What is happening with my body in the third trimester?

While we would stop short of calling it chaos, there is a lot going on! With anticipation reaching fever pitch and spilling over into anxiety, your body is also reaching its physical limit. Abdominal muscles are stretched out completely, the baby is approaching full weight and your body is producing more relaxin, a hormone responsible for loosening pelvic ligaments in preparation for delivery. Among other things:

• Frequent urination
• Heartburn
• Back pain and physical discomfort

…and then contractions begin! The third trimester is a challenge, even for those who are expecting, or those who have experienced before, this level of physical and emotional upheaval. Chiropractic aims to help make this chaotic period a little more stable. 

Chiropractic during the third trimester…

…focuses on stabilizing the pelvic and lower back regions in order to prevent excessive back pain and discomfort. Sciatica frequently appears at this point as the extra weight can become unevenly distributed and create an impingement on the sciatic nerve. This can be combatted with gentle, pregnancy-specific spinal adjustments that reset alignment and improve circulation throughout the body. Poor circulation is a feature of many pregnancies, and is a signal cause of discomfort, creating a feeling of heaviness in the legs and often swelling in the hands in feet. Third trimester chiropractic also focuses on ensuring your baby presents properly for birth; we use the Webster Technique to effectively turn your baby, helping to avoid complications during labor and delivery. If you want to find out more about how chiropractic can help make for a smoother, more comfortable pregnancy, at any phase, give our office in Milpitas a call to schedule an appointment today.