What Happens at a Prenatal Chiropractic Visit?

Pregnancy brings a lot of changes and a lot of appointments.

If you’ve never been to a chiropractor while pregnant, you may be wondering what another appointment is going to involve.

Can I lie on my stomach? Is the adjustment different because I’m pregnant? What will the chiropractor examine? Do I need X-rays? And what exactly is the Webster Technique?

At New Journey Chiropractic in Ormond Beach, prenatal chiropractic visits are designed around you, your stage of pregnancy, your comfort, and your individual examination findings.

Here’s what you can expect when you visit our office during pregnancy.

Step 1: We Start With Your Pregnancy and Health History

Your first visit begins with a conversation.

We want to understand what brought you to our office, but we also want to know more about your overall health and pregnancy.

Depending on your individual situation, we’ll discuss things such as your health history, current pregnancy, previous pregnancies, previous injuries, daily activities, and any concerns you’re currently experiencing.

We’ll also want to know about the other healthcare professionals involved in your prenatal care.

Your obstetrician or midwife remains an important part of your healthcare team. Chiropractic care during pregnancy is intended to complement not replace appropriate prenatal and obstetric care.

Step 2: A Pregnancy-Appropriate Chiropractic Examination

After your consultation, we’ll perform an examination based on your history, stage of pregnancy, and reason for visiting.

Pregnancy changes your center of gravity, weight distribution, posture, and the physical demands placed on different areas of your body.

Your examination allows us to evaluate how your body is functioning and adapting to those changes.

Depending on your individual needs, we may evaluate areas such as posture, movement, spinal and pelvic function, and other orthopedic or neurological findings when appropriate.

Your examination is modified throughout pregnancy to keep you comfortable.

Step 3: INSiGHT Nervous System Scans When Appropriate

Your examination may also include INSiGHT Scans when appropriate.

These non-invasive scans provide objective information about different aspects of nervous system and physiological function.

Depending on the scans performed, we may evaluate patterns such as muscle activity, temperature regulation, and heart rate variability.

There are no needles, and INSiGHT Scans do not use radiation.

The scans aren’t used to diagnose pregnancy complications or medical conditions. Instead, they provide additional objective information that we can consider alongside your health history and examination findings.

Step 4: Will I Need X-Rays While Pregnant?

X-rays are generally avoided during pregnancy and are not a routine part of our prenatal chiropractic examination.

In most cases, we are able to evaluate our pregnant patients using their health history, physical examination, and other non-invasive assessment methods without the need for X-rays.

If a situation arises where diagnostic imaging may be medically necessary, we will discuss our findings with you and, when appropriate, coordinate with or refer you to your obstetric or other healthcare provider to determine the safest and most appropriate next step.

Our priority is to gather the information we need while keeping both you and your pregnancy in mind throughout the examination process.

Step 5: We Review What We Found

Your care shouldn’t be based on a one-size-fits-all pregnancy protocol.

We consider your health and pregnancy history, examination findings, INSiGHT Scans when performed, and any other clinically relevant information before making recommendations.

We’ll explain what we found, answer your questions, and discuss whether chiropractic care is appropriate for you.

If your history or examination indicates that another healthcare professional should be involved, we’ll discuss that as well.

How Are Chiropractic Adjustments Different During Pregnancy?

Chiropractic care is modified as your body changes throughout pregnancy.

The techniques and positioning used should take into account your stage of pregnancy, comfort, examination findings, and individual needs.

As your belly grows, we’ll modify your positioning so you don’t have to simply lie flat on your stomach on a standard table.

Pregnancy-specific tables, cushions, or other positioning modifications can help comfortably accommodate your growing belly.

The goal is to provide individualized care without forcing your body into an uncomfortable position.

What Is the Webster Technique?

You may have heard about the Webster Technique while researching prenatal chiropractic care.

It is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment focused on the sacrum, sacroiliac joints, and associated soft tissues. It is commonly incorporated into chiropractic care for pregnant patients when appropriate.

One important distinction is that this is not a technique for manually turning a breech baby.

The chiropractor’s focus is on the pregnant patient’s musculoskeletal system rather than manually changing the baby’s position.

If you’ve been told that your baby is breech or in another non-head-down presentation, your obstetrician or midwife should evaluate fetal presentation and discuss the appropriate options with you.

Do All Pregnant Patients Receive the Webster Technique?

No.

Being pregnant doesn’t automatically mean that every patient should receive exactly the same chiropractic technique.

Your chiropractor should consider your health history, stage of pregnancy, examination findings, comfort, and individual needs when determining what type of care is appropriate.

Webster Technique may be incorporated when indicated, but prenatal chiropractic care is broader than one particular technique.

What If I’m Experiencing Low Back, Hip, or Pelvic Discomfort?

Changes in your growing abdomen, center of gravity, posture, and daily physical demands can contribute to musculoskeletal discomfort during pregnancy.

Some patients first seek chiropractic care because they’re experiencing low back, hip, pelvic, or other musculoskeletal discomfort.

If you’re experiencing pain, we’ll evaluate your history and examination findings rather than assuming pregnancy itself explains the symptoms.

Not every symptom during pregnancy should automatically be attributed to normal pregnancy changes.

If something falls outside the scope of chiropractic care or requires further evaluation, we’ll discuss the appropriate referral or next step with you.

Can I See a Chiropractor if I’m Not in Pain?

Pain isn’t the only reason a pregnant patient may choose to visit a chiropractor.

Some patients seek care because they want their musculoskeletal and nervous system function evaluated as their bodies adapt throughout pregnancy.

Whether you’re experiencing discomfort or simply interested in chiropractic care during pregnancy, your recommendations should be based on your individual history and examination findings.

What If I’m Late in My Pregnancy?

You don’t necessarily need to have started chiropractic care early in pregnancy to have a conversation with a chiropractor later.

Patients may first seek care at different stages of pregnancy.

If you’re later in your pregnancy, we’ll take that into consideration when performing your examination, determining appropriate positioning, and making recommendations.

Your comfort and individual clinical circumstances remain important regardless of when you first visit.

Your Questions Are Welcome

Pregnancy can come with a lot of opinions about what you should or shouldn’t do.

We want you to feel comfortable asking questions about your chiropractic care.

Ask us what we’re examining.

Ask why we’re recommending a particular technique.

Ask how we’ll position you comfortably.

Ask us to explain your INSiGHT Scans.

Ask about the Webster Technique.

And ask how chiropractic care fits alongside the care you’re already receiving from your obstetrician, midwife, or other healthcare providers.

You deserve to understand the care being recommended to you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Prenatal Chiropractic Visits

 

Is chiropractic care different when you’re pregnant?

Yes. Your examination, positioning, and chiropractic techniques can be modified based on your stage of pregnancy, changing body, comfort, and individual examination findings.

Can I lie on my stomach at the chiropractor while pregnant?

As your belly grows, pregnancy-specific tables, cushions, and positioning modifications can be used to accommodate your changing body. Your chiropractor can adjust your positioning throughout pregnancy based on your comfort and the technique being used.

Do I need X-rays at my first prenatal chiropractic visit?

Not automatically. Imaging decisions should be based on your individual history, examination findings, clinical circumstances, and whether imaging is necessary. Pregnancy is an important consideration when determining whether an X-ray is appropriate.

What should I wear to my prenatal chiropractic appointment?

Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move easily during the examination. If anything different is needed for a particular part of your examination, the office can let you know.

Do I need a referral from my OB or midwife to see a chiropractor?

Referral requirements can depend on your circumstances and healthcare coverage. Your obstetrician or midwife should remain involved in your prenatal healthcare, and communication between providers may be appropriate when necessary.

What is the Webster Technique during pregnancy?

The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment focused on the sacrum, sacroiliac joints, and associated soft tissues. It may be incorporated into prenatal chiropractic care based on the patient’s individual examination findings.

Does the Webster Technique turn a breech baby?

No. It is not a procedure for manually turning or repositioning a baby. If your baby is breech, your obstetrician or midwife is the appropriate provider to evaluate fetal presentation and discuss available options.

When should I start seeing a chiropractor during pregnancy?

There isn’t one specific week that’s appropriate for every patient. Some patients begin earlier in pregnancy, while others seek care later. Recommendations should be based on your individual history, stage of pregnancy, examination findings, and needs.

Can I start chiropractic care in my third trimester?

Potentially, yes. Being later in pregnancy doesn’t automatically prevent you from being evaluated by a chiropractor. Your stage of pregnancy, health history, examination findings, and comfort will help determine what care is appropriate.

Will my prenatal chiropractic visit be the same every time?

Not necessarily. Your body changes throughout pregnancy, and your care may change with it. Your positioning, examination findings, comfort, and individual needs can all influence how your visits are approached.

Prenatal Chiropractic Care in Ormond Beach, FL

At New Journey Chiropractic, we provide individualized chiropractic care for pregnant patients in Ormond Beach and surrounding communities.

Your prenatal chiropractic visit is about more than simply getting adjusted.

It’s an opportunity for us to understand your history, evaluate how your body is functioning and adapting during pregnancy, gather objective information when appropriate, and determine whether chiropractic care is right for you.

As your pregnancy progresses, your care can be modified based on your changing body, comfort, and individual examination findings.

If you’re pregnant and have questions about prenatal chiropractic care, the Webster Technique, or what your first visit will look like, contact New Journey Chiropractic to learn more or schedule your first visit.