Summary
Dr. Stacey Merlot, a chiropractor specializing in prenatal and pediatric care for 11 years, joins the Preggie Pals panel to discuss chiropractic care during pregnancy. She explains that chiropractors are experts in the nervous system and specialize in detecting and removing interference through gentle, precise adjustments. While all chiropractors can adjust pregnant women, specialized training programs like those through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association and the Webster Technique certification provide additional expertise. The Webster Technique is highlighted as a specialized method for analyzing and balancing the pelvis -- its joints, ligaments, and muscles -- to relieve tension and create optimal alignment for the birth canal, uterus, and baby. Dr. Merlot emphasizes that many pregnant women wish they had known about chiropractic sooner, as it can help them thrive during pregnancy rather than just survive it. The panel, which includes mothers with extensive pregnancy experience, discusses how chiropractic complements other pregnancy care and supports overall maternal wellness.
Key Points
- All chiropractors can adjust pregnant women, but specialized certifications like Webster Technique provide additional expertise
- The Webster Technique balances pelvic joints, ligaments, and muscles to optimize birth canal alignment
- Chiropractors focus on the nervous system -- brain, spinal cord, and nerves -- detecting and removing interference
- Specialized training is available through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA)
- Many women report wishing they had known about chiropractic care earlier in their pregnancy
- Chiropractic during pregnancy aims to help women thrive, not just manage symptoms
- Prenatal chiropractic care complements other pregnancy wellness approaches
Key Moments
The Webster technique balances pelvic alignment for optimal birth positioning
Dr. Stacey Merlot explains the Webster technique, a specialized chiropractic method that analyzes and balances the pelvis — relieving tension in joints, ligaments, and muscles to create optimal alignment for the birth canal, uterus, and baby.
"the Webster technique is a specialized way to analyze a person's pelvis and to balance out the joints, the ligaments, and the muscles in the pelvic structure. It helps to relieve tension in the pelvis, and it creates an optimal alignment for the birth canal, the uterus, and the baby"
Relaxin hormone means pregnant women need gentler adjustments
During pregnancy, the hormone relaxin increases ligament elasticity to prepare for birth, meaning pregnant women often need lower-force adjustments using instruments like activators or integrators rather than traditional manual techniques.
"pregnant women, they get that secretion of relaxin into their body. So that helps with the elasticity of their ligaments and helps stretch and open things up so the pelvic girdle can open up for baby to pass through. So pregnant women need really gentle adjustments and low force adjustments often because they already have really loose ligaments"
No known contraindications to chiropractic care during pregnancy
Dr. Merlot confirms there are no known contraindications to chiropractic care during pregnancy, and for the large majority of pregnant women it is extremely safe for both mother and baby.
"there are no known contraindications to chiropractic care during pregnancy"
