October 2026: Pregnancy & Preparing for Birth
Pregnancy is one of the most remarkable periods of change the human body can experience.
As a baby grows, a mother’s center of gravity changes, the pelvis and spine adapt, muscles and ligaments experience new demands, and everyday activities that once felt effortless can suddenly feel very different.
October is a great time to focus on preparing the body for the entire journey of pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and motherhood.
This month’s theme is inspired by Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin. While every pregnancy and birth experience is different, the book encourages women to become informed participants in their birth experience and to develop confidence in their body’s ability to adapt.
At our office, we believe pregnancy is not something the body needs to “fight through.” It is a period of tremendous adaptation. The goal of pregnancy chiropractic care is to support healthy movement and function while respecting the unique needs of each mother and working alongside her prenatal healthcare team.
- Chiropractic Review
- Book Recommendation
- Podcast Recommendation
- 5 Factor Health Challenge
- Workout of the Month
- Recipe of the Month
- Specialty Events in the Office
- Family Health Spotlight
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Supporting Expectant Families in Las Vegas
1. Chiropractic Review: Helping the Body Adapt During Pregnancy
Pregnancy changes almost everything about the way a woman’s body moves.
As the abdomen grows, the center of gravity shifts. The pelvis and spine adapt. Muscles and ligaments experience different loads. Activities such as walking, sleeping, exercising, getting out of a car, or simply standing for long periods can begin to feel different.
These changes are normal.
But normal doesn’t always mean comfortable.
One of the reasons women seek a pregnancy chiropractor in Las Vegas is to help maintain comfortable, functional movement throughout these changes.
Chiropractic care during pregnancy may focus on areas such as:
- Spinal and pelvic mobility
- Low-back discomfort
- Hip and pelvic movement
- Changes in posture
- Muscle tension
- Movement patterns
- Supporting an active pregnancy
The goal isn’t to “fix” pregnancy. Pregnancy isn’t a problem to be fixed.
The goal is to help the body adapt to the physical changes that come with pregnancy while keeping care individualized to the mother and her stage of pregnancy.
That’s why qualified care, appropriate screening, individualized treatment, and communication with your prenatal provider are important.
Pregnancy is a team effort.
Your OB or midwife, chiropractor, other healthcare professionals, and (most importantly) you all have a role to play.
2. Book Recommendation
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
This month’s book recommendation is Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth.
The book brings together birth stories, education, and perspectives on the physical and emotional experience of labor and delivery.
One of its most important themes is confidence.
Birth can be unpredictable, and every woman deserves to make informed decisions based on her individual circumstances. Becoming educated about pregnancy and birth can help replace some of the uncertainty with preparation.
Health connection for October:
Preparation doesn’t mean trying to control every part of the birth experience.
Instead, it means preparing your body, learning about your options, surrounding yourself with a supportive team, and understanding how to listen to your body throughout pregnancy.
A healthy pregnancy isn’t about doing everything perfectly.
It’s about building a strong support system and giving your body the resources it needs to adapt.
3. 🎧 Podcast: Happy Homebirth – Episode 162: Homebirth and Chiropractic Wisdom from Dr. Courtney Kahla
Recommended Listen: The February 27, 2022 episode of Happy Homebirth
For this month’s podcast recommendation, we’re sharing Episode 162 of Happy Homebirth, featuring Dr. Courtney Kahla, a nervous-system-centered chiropractor who specializes in working with families.
What makes this episode especially valuable is that the conversation goes beyond preparing for birth physically. Dr. Courtney shares her own homebirth experience and talks openly about the emotional and mental preparation that became just as important as the physical preparation. Her story is a powerful reminder that birth preparation is about knowing what you want to happen and developing the awareness, confidence, and support to navigate the unexpected.
The episode also includes a thoughtful discussion about chiropractic care during pregnancy and the importance of choosing a care team that respects your goals and allows you to be an active participant in your own care.
Whether you’re planning a homebirth, birth-center birth, or hospital birth, there are lessons here that can apply to any pregnancy: prepare your body, understand your options, build a supportive team, and develop trust in yourself while remaining open to the guidance of the professionals caring for you.
🎙️ Apple Podcasts | Spotify
4. October 5-Factor Health Challenge: Prepare, Don’t Perfect
This month’s challenge is about preparing your body and mind for the demands of pregnancy and motherhood.
Eat
Add one additional serving of whole-food fruits or vegetables to your day.
Sleep
Create a consistent nighttime routine and give yourself permission to prioritize rest.
Train
Spend 10–20 minutes each day moving in a way that feels appropriate for your stage of pregnancy and has been cleared by your healthcare provider.
Walking, mobility work, swimming, and pregnancy-appropriate strength training can all be options depending on the individual.
Think
Spend five minutes each day practicing slow, relaxed breathing.
Rather than trying to eliminate every thought, simply notice your breathing and allow your body to settle.
Connect
Talk with someone on your birth or support team each week about how you’re feeling and what you need.
Pregnancy isn’t meant to be navigated alone.
5. 📅 Workout of the Month: 15-Minute Pregnancy Movement Flow
Important: Pregnancy exercise should be individualized. If you are pregnant, discuss exercise with your prenatal healthcare provider and modify or stop activity based on your provider’s recommendations and your symptoms.
This month’s movement session is intentionally simple and low-impact.
Complete 3 rounds at a comfortable pace:
- 10 Sit-to-Stands from a chair
- 10 Supported Reverse Lunges per side
- 10 Wall Push-Ups
- 10 Standing Hip Abductions per side
- 30 Seconds of Gentle Marching
- 5 Slow, Comfortable Breaths
Focus on smooth movement rather than intensity.
The goal is to maintain strength, mobility, balance, and confidence, not to set a personal record.
For women who are already active, pregnancy doesn’t necessarily mean stopping movement. It often means adapting how you move to the changing demands of your body.
6. Recipe of the Month: Chicken, Sweet Potato & Avocado Bowls
Pregnancy is a time when nutrient-dense foods can be especially valuable. This simple meal provides protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats, and vegetables without requiring complicated preparation.
Ingredients
- Chicken breast or thighs
- Sweet potatoes
- Avocado
- Spinach or mixed greens
- Bell peppers
- Olive oil
- Fresh lime
- Garlic
- Salt and pepper
- Optional fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Cut sweet potatoes into cubes and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Roast for approximately 25–30 minutes or until tender.
- Season and cook the chicken thoroughly.
- Sauté bell peppers until tender.
- Build bowls with greens, sweet potatoes, chicken, peppers, and avocado.
- Finish with fresh lime and cilantro.
Pregnancy note: Follow your prenatal provider’s recommendations regarding food safety, including thoroughly cooking meats and choosing appropriately prepared ingredients.
Simple food. Real ingredients. Easy preparation.
7. Specialty Events in the Office
October 3, 2026: Power Hour 9am-10am
October 6, 2026: Better Results Faster Workshop 6pm
October 13, 2026: Unraveling Neurodevelopmental Disorders Workshop 6pm
October 17, 2026: Power Hour 9am-10am
October 22, 2026: Better Results Faster Workshop 12pm
October 31, 2026: Power Hour 9am-10am
8. Family Health Spotlight: Pregnancy Chiropractic Care
Pregnancy is a time of extraordinary physical adaptation.
As the baby grows, the mother’s body continually changes to accommodate that growth. Her center of gravity shifts, her posture may change, and the pelvis, hips, spine, and surrounding muscles experience new demands.
These changes can contribute to common complaints such as low-back discomfort, pelvic discomfort, hip tension, or sciatic-type symptoms.
For women looking for a prenatal chiropractor in Las Vegas, the goal should be more than simply addressing discomfort.
A good prenatal care plan should consider the entire person: her stage of pregnancy, activity level, previous injuries, current symptoms, goals, and communication with her prenatal healthcare team.
Pelvic Balance and Movement
The pelvis is designed to move.
During pregnancy, the pelvis and surrounding structures adapt as the body prepares for childbirth and accommodates the growing baby.
Rather than thinking about the pelvis as something that must be forced into a particular position, chiropractic care can focus on identifying areas of restricted or altered movement and supporting comfortable, functional motion.
Every woman’s body is different.
That means there is no single “perfect” pelvic position or one technique that should be used for every pregnant woman.
Low-Back Pain During Pregnancy
Low-back discomfort is common during pregnancy.
Changes in body weight distribution, posture, activity, muscle loading, and joint mobility can all contribute.
A comprehensive approach may include:
- Appropriate movement
- Strengthening
- Mobility work
- Ergonomic modifications
- Sleep-position strategies
- Chiropractic care when appropriate
- Coordination with the prenatal care team
Sciatica During Pregnancy
Sciatic-type symptoms may include pain, tingling, or discomfort that travels from the low back or buttock into the leg.
Pregnancy-related changes can alter how the hips, pelvis, and low back move and load.
If symptoms are severe, persistent, associated with weakness or numbness, or accompanied by other concerning symptoms, medical evaluation is important.
A pregnancy chiropractor in Las Vegas should first determine whether the complaint is appropriate for chiropractic care or whether referral to another healthcare professional is warranted.
Round Ligament Pain
Round ligament pain can occur as the ligaments supporting the uterus stretch during pregnancy.
It may feel like a sharp, pulling, or aching sensation, particularly with sudden movements.
Because abdominal or pelvic pain during pregnancy can have many causes, it should not automatically be assumed to be musculoskeletal.
If you experience new, severe, persistent, or concerning pain during pregnancy, contact your prenatal healthcare provider.
Preparing for Labor
Preparing for birth involves much more than one treatment or technique.
Preparation can include:
- Staying active when medically appropriate
- Maintaining strength and mobility
- Learning about labor
- Practicing breathing and relaxation
- Preparing your birth support team
- Discussing birth preferences with your provider
- Understanding when to seek medical care
Physical preparation and education can help women feel more confident entering labor, while recognizing that birth itself cannot always be predicted or controlled.
What Is the Webster Technique?
The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic technique commonly associated with care for pregnant women.
It is designed to address sacral/pelvic biomechanics and surrounding soft-tissue tension with the goal of improving pelvic function.
One important distinction is worth making:
The Webster Technique should not be described as a technique that directly turns a breech baby.
It is a chiropractic technique intended to address maternal pelvic and related musculoskeletal function. Claims about using it to guarantee fetal repositioning or a particular birth outcome go beyond what can responsibly be concluded from the available evidence.
If an expectant mother is interested in Webster Technique care, she should choose a chiropractor who has appropriate training and discuss her individual circumstances with her prenatal provider.
9. Frequently Asked Questions
Is chiropractic safe during pregnancy?
Pregnancy chiropractic care should be individualized and provided by someone appropriately trained to work with pregnant patients. Our chiropractors consider your medical history, current symptoms, stage of pregnancy, and communication with your prenatal healthcare provider.
When should pregnant women begin chiropractic care?
There is no universal week of pregnancy when chiropractic care should begin.
Some women seek care during the first trimester, while others begin when physical changes become more noticeable later in pregnancy. Some seek care for a specific complaint, while others want support for maintaining comfortable movement throughout pregnancy.
The appropriate timing depends on the individual woman, her health history, pregnancy, symptoms, and goals.
Can chiropractic help pelvic pain?
Pelvic discomfort during pregnancy can have many causes.
Chiropractic care may be one component of a broader approach to musculoskeletal pelvic discomfort, particularly when changes in movement or joint function are contributing.
However, pelvic or abdominal pain during pregnancy should not automatically be assumed to be musculoskeletal. New, severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms should be discussed with your prenatal healthcare provider.
What is the Webster Technique?
The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic technique intended to address sacral and pelvic biomechanics and associated soft-tissue tension during pregnancy.
Every chiropractor at Anchor Chiropractic has training in the Webster Technique.
Can chiropractic help prepare for labor?
Chiropractic care can be part of a broader prenatal wellness plan focused on comfortable movement, mobility, and musculoskeletal function.
Preparing for labor involves many factors, including physical activity when appropriate, education, nutrition, sleep, emotional support, prenatal care, and the individual circumstances of the pregnancy.
10. Supporting Expectant Families in Las Vegas
Pregnancy is a journey that changes from week to week.
At our office, we believe expectant mothers deserve care that recognizes those changes and adapts accordingly.
As a family chiropractor in Las Vegas, we provide care for families through many stages of life including pregnancy, postpartum recovery, childhood, athletic development, and beyond.
For women searching for a pregnancy chiropractor in Las Vegas, prenatal chiropractor, or information about pregnancy chiropractic care, our goal is to provide individualized care and education while respecting the role of your OB, midwife, and other members of your healthcare team.
We believe prenatal wellness is about more than managing discomfort.
It is about helping mothers stay active when appropriate, move comfortably, prepare for the physical demands of birth and motherhood, and build healthy habits that can continue after their baby arrives.
Pregnancy doesn’t require perfection.
It requires adaptation.
Final Thought
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