Pelvic balance probably isn’t something you think about every day, but here at Spinning Babies®, this is at the heart of our work. So, why should you care? Because an aligned pelvis and uterus give your baby more room to get into an ideal position. That may make your pregnancy more comfortable and prepare you for an easier childbirth. After birth, pelvic imbalance may cause pelvic or hip pain, lead to urinary incontinence, and decrease your ability to orgasm. So let’s get your pelvis balanced and happy!
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Here are some clues that you may have a pelvic or uterine imbalance — then we’ll talk about what to do about it:
- Discomfort in pregnancy
- Previous labor longer than 24-48 hours
- Fetal malposition
- Previously tipped uterus
- Previous car accident, or other sudden stops in gravity, even if mild
- Sport or work movement that twists and stops (like softball or golf)
- Your work includes twisting and lifting or other “sudden stops,” i.e. throwing hay bales or turning to adjust or lift patients
A pelvic imbalance may or may not be a big deal in labor, but since pelvic instability issues flare up in pregnancy, let’s address this pain now with self-care and bodywork. Here are some simple tips:
- Walk daily (work your way up to 3 miles)
- Wear a pregnancy belt
- Balance your calcium magnesium levels
- Sit up on the front of your sitz bones (tuberosities)
- Sit on a exercise ball that keeps your hips level or higher than your knees, but not much higher. Be sure it is inflated fully
- Move in alignment
- Wear a small-heeled shoe, supportive flat, or negative heel
- Don’t wear a bra; or, if you must wear a bra buy a bra that’s two sizes too big around the rib cage (muscles in the back and your diaphragm affect your pelvis, too)
If you need further balancing, try the Forward-leaning Inversion, Standing Sacral Release, and Side-lying Release learned from Carol Phillips, DC. These are also great when combined with chiropractic work.
