Pregnant? A Few Things We Wish More Women Knew

Pregnancy is strange.

One week you are carrying on pretty much as normal. A few weeks later, putting your socks on requires planning, turning over in bed wakes you up and getting off the sofa is suddenly a lot more complicated than it used to be.

We see a lot of pregnant women at MERN, and one thing we hear all the time is:

“I thought this was just part of being pregnant.”

Some changes are, of course. Your body is growing a baby — it is going to adapt.

But there are also some really simple things that can make life a little easier.

1. Stop doing everything on one leg

Putting trousers on? Sit down.

Shoes? Sit down.

If your pelvis is already feeling uncomfortable, repeatedly balancing on one leg may not be helping.

It sounds ridiculously simple, but sometimes the smallest changes are the ones that make the biggest difference.

2. Change position more often than you think you need to

Found a comfortable position? Brilliant. Unfortunately, your body might not love it quite so much after an hour.

Long periods sitting at a desk, curled up on the sofa or standing in the same position can leave you feeling much stiffer when you eventually move.

Try changing position regularly — stand up, have a little walk around, stretch your legs or simply sit differently.

Little and often is usually much easier than waiting until your body is shouting at you to move.

3. Your pillow may become your new best friend

A pillow between your legs at night can give your pelvis a little extra support. Some women also find a pillow supporting their bump more comfortable as pregnancy progresses.

It is not particularly glamorous, and your partner may complain there is no room left in the bed, but we will leave you to negotiate that one.

4. Keep moving — but listen to your body

Being pregnant does not automatically mean stopping exercise.

Walking, swimming, pregnancy yoga or simply keeping active day-to-day can all be good ways to keep your body moving, as long as they are appropriate for you and your pregnancy.

The important bit?

Do not feel you have to push through something that is clearly making you feel worse.

As your body changes, sometimes the way you exercise needs to change with it.

5. Do not wait until you are really struggling

If walking, stairs, turning over in bed or simply getting through your normal day is becoming increasingly uncomfortable, speak to your midwife or healthcare professional.

Yes, pregnancy brings changes.

But “you are pregnant” does not have to be the end of the conversation.

There may be things that can be done to help you manage those changes more comfortably.

What about chiropractic care during pregnancy?

This is something many women do not realise:

Not all chiropractors have undertaken additional pregnancy training or choose to focus on pregnancy care.

That is not a criticism. Chiropractic is a broad profession and, just like other healthcare professionals, chiropractors often develop particular areas of interest — whether that is sport, rehabilitation, children or pregnancy.

Pregnancy has been a particular focus for us at MERN for many years.

Through our additional training and experience of working with pregnant women, we developed our own approach — the MERN Maternal Method.

And it is not a set “pregnancy treatment” that everyone receives.

We look at you.

How your body is adapting.
How you are moving.
Your spine and pelvis.
What has changed.
What you are finding difficult.
And where you are in your pregnancy.

Your care and positioning are then adapted to you as your pregnancy progresses.

Because the woman still happily exercising at 30 weeks is very different from the woman struggling to turn over in bed at 22 weeks.

They should not be treated as though they are the same.

One last thing…

Please ask questions.

Whether you see us or another chiropractor, physiotherapist or healthcare professional, ask about their experience of working with pregnant women.

Tell them what you are worried about. Tell them if something does not feel comfortable. And make sure you understand what they are doing and why.

Pregnancy asks an extraordinary amount of your body.

Looking after it along the way makes sense.

If you would like to find out more about pregnancy chiropractic care or the MERN Maternal Method, get in touch with our team. We are always happy to have a chat and answer your questions.