Reflux During Pregnancy: Causes and Chiropractic Solutions

Reflux, also known as heartburn, is a common digestive disorder that affects many pregnant women. It occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation or discomfort in the chest area. In this blog post, we will explore the different causes of reflux during pregnancy, discuss the role of hiatal hernia, and highlight the potential benefits of chiropractic care in managing this condition.

Causes of Reflux During Pregnancy:
1. Hormonal Changes: During pregnancy, the body experiences an increase in the hormones progesterone and relaxin. These hormones work to relaxes the muscles to help create more space for the growing baby. However, it also relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which normally acts as a barrier to prevent stomach acid from flowing back into the esophagus. The relaxation of the LES can lead to reflux symptoms.

2. Pressure on the Stomach: As the pregnancy progresses, the growing uterus puts pressure on the stomach, pushing the stomach contents upward and causing reflux.

3. Diet and Lifestyle Factors: Certain foods, such as spicy or fatty foods, citrus fruits, and caffeine, can trigger reflux symptoms. Additionally, eating large meals, lying down immediately after eating, or consuming carbonated beverages can exacerbate reflux during pregnancy.

Hiatal Hernia and its Connection to Reflux:
A hiatal hernia is a condition where a portion of the stomach protrudes into the chest cavity through the diaphragm, which separates the abdomen from the chest. This causes a pinching of the stomach, and leads to reflux symptoms. Hiatal hernias can be congenital or develop over time due to factors like obesity, aging, or pregnancy. During pregnancy, the growing uterus can put pressure on the stomach and contribute to the development or worsening of a hiatal hernia, increasing the likelihood of reflux symptoms.

What we can do:
Chiropractic care offers a non-invasive approach to managing reflux during pregnancy. Research suggests that chiropractic adjustments can help improve the function of the diaphragm and reduce the pressure on the stomach, thus alleviating reflux symptoms.

A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that pregnant women who received chiropractic care experienced a significant reduction in reflux symptoms compared to those who did not receive treatment. The adjustments performed by chiropractors focused on realigning the spine and improving nervous system function, leading to improved overall body function, including the digestive system.

At Eastridge Chiropractic, our chiropractors are also trained to perform a hiatal hernia pull procedure, which helps reduce the pinching of the top of the stomach by the diaphragm. We also perform soft tissue work to help the diaphragm function better and reduce reflux symptoms. Research shows improvement in reflux symptoms with diaphragmatic breating, and we instruct on these techniques. One of our favorite is called “box breathing”:

1. Laying on your back with your knees bent, place one hand on your upper chest and shoulder, and one hand on your stomach

2. First let’s check in on our breathing technique. Take a deep breath in - where do you feel the breath going? We DON’T want to feel your upper chest and shoulder going up and down toward your shoulder as you breathe. We DO want to feel your belly going up and down, and feel our breath going 360 degrees into our rib cage.

3. NOW, we box breathe! Keep your hands in the same position and take a long, deep diaphragmatic breath while counting to 5. Now hold this breath in for 5 seconds.

4. Take a deep, full breath out while counting to 5. Hold this for 5 seconds before repeating the cycle with another 5 second inhale and hold.

5. Perform 10-20 of these breaths before bed to help relax, or whenever you notice reflux symptoms are worse.

Another top recommendation we give to our patients is digestive enzymes or papaya enzymes (check out our Fullscript Dispensary here for our favorite professional grade brands at a 10% discount). These are substances which help with the breakdown of food and the absorption of nutrients. Taking digestive or papaya enzymes before meals can assist in improving digestion and reducing the occurence of reflux symptoms.

Chiropractors may also provide guidance on lifestyle modifications, such as dietary changes and proper posture, to further support the management of reflux symptoms during pregnancy.

Conclusion:
Reflux during pregnancy can be attributed to hormonal changes, increased pressure on the stomach, the presence of a hiatal hernia and diet. While reflux can be uncomfortable, chiropractic care offers a natural and holistic approach to managing the symptoms. Through spinal adjustments, soft tissue work and lifestyle recommendations, chiropractors can help pregnant women find relief from reflux and improve their overall well-being. Read more about chiropractic care during pregnancy here.

Belly Mapping

Belly Mapping is a helpful tool to tell where baby is sitting in the final months of pregnancy. It is not diagnostic, and can't tell you with certainty how your labor will go, but it gives great insight and is a fun and empowering activity!

How to:

1. Tune into baby's movement throughout the day. Where do you feel kicks? This is most likely where the feet are! Where do you feel "flutters"? This is may be where the arms are!

2. Lay down on your back, with your abdominal muscles relaxed as possible. Use the pads of your fingers, not the very tips. Press slow and steady until you feel baby’s contours.

3. Follow the contours and notice when they change direction, or you feel a bulge, such as when your fingers “walk” from the baby’s back over the hip to the little bum, like coming around a round corner.

The smooth back is across from the limbs. It's felt as a "firmness". If baby isn’t directly facing back or front, but faces a side, you’ll feel a smooth, hard side and a softer, lumpier side.

If everything feels lumpy, consider you might be feeling limbs that are close together.

4. Draw a circle and make your map! Match head to firm head, match bum to bulge, match feet to kicks and match back to the firm side.

Don't feel wiggles in the front? Turn the back forward on your map.

5. Assign a label for the position.

The first letter in a three-letter label stands for which side of the mother the back of baby’s head is along, left (L) or right (R). The second letter in a trio, or first in a two-letter label, is the baby part, which is O for occiput (the back of the baby’s head) for a head down baby. The last letter is A for Anterior (front), T for Transverse or P for Posterior (back).

If baby is not head down, other positions include Frank or Footling Breech and Transverse lie. If you believe your baby may be in one of these positions at 36 weeks gestation or later, it is important to consult with your birth team as soon as possible.

5 Indications To See A Chiropractor While Pregnant!

Congratulations, mama!

Pregnancy can be a wild ride. It involves a lot of preparation. One of the things you may have started to prepare is your pregnancy and birth team. Often, I get the question: “How do I know that a Chiropractor should be a part of my birth team?”. Full disclosure - my honest answer is always EVERYONE needs a chiropractor. The benefits are undeniable. And why would a pregnant woman be an exception to that rule?

However, if you are new to chiropractic, here are 5 indications that you should definitely consider seeing a chiropractor during your pregnancy.

1. You have concerns about your baby’s positioning.

Often, women will present to a chiropractor after learning during an ultrasound that their baby is in a breech position. Between weeks 28 and 32, babies will start to turn head first into the pelvic cavity. If after 36 weeks, the baby is still bottom first, then the baby will be termed “breech”, and mother will be told to prepare for a Cesarean.

The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics reported in the July/August 2002 issue an 82% success rate of babies turning vertex when Doctors of Chiropractic performed the Webster Technique. This technique allows to relieve intrauterine constraint and may also be effective in resolving babies who present as posterior or transverse. This may mean preventing a traumatic C-section.

The Webster Technique is a very gentle technique that addresses the low back and pelvis, associated muscles, and specific ligaments such as the Round Ligament and Sacrotuberous Ligament which are almost exclusively affected during pregnancy. It helps the brain to better communicate with the muscles of the pelvic floor, and relax and align the pelvis. This in turn may allow for a less restricted space for the baby within the pelvis, allowing them to go into optimal positioning, and for a smoother delivery.

2. ANY PAIN: Rib pain, low back pain, hip pain, numbness or tingling into glutes and down legs, ankle swelling, etc!

You may have heard of friends or characters on TV complaining about these aches and pains during pregnancy. Just because they may be common does not mean they are NORMAL! After receiving regular chiropractic care, it has been found that 75% of pregnant women experience pain relief.

For example, rib pain may be associated with thoracic spine restrictions or diaphragm trigger points, and pain in the thighs may be related to dysfunction of the pubic symphysis. Chiropractors with special training in prenatal chiropractic have modified, safe techniques and methods to diagnose and treat these problem areas. Often, they will use a pregnancy pillow to accommodate a blossoming belly and to allow mom to lay comfortably face down while being treated.

Know that you do not need to suffer through discomfort during pregnancy and there is a lot that can be done to determine the cause of the pain and to treat it before it becomes a chronic issue, even after giving birth.

3. You wish to stay active during your pregnancy

Exercise during pregnancy has ALL the regular effects of exercise, such as increased cardiovascular input, improved mood, increased muscle mass and ability to use fat stores for energy requirements.

When pregnant, however, exercise also has ADDED benefits for mom, including:

• a decreased chance of a premature labor

• decreased weight gain and fat deposition

• better circulation to muscles of pelvic floor promotes better healing after labor

• decreased physical discomforts Higher energy levels

AND for baby:

• increased fetal heart rate

• decreased fetal fat without decreasing overall growth

• stimulation of sound and vibration through exercise may accelerate the development of the baby’s brain

Chiropractors with special training in pregnancy and postpartum are able to prescribe specific exercises to prepare your body for birth. This may include modifications for your favorite exercises and activities, along with specific exercises to strengthen the core, encourage proper breathing and functioning of the diaphragm, and appropriate mobility and stability throughout the chain.

Through consistent and strategic training, you will be able to empower your body and mind for a healthy pregnancy and delivery, and a smooth postpartum recovery period.

4. You are experiencing stress and anxiety.

You have a lot of big changes coming up, and a lot to prepare. We understand! It’s totally normal to feel overwhelmed. However, it is important to know that stress is related to 90% of conditions that people present to their healthcare provider for. And now, the stress you are experiencing is affecting 2 of you. Fear, stress and anxiety produce neurochemicals in your brain and body which are detrimental to your health when sustained for a long period of time. These chemicals may cross the placental barrier and have a direct effect on the fetus.

A “wellness and quality of life” study was conducted by Dr. Robert H.L. Banks, PhD, University of California College of Medicine Professor, on 2818 chiropractic patients. In this study, it was shown that chiropractic patients experienced significant “retrospectively recalled” improvements in ability to deal with mental and emotional stress, perception of health and wellness, and overall quality of life. In this study, extremely gentle chiropractic adjustments were used.

Getting adjusted can help your body better adapt to stress. Less stress means a more pleasant pregnancy and a healthier baby. Your chiropractor will also be able to provide further techniques and suggestions for lowering your stress levels, along with acting as a great resource for any pregnancy-related questions to help bring you to ease.

5. You are having troubles sleeping or need help controlling your nausea symptoms.

We have 2 types of Nervous systems that affect the functioning of our organs: the Sympathetic and the Parasympathetic Nervous System. The Sympathetic Nervous system is also nicknamed the “Fight or Flight” nervous system, while the Parasympathetic Nervous System is also nicknamed the “Rest and Digest” nervous system.

If you are having troubles with resting/sleeping, or having troubles with digesting (or feeling nauseous and vomiting), it’s probably safe to say that the “Rest and Digest” nervous system may be a piece of the puzzle, right?

Many studies have shown that chiropractic adjustments (especially of the cervical and lumbar spine) have the ability to increase the Parasympathetic response. This may explain why our adult patients often leave the office ready for a nap, or why our baby patients often leave the office with a full diaper.

Naturally, every mother wants to do everything in her capacity to bring a healthy baby into this world. It is important to remember that even if you are experiencing any of these problems, you are not failing. I mean look at you, you are a smart, prepared, problem solver who just read a whole blog post on solutions.

If you have any questions about whether you or a loved one may benefit from chiropractic before, during or after a pregnancy, please call (303) 683-9494 or email frontdesk@eastridgechiropractic.com to schedule your complimentary consultation.