Allison Union, John Edwards, DC, DACCP, Joel Alcantara, DC
Objective: To determine the results of fetal heart rate (FHR) testing of pregnant women under concurrent chiropractic and midwifery care.
Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patient files for women under concurrent chiropractic and midwifery care during pregnancy. In addition to socio-demographic and pregnancy status data, inclusion criteria for file review were: the patient received chiropractic adjustments and FHR monitoring was performed. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: We found 6 women in the 1st trimester (mean weeks gestation (MWG)=12.4; 0.58) meeting our inclusion criteria. The mean FHR was 150 beats per minute (bpm) (SD=6.32). Fourteen women were in their 2nd trimester (MWG=22.03; SD=3.59) with mean FHR at 143.71 bpm (SD=5.98). A total of 33 women were monitored in their 3rd trimester (MWG=35.75; SD=3.37) with mean FHR at 140.30 bpm (SD=8.48). All FHR findings were within normal limits (i.e., 100-160 bpm) with decreasing trends with gestation. On average the women were attending chiropractic appointments 19.76 (SD=11.56) before delivering.
Conclusion: The use of spinal/pelvic adjustments during pregnancy did not result in adverse outcomes for the fetus as monitored with FHR.
Highlight of Study
Presente at ACC-RAC 2019: Baltimore, MD Mar 14-16, 2019
