As a pregnancy-chiropractor, women see me to help ease the stress on their body as it adapts to carrying and delivering a child.

The majority of women attend my clinic with some form of pain but a growing number are presenting before symptoms occur, making a pain-free pregnancy much easier to achieve.

If you are unsure about seeing a chiropractor whilst pregnant, hopefully this post will help you understand the process of a chiropractic appointment.

Pregnancy is a phenomenal thing. The changes occurring in your body are astonishing. It also signals a change to your life-circumstances, whether your first child or fifth.

You deserve to experience this transformative period of your life fully, without being distracted by pain or worry.

Chiropractic treatment is an effective way of easing problems like low back and pelvic pain, however, a growing body of research also suggests it can help your body cope with stress and prepare for childbirth [1; 2]

A chiropractor can assist your body as it adapts during pregnancy, allowing you to enjoy and marvel at what your body is capable of.

In the UK, the Royal College of Chiropractors has a pregnancy and paediatric faculty. Look out for the post-nominal letters MRCC (preg/paeds).

All chiropractors in the UK are listed on the General Chiropractic Council website.

Belloost have a directory of clinicians who use Belloost pillows to go the extra mile for pregnant clients. If you get in touch with this link, the Belloost team can help you find someone in your area.

When you contact your chosen clinic, let them know you are pregnant as they are likely to have special forms for pregnant patients.

Most clinics follow the same appointment process:

• Discussion of your health history

• Physical examination and special tests

• Explanation of findings and discussion of treatment options

• Treatment

Some clinics will split the above into two or three appointments, whilst others will do everything in one.

Come wearing comfortable clothes. Some clinics may ask you to change into a gown, but most will not. Leggings and a top are great, but whatever you are comfortable in is best.

Don’t be shy when discussing your health history. Your chiropractor is a registered professional and has seen it all before.

The type of treatment provided will vary depending on your needs and preferences.

Crucially, treatment should be comfortable. Most clinics in the UK use Belloost pillows to allow you to lie face down without any pressure on your bump or breasts.

This is a great opportunity to rest, so just lie there and let the chiropractor do what needs doing.

Treatment during pregnancy is adapted around your needs. Often pregnant patients benefit from a gentler approach than might be required for others.

Your chiropractor will usually take a whole-body approach, so that you are in the best possible condition all-round.

The list of conditions a chiropractor can help with is long, but includes:

• Back Pain

• Neck Pain

• Sciatica

• Pelvic Pain

• Headaches

• Muscular Aches

But if there is one thing I would like you to take from this post, it is that prevention is better than cure. All pregnant patients can benefit from chiropractic care right up to, and after, childbirth.