Dr. Anne Langford has always had a strong interest in helping women and children optimize their health. Her most recent endeavor is at the 
Minnesota Birth Center, where she provides chiropractic care for pregnant women and newborn babies. It has been so rewarding for Dr. Langford to be a prenatal chiropractor, treating women through pregnancy, post-partum, and the newborn. Working with new moms and newborns is so rewarding because of the three reasons that a person might need to see a chiropractor (physical, emotional and chemical); a newborn only has one– they were born. While mom labors, so does the baby. They work just as hard at being born as the mother does in delivering them. While a birth might be as natural as possible, the baby’s spine and nervous system can be compressed and twisted and turned. Chiropractic care early on can prevent things like colic, latching issues while breastfeeding, torticollis, ear infections and reflux.
While they are best known for their pregnancy, birth, and post-partum care, the Minnesota Birth Center also offers well-woman care, perinatal care, and even yoga. Their mission statement is a true representation of the great services and healing environment they provide:
“The Minnesota Birth Center supports health and wellness for women throughout their life cycle in a manner that is safe and seamless. Women are encouraged and empowered through our midwife-led care model at clinics, birth centers and hospitals — which includes a medical safety net when necessary. Our core emphasis is support for the normal physiologic birth of a healthy newborn. We are committed to providing excellent clinical outcomes to satisfied women and families at a reasonable cost.”
Chiropractic care during pregnancy can be very beneficial.
In pregnancy, a woman’s body is constantly changing. Structurally, the body goes through changes to help support the developing baby and prepare the body for delivery. As the baby grows and is projected forward, additional pressure is placed on the lumbar spine and sacroiliac joints. The lumbar curvature increases to compensate for the new weight distribution, but adds even more stress on the intervertebral discs and facet joints. In addition, the baby’s positioning may put direct pressure on the lumbosacral nerve roots causing pain. Pressure and stretching of the peritoneum, bladder, and pelvic floor can also cause referred pain and muscle spasm, too.[1]
Circulating hormones during pregnancy also have an effect on the musculoskeletal system. Progesterone, estrogen, and relaxin bring about pelvic hypermobility and decrease in spinal stabilization. The ability of the pelvis to move is important during the birthing process, but it may be a source of low back pain during pregnancy.[1]
Chiropractic care during pregnancy, offers a safe, natural, drug-free approach to some of the common ailments, such as:
• Low back pain
• Sciatica
• Round ligament pain
• Pubic bone pain
• And more!
The newborn works just as hard as the mother does during the birthing process. During the pushing stage of labor, in particular, a baby’s spine may be compressed as the baby is compressed and pushed down the birth canal. It’s never too soon to have a newborn checked by a chiropractor – it could save them from potential problems later in life!
Dr. Langford is seeing patients at the Minnesota Birth Center on Wednesdays from 1:00 – 5:00 PM. Call our office to schedule an appointment!
