Prenatal Chiropractic Care

Pregnancy Chiropractor Grand Rapids

Your body changes every week during pregnancy. Chiropractic care keeps your pelvis aligned, reduces low back pressure, and helps your body prepare for a smoother delivery. Our doctors use pregnancy-safe techniques with specialized positioning so you stay comfortable at every stage.

Pregnancy-Safe TechniquesAll three trimestersPostpartum recovery

Schedule Prenatal Care Call (616) 432-3103

New Patient Special

$47

Complimentary Consultation

Weeks 1 through 12

First Trimester Care

The first trimester is when hormonal changes begin loosening your ligaments to prepare for delivery. This increased flexibility sounds helpful, but it also makes your spine and pelvis less stable. Many women in Grand Rapids notice low back tightness, fatigue, and nausea during these early weeks.

Starting chiropractic care early sets a strong foundation. Our doctors assess your spinal alignment, identify any existing imbalances, and begin gentle corrections before your center of gravity shifts. This proactive approach helps your body adapt more smoothly as your baby grows. Patients from Cascade, Ada, and Forest Hills tell us they feel more balanced and less fatigued when they begin care in the first trimester.

Weeks 13 through 27

Second Trimester Adjustments

The second trimester is when your belly grows noticeably and your center of gravity starts shifting forward. This pulls the lower spine into a deeper curve, increases pressure on the sacroiliac joints, and often triggers sciatica or round ligament pain. Many patients describe a dull ache in the lower back that gets worse after sitting or standing for long periods.

Our doctors use pregnancy-specific tables with drop-away sections so you never lie flat on your stomach. The adjustments focus on keeping your pelvis level and reducing tension in the muscles and ligaments that support your growing uterus. Patients at our 28th Street SE office consistently report less hip pain, better sleep, and more comfortable movement through the middle months.

This is also a good time to pair chiropractic care with prenatal massage therapy for additional relief from muscle tension and swelling.

Weeks 28 through 40

Third Trimester and Birth Preparation

The final trimester is when your body starts preparing for labor. Pelvic alignment becomes especially important now. A balanced pelvis gives your baby the most room to move into the optimal head-down, anterior position for delivery. Many OB-GYNs and midwives in Grand Rapids refer patients for third-trimester chiropractic care for exactly this reason.

Our doctors see many third-trimester patients weekly to maintain pelvic balance and manage the increased weight on the lower spine. Pregnancy-safe adjustments are most commonly applied during this stage. Patients from Kentwood, Wyoming, and the greater Grand Rapids area report shorter labor times, less back labor, and greater overall comfort when they stay consistent with care through the final weeks.

Specialized Prenatal Technique

Prenatal Pelvic Alignment

Our doctors use a gentle sacral analysis and adjustment approach developed for pregnant women. It focuses on reducing sacral subluxation and restoring proper function to the pelvic joints and surrounding soft tissues. When the pelvis is balanced, the uterine ligaments relax, giving your baby more room to settle into the best position for birth.

The approach involves a gentle, sustained contact on the sacrum combined with soft tissue work on the round ligaments. It is not a breech-turning procedure. Instead, it removes the structural interference that may prevent a baby from turning on its own.

Why Midwives and OBs Refer Patients to Us

Restores proper pelvic alignment and balance
Reduces tension in round ligaments and uterine muscles
Creates optimal space for baby positioning
Supports shorter, more comfortable labor
Non-invasive and gentle throughout pregnancy

After Delivery

Postpartum Recovery

Your body does not snap back immediately after delivery. The ligaments that loosened during pregnancy take months to fully tighten. Add in the new demands of nursing, carrying your baby, and disrupted sleep, and postpartum spinal stress is almost universal. New mothers across Grand Rapids commonly experience upper back pain between the shoulder blades, neck stiffness, and lingering pelvic discomfort.

Our doctors help new mothers restore pelvic alignment, address upper back and neck tension from nursing posture, and rebuild stability in the core and lower spine. Many postpartum patients also benefit from regular chiropractic adjustments paired with guided rehabilitation exercises. Once you are ready, bring your newborn along for a gentle infant evaluation during your own appointment. Prenatal and postpartum care are part of our broader family wellness center approach that supports every stage of life.

Expecting Mothers Ask

Pregnancy Chiropractic FAQ

Is chiropractic care safe during pregnancy?

Yes. Prenatal chiropractic is safe throughout all three trimesters when performed by a trained provider. Our doctors use specialized tables and positioning that keep pressure off your belly. There is no face-down lying at any point. The techniques are gentle and specifically adapted for pregnant patients.

What makes an adjustment safe during pregnancy?

Pregnancy-safe chiropractic care uses specialized tables and gentle sacral and pelvic techniques instead of standard adjustments. The goal is to restore proper pelvic alignment and balance, which can reduce tension in the surrounding ligaments and muscles, without any pressure on your belly or face-down positioning.

When should I start seeing a chiropractor during pregnancy?

You can start at any point during pregnancy. Many patients in Grand Rapids begin care during the first trimester to stay ahead of the postural changes that come with each stage. Others start in the second or third trimester when discomfort becomes more noticeable. Call (616) 432-3103 to schedule your first visit.

How often should I get adjusted while pregnant?

Visit frequency depends on your symptoms and stage of pregnancy. Many patients come in once or twice per month during the first and second trimesters, then weekly during the third trimester as the body prepares for delivery. Dr. Phinney or Dr. Papes will recommend a schedule based on your needs.

Can chiropractic care help with breech presentation?

Balancing the pelvis and reducing tension in the round ligaments can create more room for the baby to move into the ideal head-down position on its own. It is not a breech-turning procedure, but many patients find it supportive alongside the guidance of their midwife or OB-GYN.

Do you offer postpartum chiropractic care?

Yes. The postpartum period places new demands on your body, from nursing posture to carrying your baby. Our doctors help new mothers in Cascade, Forest Hills, and Kentwood recover spinal alignment, reduce upper back tension, and rebuild core stability after delivery.

Related Services

Comfort Through Every Trimester

Your body is doing amazing work. Let us help it feel better.

Three doctors, 35+ years of experience, and 474 Google reviews. The Chiropractic Doctors have been caring for Grand Rapids families through every stage of life.

Schedule Your $47 Prenatal Visit Call (616) 432-3103

5747 28th Street Southeast, Grand Rapids, MI 49546