Pregnancy & Post Partum Treatment

Laura Nuttall has built up a well know reputation as a go to Chiropractor regarding pregnancy pain. 

Known for being a dedicated pregnancy, post partum and paediatric chiropractor, mums-to-be will travel far specifically to be treated by Laura. 

Laura first developed an interest in this field when she worked in Aberdeenshire, at a clinic which was one of the forefront of chiropractic pregnancy and paediatric research in the UK. Whilst working there she gained invaluable experience and knowledge in this ever growing area.

She regularly attends post graduate pregnancy and paediatric courses and this has allowed Laura to develop a very strong understanding and a high clinical standard in the treatment of pregnancy, babies and infants.

She is fully registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) and is a member of the Scottish Chiropractic Association.

She has also completed a range of post graduate pregnancy and post-partum courses and has developed a special interest in this area. As such, Laura has great experience in dealing with these types of conditions, and the frustrations and anxieties that can go hand in hand.


The nature of the problem will determine how many treatments are required. However, most people will require 4 to 6 sessions to restore and maintain the changes to the pelvis and surrounding connective tissues.

Are You Tired Of Suffering From Any Of These Issues?

  • Generally feeling sore and restricted?
  • Pain into your lower back, hips, groin or pubic bone?
  • Having difficulty climbing stairs; rolling over or getting out of bed?
  • Unusual symptoms into the arms or legs such as tingling or numbness?
  • Struggling to get in and out of the car or even stand up while getting dressed?
  • Pain and stiffness into your neck/midback when feeding, bathing or changing your baby
  • Pain/weakness on lifting or carrying your baby?

Would You Like To Benefit In The Following Ways?

  • Reduced pain levels.
  • Advice on posture.
  • Improved ability to carry out everyday tasks.
  • Better aligned pelvis and low back, allowing more room for the baby to move around and engage its head.

You may have been suffering with pain for some time and have been informed that unfortunately it is part of pregnancy and there is nothing that can be done. The good news is that there can be something that can be done.

Why should I have chiropractic care during pregnancy?

Unfortunately being pregnant is not always one of the most special times of a woman’s life where you breeze through your pregnancy with a wonderful glow. Your body is placed under many strains and stresses that it is not used to and as a result spinal and/ or pelvis dysfunction often develops.

If you are pregnant or a recent new parent and suffering with NECK or BACK PAIN, you are not alone. In fact between 50-70% of pregnant women experience lumbo-pelvic pain and 7-10% notice back pain after giving birth.(1)

Developing pain in your low back &/or pelvis can take some of the joy away from this incredible experience. Fortunately there are many things you can do about it, including seeking chiropractic care. This is a very safe and effective way to reduce/eliminate spinal and pelvic pain and dysfunction.

Why Your Pregnancy May Be Causing You Pain …

During pregnancy, there are several physical, physiological and hormonal changes that occur in preparation for creating the environment for your developing baby.

Pregnancy associated low back pain is most commonly caused by instability and dysfunction of the pelvic joints.

This often occurs because of the mechanical and hormonal changes your body faces during this time. Mechanically, at each stage of development, as your bump increases in size, you will notice an increase in the curve in your low back due to the increased weight and size of your baby pulling your gravity forwards. The resultant effect of this is an exaggerated demand on the joints, ligaments and muscles of your spine and pelvis.

Your body is producing and releasing ‘pregnancy’ hormones (predominantly relaxin, oestrogen and progesterone) which subsequently cause the body’s ligaments and joint capsules to lax making them more susceptible to minor trauma. The combination of these two factors can lead to the development of dysfunction and pain as your body tries to adapt and manage these changes.

When the pelvis is misaligned it may reduce the amount of room available for the developing baby. This restriction is called intrauterine constraint. Establishing pelvic balance and alignment is another reason to obtain chiropractic care during pregnancy.

“I was fine during my pregnancy, but since my baby was born I am in pain”

The arrival of a new born baby is a very exciting time but it is also a time when you, as parents, are at risk of developing neck or back pain. This is due to a combination of factors, including the neglect of your own health and the physical changes that your body goes through.

Often pain will develop due to poor core stability (as its integrity will have been reduced over the pregnancy) and biomechanical dysfunction as a result of the undue pressures and strains caused by pregnancy described above. This in turn can cause faulty movement patterns and thus mechanical irritation leading to the development of pain.

In addition to this, bad habits tend to develop. Carrying the baby on one side, hiking your hip and poor feeding posture can all lead to issues elsewhere, such as neck or mid back pain overtime.

My Baby is Breech, Can You Turn The Baby?

No, Chiropractors do not turn breeched babies.

However, if the reason your baby is not moving around and engaging its head is due to lack of room because of tight pelvic joints and ligaments (especially the round ligaments), chiropractic care has often been found be very beneficial in the majority of cases.
Often your pelvis becomes dysfunctional and tight as the pregnancy progresses due to the abnormal loads placed on it. This can cause the space in your uterus to become compromised and thus your developing baby has less room to move about.

Chiropractic care can help to relieve this tension in your pelvis and thus allow your baby the room it needs to move around into the correct position.

It is considered normal by some for a baby to present breech until the third trimester. Most birth practitioners are not concerned with breech presentations until a patient is 37 weeks along.

Please note, we often get phone calls asking if we can help a few days before due date. If the baby is breech due to postural limitations then this will often take a few treatments. A one off treatment just before due date will have minimal benefit.

Is Chiropractic safe during pregnancy?

There are no known contraindications to chiropractic care throughout pregnancy.

Chiropractors who have been trained to work with pregnant women use tables or pregnancy pillows that adjust for a pregnant woman’s body.

They will use techniques that avoid pressure on the abdomen.

Here Are Just Some Of The Benefits Of Being Treated At MERN Chiropractic Clinic

  • Trusted Family Friendly Clinic – MERN Chiropractic has established links with local pregnancy and post natal groups and professionals. We are a family friendly clinic and you are more than welcome to bring any children in with you as we are fully aware that getting child care can be difficult. We have colouring books and toys to keep them amused so you can fully focus your attention on the care you are receiving.
  • Specialist Pregnancy Cushion – We have a special treatment cushion which allows you to lie on your stomach.
  • Stress Free Baby Care – Your chiropractor will make no contact with your baby and thus your unborn child will remain unaffected by this mode of treatment.
  • AdviceExercise and information sheets may be provided for you, not only on what to do while you are pregnant but also important milestones to look for in your baby’s development.

Treatment Guarantee

We guarantee if you are not suitable for chiropractic treatment we will not charge you and look to refer you to another specialist that may be able to offer you more appropriate treatment.

Start To Enjoy Your Pregnancy And Improve Your Pelvic Position,
Call on 07469 205041 Today


References
(1) Robinson et al. Pelvic girdle pain – associations between risk factors in early pregnancy and disability or pain intensity in late pregnancy: a prospective cohort study. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2010. 11:91