During pregnancy most women experience a number of neuromuscular and biomechanical problems which respond favorably to gentle, safe, noninvasive chiropractic care. One change that occurs is the release of the hormone relaxin. This hormone causes muscle and ligament relaxation, which is a good function, however it also allows joints to more easily misalign. There is also weight gain and change in weight distribution which causes an increase demand and fatigue on spinal and pelvic muscles and ligaments. In addition, there is an increase in lumbar and thoracic spinal curves which further increase the stress on muscles and ligaments. All of this put together causes an increase in joint stress and thus occurrence of misalignments, which puts unnecessary stress on you and your baby. Its effects are possible pain and/or discomfort.

Exercise

Exercise during pregnancy helps to keep spinal musculature strong, balanced, and pain-free. It enables spinal muscles to maintain the spine and body in a neutral correct posture and keeps mom active and mobile.

A few exercises that will benefit a pregnant women's body:

Kegel 's
Tightening these muscles helps control the flow of urine, but can control the muscle to aid in giving birth. This will not only decrease the need for an episiotomy, but will decrease the rate of tearing and later in life will help prevent uterine prolapse. Do these at least 50 times per day. Pelvic Tilts
Doing these before going to bed will allow you a few extra minutes between bathroom breaks and is perfect for back aches. To get started, stand, place a hand on your abdomen and a hand on you lower back. Bend slightly at the knees. Concentrate on slowly moving only your pelvis and tucking it under. Do at least 100 times throughout the day. Squatting
By using the inner thighs and stretching everything out you can prepare you lower body for birth. If you choose this position to give birth in, your body will be ready. Practice these several minutes a day. Tailor sitting
An easy one! Sit with your legs crossed at the ankle, knees out much like you used to sit for story time in kindergarten. This will also help stretch your inner thighs. Practice these several minutes a day. You can do this while doing your laundry, watching TV, and anything else that can be done comfortably on the floor.

Nutrition

Unique to the pregnant mother, nutrition can increase the chances for a healthy baby. It can also assist the mother in maintaining optimal energy levels and keep mother happy and healthy during stressful periods Some examples of good nutrition:

Protein: Provides materials for the growing issues, including the placenta, the mother's blood and the baby. Get three good serving a day from beans, chicken, fish meat, or eggs.

Calcium: This mineral is needed for proper bone formation in the baby and to help preserve the mother's bone strength. The need for calcium is most crucial during the last three months when fetal bone formation takes place.

Iron: It is important to maintain good iron levels. Iron is used to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to your organs and tissues. When you're pregnant, your body makes extra blood for both you and your baby. Your body needs extra iron to make this blood and also to support your baby's rapid growth. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, meat, and beans are all good sources of iron.

Folic Acid: This is important to prevent certain birth defects and is at a higher requirement for pregnant women. A few sources offolic acid are green vegetables, meat, and beans.

Fluids: You need extra fluid to feed your increase blood volume and for amniotic fluid. Drink at least six to eight glasses of liquids a day. Holding back on them will not alleviate the swelling you may have during pregnancy during pregnancy; in fact too little fluid can tax your kidneys, and cause them to retain fluid to ensure there's enough in your body

The Chiropractors' Role in you pregnancy

The chiropractors at Foti Chiropractic Milwaukee will work with you in all of the above from nutrition, exercise, physical health, and elimination of misalignments in the spine. All of this can enhance mom's experience by decreasing pain and/or discomfort and help maintain a stress free environment for you and your baby. Dr Felicia Foti specializes in working with expecting mom's and can specifically alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms arising from the muscular, ligamentum, and biomechanical stresses encountered during pregnancy. We accomplish this through the use of a number of highly specialized safe and drug-free procedures and techniques, which includes gentle spinal adjustive procedures specifically designed for use in the pregnant female.

Contact Foti Chiropractic for an appointment for a safe and drug free pregnancy! 414.259.9008

Walking is one of the easiest and most popular forms of exercise. You can do it anywhere, at any time. And, walking doesn't require any special equipment or training—just a comfy pair of shoes.

For the Health of It

Regular exercise—such as walking—is an important part of a healthy way of life. Not only can it help you achieve a healthy weight, but it also can:

• Tone your muscles
• Boost your endurance
• Help reduce stress and tension
• Increase your energy level
• Help reduce the risk of certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure

Get Ready, Get Set...

It's simple to start a walking program. But, here are a few important points to consider first:

• See your doctor. Check with your doctor before beginning any exercise program. This is very important if you are age 40 or older, have prior injuries, are obese or if you've been inactive for a while. He or she also may give you suggestions on how to get the most out of your fitness routine.
• Protect your feet. Make sure you have sturdy walking shoes that offer good support, shock .absorption and traction. Also, wear the right athletic socks.
• Wear comfy clothes. Choose lightweight fabrics—such as cotton—that will keep you cool. Or, look for special materials that help soak up moisture and keep it away from your skin.
• Stay safe. Use a well-lit path or trail. And, consider working out with a friend or group of people.

There are lots of places to find out more about chiropractic as well as other natural healing methods. The more knowledge you have, the more power you will retain when participating in making health decisions. We have listed a few resources to help you get started but feel free to contact us at 414.259.9008 for any specific questions you may have. We also will have various health improvement ideas to share here so please visit often.

• Milwaukee Medical Massage Therapy - Solitude Massage will supplement your chiropractic care with massage that is proven to help your muscles heal along with your skelatal healing.
• www.backhealth.net - A site for exercises and fitness advice.
• International Chiropractic Pediatric Association - Read more on Chiropractic Care for Children and in Pregnancy
• Outpost Natural Foods - Wauwatosa, Milwaukee and Bayview

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