Pregnancy is a time of incredible change, not just emotionally and hormonally, but physically. As your baby grows, your body adjusts to carry the extra weight and prepare for delivery. And one of the areas most impacted by these changes? Your spine.
At Re-LAX Chiropractic + Wellness, we work with many pregnant women who come to us with low back pain, hip tension, sciatica, or stiffness they didn’t have before. These symptoms aren’t “just part of being pregnant”, they’re often the result of structural shifts in the spine and pelvis.
Let’s break down how pregnancy affects your spine, trimester by trimester, and how chiropractic care can help you feel more supported throughout the journey.
First Trimester: Hormonal Changes and Early Instability
During the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, your body starts producing a hormone called relaxin, which helps loosen the ligaments in your pelvis to prepare for childbirth. But this early loosening can also reduce joint stability, especially in the lower back and hips.
Common spinal-related symptoms in the first trimester:
Mild low back or sacral discomfort
Fatigue and posture changes due to bloating
Stiff neck or shoulder tension (from hormonal headaches or sleep position shifts)
Even if your baby bump isn’t showing yet, your spine is already adapting.
Second Trimester: The Curve Begins
As your belly grows, your center of gravity shifts forward. To compensate, many women develop more of an exaggerated lower back curve, a condition called lordosis.
This change puts more pressure on:
The lumbar spine (low back)
The sacroiliac joints (where the spine meets the pelvis)
The mid-back and upper back, especially if you’re compensating by slouching or leaning back
You may begin to notice:
Low back aches, especially at the end of the day
Hip or groin tension
Mid-back stiffness
Round ligament pain
It’s also common for women to experience sciatica, sharp, shooting pain down the leg caused by nerve compression.
Third Trimester: Maximum Pressure, Minimum Space
By the third trimester, the baby is significantly heavier, and the spine is under more strain than ever. The pelvis continues to widen, the abdominal muscles are stretched, and the back muscles are often overcompensating to keep you upright.
You might feel:
Pelvic girdle pain
More intense low back pain
Numbness or tingling in the legs
Upper back tension from breast changes and posture shifts
Difficulty sleeping or walking
This is when many women feel like their body is “falling apart.” But the discomfort isn’t just because of the baby, it’s because your musculoskeletal system is under extreme demand.
How Chiropractic Care Supports a Healthier Pregnancy
Chiropractic care during pregnancy is not only safe, it’s highly beneficial when performed by a trained provider. At Re-LAX Chiropractic + Wellness, we use gentle techniques tailored for expectant mothers, focusing on pelvic alignment, spinal mobility, and nervous system support.
Here’s how we help:
✅ Webster Technique: A specific, pregnancy-safe method used to reduce tension in the pelvis and support optimal baby positioning.
✅ Gentle Adjustments: Alleviate pressure on the spine, hips, and nerves without twisting or force.
✅ Posture Support: We guide you on how to move, sit, and sleep better during pregnancy.
✅ Active Release Technique (ART): Helps release tight muscles around the hips, lower back, and glutes that may be compensating.
Our care helps reduce:
Pain and stiffness
Nerve compression
Labor complications associated with pelvic misalignment
Final Thoughts
Pregnancy is a beautiful journey, but it shouldn’t be painful or exhausting for your spine. Supporting your structure now can make a huge difference in how you feel both during and after birth.
You don’t have to wait until you’re in severe pain to seek help. Whether you’re in your first trimester or just weeks away from delivery, chiropractic care can help you move better, sleep better, and prepare your body for a smoother labor.
📍 Visit Us:
Re-LAX Chiropractic + Wellness
8929 South Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 100
Los Angeles, CA 90045
🌐 https://re-laxchiropractic.com
✅ Want to feel better during pregnancy?
Ask a Re-LAX staff member about prenatal chiropractic care and schedule a consultation today. You’re in good hands.