The 4th Trimester and Chiropractic Care
What is the 4th Trimester?
The 4th trimester is a phrase used for the postpartum period until your baby is about 3 months old. This is a time where mamas are getting used to being new moms and getting into the groove of having a new life that depends on them every minute of the day. With all of this excitement of welcoming in a new life can also come some hard time of stress, little sleep, and aches and pains. Moms out there need to know they are not alone and everyone goes through the 4th trimester (in all different ways) and still need love and a support system to get them through it.
The Physical Demand
The demands of your body have now changed from feeding and nurturing the baby in utero to now carrying and caring for this baby in the real world which can put a lot of stress on the body. You can thank your body for the hormone Relaxin as it helps most mamas have a relaxed pelvis and cervix during birth but this hormone is rolling through the body till about 6 months postpartum so this helps your body heal from the incredibly amazing experience of child birth you just went through. However, the sleepless nights, countless hours of holding baby and still taking care of your family can take a toll on your body so make sure to let your parents, friends, family and whoever is wanting to help, help you out with small chores to make your life easier.
Breastfeeding and caring for a new baby can be difficult on your body. If you are nursing your baby, your body has to not only hold the baby up and use muscles in your arms that you might not have ever known were there but you also change the way you sit while nursing. Mamas have a tendency to slouch forward to help get a clear view of their baby and the most important thing is to be comfortable with your baby so there is no need to focus solely on your posture but to be aware of it after breastfeeding so we can help stabilize those back muscle so we don’t cause tension in the neck, shoulders, and back. One good way to help with this and still get to look at the wonderful life you just created is to bring baby up to you or support them with a nursing pillow. We will be publishing another blog about exercises to do during this time period so don't fret.
The Emotional Demand
Having a baby, no matter how prepared you might be, is going to shake your world up but I promise you will see it is in a good way!! Wether you are a first time mom or a pro at the whole parenting world, you can still have emotions running through you, some good, some bad throughout the whole 4th trimester and even after. This is a time where you cannot forget about yourself. You need to take time for yourself, take care of yourself, let people help you so you can get just 30 minutes of sleep because your body will thank you! As a chiropractor I see not only the physical demand it takes to be a parent but the emotional demand. Moms are exhausted and to add emotions in the mix can really cause a lot of tension in their shoulders, neck and back. This is why it is important to not forget about your chiropractor during this time because we can help decrease joint restrictions in the pelvis, back, and neck as well as evaluate your baby to help with some stressful things like latching and sleeping.
A lot of moms want to be the perfect mom out there when in reality you don’t have to be perfect; babies don’t need perfect; they just need you to be you, the loving mom they had nurturing them in utero and now in the flesh!! DO NOT forget that you are all they need in these first years of life… no special gadgets, no special toys, no special feeding utensils.. just YOU.
Make Time for YOU... The Hardworking Mom
Every pregnancy, birth, postpartum period and baby are different. Just make sure that you are taking care of yourself. Take time to exercise or spend time with a friend or do activities that you might not of been able to do during pregnancy. If you feel overwhelmed, ask for help… remember most people would drop their whole day to help you snuggle and care for a new baby… it a blessing for most people to just be there to hold your baby so you can take a shower or go to the bathroom in peace.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care
Increased milk supply
Better hormonal balance
Increased energy levels
Less stress and anxiety
Better sleep
Improved immune and nervous system function
Bottom line is parenting can place a physical and emotional demand on your body but you have a team of family, friends, and providers waiting to help you get through this 4th trimester. Don’t wait to see your chiropractor because they can help you feel back to normal and live a healthy and happy life with your new little one.
YOU GOT THIS MAMAS!
Author
Dr. Kayla McVay