Supporting Comfort and Pelvic Health in Late Pregnancy: Tools for Your Birth Journey

Pregnancy is a remarkable and transformative journey, but it also brings understandable physical changes. As your body adapts to support your growing baby, you may notice new sensations - from tightness in the pelvis to changes in posture, movement and breathing. The good news is that there are many gentle, natural tools that can support your comfort in late pregnancy.

At Connected Chiropractic, our Doctors of Chiropractic work with many expectant parents seeking ways to stay mobile, calm and connected to their bodies as they prepare for birth.

This blog explores simple comfort strategies inspired by The Fearless Birth Book, alongside evidence-informed insights into how chiropractic care may help support pelvic balance and overall wellbeing throughout pregnancy.

Relaxation as a Foundation - “Floppy Face, Floppy Pelvic Floor”

One of the most talked-about comfort techniques in antenatal education is the idea that when the jaw softens, the pelvic floor may relax too. Many people notice a natural connection between tension in the face and tension in the pelvis.

By consciously relaxing your jaw, softening your shoulders and allowing your breath to flow, you may help create more ease in the muscles surrounding the pelvis. This can support a sense of calm and may help your body work with contractions rather than against them when the time comes.

Chiropractic care in late pregnancy often includes gentle techniques to support relaxation of the surrounding muscles and joints. While chiropractic care is not a treatment for labour itself, many patients report feeling more comfortable and at ease in their bodies as they approach birth.

Breathwork - A Simple, Powerful Tool for Labour and Beyond

Deep, rhythmic breathing is one of the most accessible comfort measures available during pregnancy and labour. Slow inhalations through the nose and long exhalations through the mouth can help reduce tension and support your ability to stay present.

Research has shown that controlled breathing can support relaxation and help manage the perception of intensity during labour by activating the body’s parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) system (Liu et al., 2022).

Chiropractic appointments often include discussions about posture, rib mobility and breathing mechanics. Ensuring the spine and ribcage move well may help make deeper, calmer breathing feel more natural.

Movement - Staying Mobile for Comfort and Optimal Positioning

Gentle movement in late pregnancy - such as walking, swaying, rocking, or shifting between upright positions - can help improve circulation and support your body’s ability to adapt to changing demands.

Movement can also play a role in optimising your baby’s position for labour. Upright, forward-leaning and side-lying positions may help create space in the pelvis, which can contribute to a smoother birthing experience.

Chiropractic care is often sought during late pregnancy to support pelvic alignment and mobility. While research does not claim chiropractic care can guarantee specific birth outcomes, studies do suggest that chiropractic adjustments can help improve pelvic biomechanics, lumbopelvic function and mobility, which may contribute to maternal comfort (Browning et al., 2021; Peterson et al., 2016).

Patients commonly report that regular chiropractic care helps them stay more comfortable, particularly when managing common complaints such as low back or pelvic girdle discomfort.

How Chiropractic Care May Support Pelvic Comfort in Late Pregnancy

Our Doctors of Chiropractic assess how your spine, pelvis and surrounding soft tissues are moving, then use gentle, pregnancy-adapted techniques to support balance and mobility. This approach is centred around helping your body function at its best as it prepares for labour.

Research exploring chiropractic care during pregnancy indicates:

• Chiropractic adjustments may improve pelvic and lumbar joint function, which can support comfort (Browning et al., 2021).

• Spinal and pelvic adjustments have been associated with improved neuromuscular control, which may influence how the body adapts to physical changes in pregnancy (Haavik & Murphy, 2012).

• Chiropractic care for pregnancy-related low back and pelvic pain has been associated with patient-reported improvements, although results vary and more research is needed (Stuber et al., 2012).

  
  

While every pregnancy is unique, many patients tell us that a combination of chiropractic care, breathwork, movement and relaxation helps them feel more supported and connected as they approach birth.

Creating Your Own Comfort Toolkit

Every labour is different, and every parent’s needs are unique. Building a personalised comfort toolkit can help you feel more confident and prepared. Consider combining:

• Gentle breathwork

• Relaxation and jaw-softening techniques

• Upright, flexible movement

• Comfort measures suggested by your midwife or antenatal educator

• Chiropractic care to support mobility and balance

Together, they can form a calm, empowering approach to supporting your body in late pregnancy and beyond.

When to Seek Advice

If you are experiencing discomfort, uncertainty about your pelvic position, or changes in movement, it’s always best to speak with your midwife, GP or other healthcare professional. Chiropractic care can complement, but not replace, your maternity care.

Our team is always happy to discuss whether chiropractic may be suitable for your needs and how we can work alongside your existing support network.

References

• Browning, R., Miller, J., & Haavik, H. (2021). The effects of chiropractic care on strength, balance and pelvic function. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies.

• Haavik, H., & Murphy, B. (2012). The role of spinal manipulation in influencing neuroplastic changes in sensorimotor integration. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology.

• Peterson, C. K., Humphreys, B. K., & Keller, T. S. (2016). Impact of spinal manipulation on pelvic and spinal biomechanics. Chiropractic & Manual Therapies.

• Stuber, K., et al. (2012). Chiropractic treatment of pregnancy-related back pain: A systematic review. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics.

• Liu, X. et al. (2022). Breathing techniques for pain management in labour: A systematic review. Women and Birth.