This blog post was written by Doulas of Utah for Salt Lake Spine & Pelvis
Pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period are some of the most physically and emotionally demanding experiences in a person’s life. As the body undergoes immense changes, it’s essential to have a comprehensive support team to guide the process—not just for a smoother birth, but for long-term wellness.
This is where birth and postpartum doulas and chiropractors, like Dr. Marnie of Salt Lake Spine and Pelvis, form the perfect partnership. While chiropractic care focuses on alignment, mobility, and nervous system balance, doulas provide emotional, physical, and informational support to ensure parents feel empowered, comfortable, and well cared for.
When these two professions work together, they provide holistic, whole-body support that leads to more positive birth outcomes, smoother recoveries, and an overall better experience for both parents and babies.
Birth Doulas & Chiropractors: Supporting a Balanced Pregnancy and Birth
A body that is structurally aligned and well-supported is more likely to experience a smoother pregnancy, an easier labor, and an optimal fetal position for birth. Chiropractic care and doula support work hand-in-hand to prepare both the body and mind for labor and birth.
Chiropractic Benefits During Pregnancy
Prenatal chiropractic care focuses on keeping the spine, pelvis, and nervous system in alignment. This can lead to:
Improved fetal positioning: A properly aligned pelvis allows the baby to engage in an optimal position for birth, reducing the chances of breech or posterior positioning.
Reduced discomfort and pain: Pregnancy can cause misalignments that lead to back pain, pelvic pain, and sciatica—chiropractic care can relieve these discomforts.
Shorter, smoother labor: Studies suggest that those who receive regular chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy experience shorter labors and reduced need for interventions.
Balanced nervous system for hormonal regulation: A well-functioning nervous system supports hormonal balance, which is crucial for labor progression and postpartum recovery.
How Birth Doulas Complement Chiropractic Care
While chiropractors address physical alignment, doulas provide the emotional, physical, and informational support that parents need for a calm and empowering birth.
During pregnancy, doulas help with:
Birth preparation: Educating parents on comfort techniques, birth preferences, and labor positions that align with chiropractic recommendations.
Pain management strategies: Teaching hands-on comfort measures like counterpressure, rebozo techniques, and optimal positioning.
Emotional reassurance: Helping parents navigate any fears or uncertainties about labor.
During labor, doulas support by:
Encouraging movement and positions that support spinal and pelvic alignment.
Providing hands-on comfort through massage, hip squeezes, and counterpressure—enhancing the benefits of chiropractic adjustments.
Helping parents trust their bodies and remain calm, reducing tension that could interfere with labor progress.
Postpartum Doulas & Chiropractors: Healing After Birth
The postpartum period is often underestimated in terms of how much support the body needs to recover. Birth, whether vaginal or cesarean, puts immense stress on the spine, pelvis, and nervous system, often leading to lingering pain, postural imbalances, and weakened core muscles.
How Chiropractic Care Helps in Postpartum Recovery
After birth, chiropractic care focuses on restoring balance and supporting healing, including:
Pelvic alignment restoration: Pregnancy and birth can cause pelvic misalignment, leading to hip pain, lower back pain, and core weakness. Adjustments help restore function.
Easing postpartum discomfort: Neck, shoulder, and back pain are common due to breastfeeding, babywearing, and sleep deprivation—chiropractic adjustments relieve strain.
Nervous system regulation: Supporting the body’s ability to recover from birth stress, reducing postpartum mood fluctuations and fatigue.
Better postpartum mobility: Helping parents move more comfortably and confidently as they recover.
How Postpartum Doulas Complement Chiropractic Care
Postpartum doulas provide the day-to-day, hands-on support that parents need for a smooth and supported transition into parenthood.
Postpartum doulas help by:
Assisting with newborn care so parents can rest and recover.
Encouraging postpartum-friendly movement that aligns with chiropractic recommendations.
Providing emotional support and helping parents process their birth experience.
Offering lactation and feeding support, ensuring parents are in comfortable and aligned positions while feeding their baby.
Helping clients and infants get better quality and more quantity of sleep by offering overnight care, newborn soothing techniques, and sleep education—ensuring both parent and baby feel well-rested and supported.
Together, chiropractic care and postpartum doula support ensure parents heal more efficiently and with less pain, both physically and emotionally.
A Holistic Approach to Family Wellness
Birth and postpartum aren’t just about getting through the experience—they’re about thriving in the process. The combination of chiropractic care and doula support creates a well-rounded, holistic approach that ensures parents:
Experience a healthier, more comfortable pregnancy Are well-supported emotionally and physically during labor Recover more smoothly postpartum Have the tools and knowledge to care for their bodies long-term
At Salt Lake Spine and Pelvis, Dr. Marnie provides the structural and nervous system support that is essential for optimal pregnancy, birth, and recovery. At Doulas of Utah, our birth and postpartum doulas offer the emotional, informational, and physical support that helps parents feel confident and empowered in their journey.
When we work together, families receive the best of both worlds—chiropractic care for a strong, aligned body and doula support for an empowered mind and heart.
If you’re pregnant or newly postpartum, we encourage you to explore how chiropractic care and doula support can transform your journey into parenthood.
Together, we’re here to nurture, align, and empower you—every step of the way.
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