allows them to get the milk they need. When they do latch, some babies will nurse but still seem to be hungry afterwards, or they may refuse to eat on a particular breast.

It can be difficult to have your baby struggle to eat and not know the best way to help him. But if you are invested in breastfeeding, spending the time to uncover the root cause of these issues can be well worth it.

Breastfeeding and the Spine

While it may not seem intuitive that the spine impacts your nursing, there is actually a strong connection. Your spine is key to the health of your central nervous system, and any misalignments in the spine can affect a variety of processes in the […]

Babies’ Head Shape Matters and Chiropractic Can Help

Babies’ Head Shape Matters and Chiropractic Can Help

There are so many new things to learn and discover when you become a parent. While parents soak up snuggles and enjoy marveling at their new baby, they may also worry that their baby is healthy and normal. One thing that is often overlooked by new parents is your baby’s head shape. Babies’ skulls are not yet fully developed and are still soft and malleable. Because of this, your baby’s head shape can change. For instance, you may have noticed a slightly different egg-like head shape right after birth because of the baby passing through the birth canal. A baby’s head is meant to change and adapt, but it is important to be aware of your baby’s head shape so that problems don’t develop during infancy or later on.

When Can Head Shape Become a Problem?

For the first few months, babies are just beginning to get control over their body movements. They can’t hold up their heads by themselves, let alone roll over or sit up. If not moved every so often, babies will stay in one spot for a long period of time, especially at night when they are sleeping. Laying in one specific spot for long periods of time can cause babies to develop a flat spot on their head. This is known as plagiocephaly, or flat head syndrome. If you notice that your baby is beginning to develop a flat spot, it is a good idea to address the issue by talking to your doctor or even a Lithia Springs chiropractor. Some cases of plagiocephaly can be mild and easily corrected, while other more severe cases can lead to health problems such as increased ear infections, vision problems, or learning delays. If you are concerned or have more […]

Can Chiropractic Be Beneficial for Colic?

Can Chiropractic Be Beneficial for Colic?

Does your baby cry for long periods of time without explanation? Has your baby been fed, changed, and had a nap, but still cries? If this is the case, your little one may be suffering from colic. Colic can be defined as a fluctuating pain in the abdomen most likely caused by gas or intestinal problems. When you have a colicky little one, you may find yourself wondering if you are doing something wrong. The answer is absolutely not. Babies sometimes just have colic and it’s not usually based on anything parents did or didn’t do. It can still be extremely frustrating to want to help your baby and not know where to begin. Consulting a Lithia Spring chiropractor is a great place to start. Many parents have found relief for their colicky babies with chiropractic care.

How Do I Know if My Baby Has Colic?

Colic in babies can begin to manifest itself when an infant is as young as 3 weeks old. In most cases, a baby will outgrow colic by the age of 3 months, but for some, it can last longer. Either way, no length of time with a colicky baby is enjoyable, so most parents seek to find a solution as quickly as possible. A specific cause of colic may not be known, but there are several signs to look for to identify colic in infants. For example, babies with colic usually cannot be consoled with any amount of holding, bouncing, or rocking, no matter how hard parents try. Additionally, colicky babies tend to ball up their fists, flex their legs, or tense their stomachs when they cry. If you notice any of these signs, it may be time to seek help from a Lithia Springs chiropractor.

What Can […]

The Effects of Childbirth on Both Mom and Baby

The Effects of Childbirth on Both Mom and Baby

For most women, pregnancy and childbirth are not like they portray it in the movies. In the end, there is the peaceful moment of holding your newborn child, but there’s a lot more that goes on in between that first positive test and that magical moment of meeting your newborn. From experiencing the pain of labor to withstanding the exhaustion of childbirth, there is a lot more to birthing a baby than breathing exercises. There’s nothing quite like the miracle of childbirth, but there is a lot of healing that needs to happen after. It can take time for the soreness to go away or for moms to get the hang of breastfeeding. During birth, there can also be trauma to the spine and surrounding ligaments, tendons, and muscles that will need time to heal. Childbirth can affect the mom in many ways, but did you know that the baby goes through a traumatic experience as well? No matter what kind of birth experience you had, some form of birth trauma occurred. Addressing the effects of childbirth on both moms and babies can be essential to the short-term and long-term health of both mother and child.

Childbirth Takes a Toll on Mom

Growing a baby inside of you is sure to take a toll on your body. An expanding uterus and increased weight gain put pressure on the spinal column. Additionally, as the body prepares for the birthing process, ligaments loosen to allow for the flexibility needed to give birth. To combat these changes, the spine actually takes on an increased lordosis, or inward curvature of the spine. This balances out the weight of the growing baby inside your belly. After giving birth to your baby, it can take time for […]

The Webster Technique for Pregnant Women

The Webster Technique for Pregnant Women

Pregnancy is a beautiful time in life as the body is changing and preparing to bring a little life into this world. Chiropractic care has long been recognized as a way to decrease lower back pain and other health issues related to pregnancy. Regular visits to a Lithia Spring chiropractor can help better prepare your body for childbirth by preparing the pelvis, muscles, and ligaments for the miracle of childbirth. The Webster Technique is used by chiropractors like Dr. Ronnie Bolar on pregnant women throughout all stages of pregnancy. Read on to see how the Webster Technique may be beneficial for you.

What Is the Webster Technique?

This chiropractic adjustment technique was developed by Dr. Larry Webster after seeing his wife experience the birth of his daughter, and it focuses on balancing and restoring function to the pelvis. A sacral misalignment is thought to cause possible tightening of the pelvic muscles and ligaments, thus limiting the baby’s position in utero. This restriction of room for the baby is called intrauterine constraint. A sacral adjustment also aids in preventing dystocia, or a difficult birth. Thus, the Webster Technique results in an easier pregnancy, labor, delivery, and a better overall experience for mom and baby.

The Webster Technique Aids in Pregnancy

Chiropractic care focuses on the health of the central nervous system. Adjustments reduce nerve interference between the spine and brain and allow for optimal body function to promote overall health. This is especially beneficial for pregnant women and their babies. Chiropractic care for pregnant women has many added benefits, such as helping with posture and the increased back curve due to a protruding abdomen. The Webster Technique specifically focuses on reducing sacral subluxations through chiropractic adjustments to aid in a smoother delivery and optimal baby positioning. […]

New Study Finds That Birth Interventions Are Linked to Short- and Long-Term Health Concerns in Babies & Children

New Study Finds That Birth Interventions Are Linked to Short- and Long-Term Health Concerns in Babies & Children

A new study out of Australia reports that children born with medical interventions are more likely to have short- and long-term health issues. A group of international researchers teamed up with researchers from Western Sydney University, and they looked at a number of interventions during labor and delivery and the effect they had on babies in the first 28 days, as well as the effect they had on children up to 5 years of age.

The study looked at 500,000 women who had healthy, low-risk pregnancies and gave birth from 2000 to 2008. The medical interventions that were studied include induced labor, hormones to speed up labor, delivery by vacuum or forceps, and delivery by Cesarean section.

The babies who were born with one of these interventions experienced more jaundice and feeding problems in the first 28 days than babies who were born through a spontaneous vaginal delivery. Additionally, C-section deliveries left babies with more low temperatures that required more medical intervention. Some of these short-term risks were already well-known, and these are the concerns that parents are informed about when weighing the risk and reward of the intervention during labor and delivery.

However, parents are not made aware of long-term risks, mainly because the long-term health concerns haven’t been studied this thoroughly ever before. The researchers who did this study found several long-term problems when they looked the children at five years of age. Firstly, children born via Cesarean section, especially emergency C-section, had the highest rates of diabetes and obesity at age five. Additionally, children born with any form of intervention had higher rates of respiratory infections, like pneumonia and bronchitis, at age five than other children. They also had higher rates of diabetes, obesity, and eczema.

So what can be done? […]

The Benefits of Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy

The Benefits of Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a beautiful and miraculous thing, but it can also be a time of discomfort, restlessness, and even pain for some women. With as many changes as a woman’s body goes through during the course of a pregnancy, it’s no wonder that various aches and pains present themselves randomly and without warning. The most common reasons pregnant women look for Lithia Springs chiropractors is to reduce back pain that comes from carrying their child, though many find that it helps them in other ways as well.

What many people don’t know is that receiving chiropractic care during pregnancy offers women (and their babies!) a myriad of awesome benefits both short-term and long-term. If you are pregnant and want the healthiest pregnancy for yourself and your baby, give Dr. Ronnie a call at Vital Life Chiropractic in Lithia Springs, GA to schedule a consultation!

Common Pregnancy Complaints Alleviated with Chiropractic Care

Any pregnant woman could provide a lengthy list of various complaints at any given moment during her pregnancy. Nausea, back pain, heartburn, hip discomfort, restless legs, headaches, and more are commonly experienced during healthy pregnancies, but oftentimes, there isn’t much that can be done to immediately alleviate them. While some medications may help short-term, they don’t get rid of the root cause of the ailment and they come with their own risks and side effects. Since your Lithia Springs chiropractor, Dr. Ronnie, is all about true correction rather than temporary relief, he will adjust a pregnant woman with gentle adjustments that target spinal misalignments that are related to her pregnancy woes.

Chiropractic care at Vital Life Chiropractic can help lessen problems during the pregnancy and will set up both mom and baby for optimal health, both during the pregnancy and into the […]

CHIROPRACTIC STUDIES

It is a common observation that birthing seems to be more comfortable for women who were under chiropractic care during pregnancy. The following studies mention how common spinal problems are resolved during pregnancy (up to 90%) and best of all how Chiropractic is safe, effective and most of all a drug free approach which is ideally suited for the health and well being of both mother and child.

The role of chiropractic in pregnancy. Vallone S. Int’l Chiropractic Assn. Review Summer 2002. p 47-51.

“By encouraging regular chiropractic and maternal self care (which includes good nutrition, regular stretching and exercise and stress management) we can improve our patient’s probability of a successful natural delivery.”

Complementary and alternative medicine in pregnancy: a survey of North Carolina certified nurse-midwives. Allaire AD, Moos WK, Wells SR. Obstet Gynecol 2000;95(1):19-23.

In this survey of 82 certified nurse-midwives, 93.9% reported that they recommended patients to alternative health care providers. 57.3% said they referred women to chiropractors.

Follow-up of patients with low back pain during pregnancy. Brynhildsen J, Hansson A, Persson A, Hammar M. In: Obstetrics & Gynecology, Feb 1998; 91(2): 182-6.

Women with severe low back pain during pregnancy have an extremely high risk for experiencing a new episode of more severe low back pain during future pregnancies and when not pregnant.

Note: According to revised guidelines from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, vaginal delivery should be routine in women who previously underwent cesarean section birth, Journal Of The American Osteopathic Association, Feb.1989, Vol.89 No.2, p.164.

An effective drug-free approach to premature contractions. Phillips C. ICA Review Oct. 1998.

Dr. Carol Phillips has done an amazing job of integrating chiropractic with CranioSacral T therapy to develop a number of techniques to help women in labor and pregnancy. Using simple procedures, she teaches healthcare providers unique methods of helping […]