Many of the moms who come into our practice aren't coming in because something hurts. They're seeking care because they want to prepare their bodies for childbirth, and most of them have a goal of some form of natural birth. It's truly an amazing thing to watch moms be so forward-thinking about their pregnancy and birth.
At the same time, I sometimes lament the fact that they even have to worry so much about it. In this article, I'll share a little of how we landed here, and more importantly, some of the ways moms are trying to stack the odds in their favor to have the birth they want.
Birth Is Normal Physiology
Modern obstetrics has given us incredible tools for situations when mom or baby needs medical intervention. At the same time, our modern birth system can sometimes lean toward intervention rather than allowing normal physiology the time and space it needs. For some moms, a natural birth means minimal or no interventions. For others, it simply means they really want to avoid major abdominal surgery.
Whatever the case, a mom's goal is a mom's goal.
Our job isn't to decide what her birth should look like. It's to help each mom prepare for the birth she wants. There's obviously no way to guarantee a particular birth outcome, but there are things we recommend before and during pregnancy that may help remove barriers to normal physiological birth.
I want to take a moment to define that term. Instead of viewing pregnancy as a medical condition that must always be managed, we can also recognize pregnancy and childbirth for what they are: normal human physiology. We were given a reproductive system for exactly that: reproduction.
What Can Get in the Way?
Interestingly, traditional obstetrical texts have described several factors that can affect the progression of labor. They're commonly remembered as the Power, Passage and Passenger.
- 01PowerThe expulsive forces of the uterus: the contractions that help move baby through labor.
- 02PassageThe size and shape of the pelvis and birth canal through which baby must travel.
- 03PassengerBaby, including baby's position during birth. More recently, some have used the word participant instead, a great reminder that your baby isn't simply along for the ride. You and your baby work as a team on his or her birthday.
Looking Beyond the “Three P's”
As perinatal chiropractors, we look at some additional factors that may influence how well a mom adapts throughout pregnancy. Dr. Jeanne Ohm described neurobiomechanical, emotional and technocratic barriers to birth. The technocratic barrier is the cultural belief that birth must be medically managed to be safe, and we explore all three in more depth in our post on the Webster Technique and natural birth.
There's actually quite a bit of overlap between the neurobiomechanical component and the traditional Power, Passage and Passenger model. The neurological side includes the nervous system's communication with the uterus, cervix, pelvic floor and the rest of the body involved in labor. The biomechanical side includes the pelvis itself: how it moves, how balanced it is, and the muscles and ligaments surrounding it.
Why Pelvic Balance Matters in Pregnancy
Pregnancy asks an incredible amount of adaptability from a mom's body. As baby grows, her center of gravity changes, the pelvis adapts, and the muscles and ligaments surrounding it continually respond to those changes. Rather than thinking only in terms of what might be “wrong,” we're interested in how well mom's body is adapting.
This is where care from a Webster Certified prenatal chiropractor can be helpful. Our goal with chiropractic care during pregnancy is to support movement, balance and adaptability throughout the spine and pelvis while supporting the nervous system as it responds to the changing demands of pregnancy. A balanced, well-moving pelvis also creates an environment that gives baby the opportunity to move and find a favorable position for birth.
Drs. Josh and Jess have been Webster Certified for nearly two decades, and we've had the privilege of caring for many moms in Gilbert and across the East Valley who chose chiropractic care as part of preparing their bodies for pregnancy and birth.
Birth Isn't Only Physical
Earlier, I mentioned emotional barriers to birth, and there are so many ways this can show up. It may be the Type A mom who likes to control every aspect of her life, only to discover that birth requires a certain amount of letting go. It may be the mom who spends much of her day in a “fight-or-flight” state. Labor asks something very different of the nervous system: the ability to feel safe, regulate and let the body do its work.
And then there's the way we perceive birth culturally. TV and movies often portray birth as an emergency filled with screaming, fear and extreme pain. While labor can certainly be intense, moms can also learn skills that help them work with their bodies. Breathing, movement, positioning, relaxation techniques and approaches such as hypnobirthing may all become part of her toolbox.
Sometimes there's even guilt around wanting a natural birth because it may not feel like the typical choice. Fear, doubt, distrust and pressure from other people matter too. That's why we spend time talking with our moms about what their ideal birth looks like and reminding them that pregnancy and birth are normal physiology. Sometimes simply knowing you're not alone in thinking differently about birth can be incredibly empowering.
So What Can You Do to Prepare for Birth?
At the top of our list: build health. Think about pregnancy as a time to build capacity, not simply react to aches and pains as they come up. Here's where we encourage moms to start.
Move well, and move often
Our bodies were made to move, so make time every day to move yours. It doesn't need to be complicated. A daily walk, lifting weights, or a prenatal yoga class are all great options. If you've been strength training, there's often no reason to stop; just listen to your body and adjust as your pregnancy progresses. One thing we do suggest avoiding is deep twisting motions, especially twists that compress the belly. As always, check with your OB or midwife before starting something new.
Learn to breathe
Breathing is one of the simplest and most powerful tools you can practice during pregnancy, and it's one you'll use in labor. Start with belly breathing:
- 01Belly breathingPlace a hand on your belly. As you inhale, let your belly rise, and let your diaphragm and pelvic floor gently drop and relax. As you exhale, let everything soften back.
- 02Box breathingOnce that feels natural, try slowing your breath down: breathe in for 4, hold for 4, and breathe out for 4.
- 03Longer, slower breathsAs you get comfortable, stretch it out to something like in for 8 and out for 8.
Why does this matter? Slow, deep breathing helps activate the parasympathetic side of your nervous system, the “rest and digest” state your body needs to feel safe and let labor do its work. A few minutes a day adds up.
Nourish your body
Eat nourishing, whole foods, and when possible, choose foods with fewer unnecessary chemicals and pesticides and limit highly processed foods. Make sure you're getting adequate protein, since your body is building a whole new person, and drink lots of water throughout the day. Get adequate rest, too. Growing a baby is real work.
Educate yourself about birth
The more you understand about how birth works, the less room there is for fear. Consider taking an evidence-based childbirth class, and read a good book on birth. Anything written by Ina May Gaskin, like Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, is a wonderful place to start. And remember that hypnobirthing isn't just a technique; it's a birth skill, and like any skill, it gets better with practice.
Find your people
Find other moms who are pregnant. Spend time with people you love, reduce unnecessary stress where you can, and build connection. Community makes you feel safe, and feeling safe is exactly what your nervous system needs heading into birth.
Get your spine and pelvis checked
Lastly, have your spine and pelvis checked by a Webster Certified chiropractor. For many moms, chiropractic care becomes one part of preparing for birth. The goal isn't simply to chase aches and pains. It's to support movement, nervous system function and adaptability as your body does the remarkable work of growing and preparing to birth a baby. See our full approach to prenatal care →
It Was Never About a “Perfect” Pregnancy
The goal was never a perfect pregnancy. And birth preparation doesn't necessarily begin at 38 weeks. In many ways, it begins even before conception. Small habits practiced over time add up to meaningful changes in our health, our fertility, and the way our bodies adapt throughout pregnancy.
The goal is to give your body the best opportunity we can to do what it was designed to do, while recognizing that birth doesn't always follow a plan.
Move well. Nourish yourself. Build capacity. Prepare your body. And go into birth with confidence in what your body can do.
Preparing for pregnancy or birth?
Let's talk about the birth you want.
Dr. Josh and Dr. Jess are both accepting new prenatal patients in Gilbert, AZ. A first visit is a conversation, not a commitment.