Blog Layout

Does My C-Section Baby Need To Be Checked By a Chiropractor?

Sep 28, 2021

You've just given birth to the perfect baby via cesarean section. Maybe you're wondering, how does my child's birth affect them differently than a vaginal birth?


First of all, congratulate yourself on giving life to a new baby! This is a wonderful, powerful thing to experience. Many mothers may experience a feeling of failure or shame that they "failed" their baby by having a c-section birth. This feeling is natural but completely unwarranted. Birthing a healthy baby by any means is a huge accomplishment.


Now that being said, there are important differences that your baby experienced during the birthing process. As a baby travels through the birth canal and takes it's first breath, it initiates numerous neurological events called 'primitive reflexes'. These are inborn involuntary responses that allow for survival and growth of a newborn. These include how baby knows how to suckle a breast, push itself up towards the breast, and blink in response to stimulus.


If a baby does not have a vaginal birth, it may mean these inborn reflexes aren't stimulated and will not appear as they should. This is why it is CRUCIAL to have your newborn seen by a pediatric chiropractor. At Thrive Family Chiropractic we have specific training to asses these reflexes and what they mean for your baby's development of basic brain functions and motor skills. These reflexes are eventually inhibited by 4 to 6 months of age as the brain matures and replaces them with their own voluntary motor movements. However, these primitive reflexes may return with the presence of trauma or neurological imbalance. They can be noticed from something seemingly minor, like being slow to crawl, to something more severe, like a head injury or fall. The earlier your new baby get's checked (before the 6 month mark), the better chances they have of developing strong mental and physical resiliency. These reflexes remain in their brains as a step ladder to further develop their brains and bodies into adulthood.


Common symptoms seen in children with retained or improper reflexes are:



An easy way to assess as a parent if your child needs to be seen by Thrive Family Chiropractic:


Missing or skipping milestones (rolling over, tummy time, crawling before walking), slow development, restlessness, trouble feeding, irritability, not grasping, and more. Take the time to get your children checked! Birth is the start of their whole life and there are so many ways to improve that life with chiropractic care.

shoulder pain, chiropractor shoulder
By thrivefamchiro 27 Feb, 2024
Shoulder pain can be a debilitating issue that affects daily life activities. From reaching high up in the cupboard, to holding your baby, to enjoying your favorite sports activities. Chronic shoulder pain can really impact your quality of life. Options to address shoulder pain are limited. Drugs, PT, home exercise, or surgery can be the only things offered to you. However, at Thrive Family Chiropractic we can offer a more comprehensive approach to your shoulder health and longevity. There are 2 main joints that create the shoulder joint. The AC joint, which connects the scapula to the clavicle, and the GH (glenohumeral) joint that connects the humerus to the scapula. Being that the shoulder is the most mobile joint in our body, it can fall victim to mobility problems. Shoulder pain and dysfunction can be caused by numerous things, which is why a skilled chiropractor is your best advocate. Common causes of shoulder problems: - Nerve impingement in the neck - Arthritis - Muscle imbalances - Poor posture - Repetitive trauma - Incorrect breathing - Weakness - Trauma This is why we take a comprehensive approach to shoulder problems. We check the mobility of each joint, the muscles that attach to them, the nerve that innervates the shoulder, posture, breathing, muscle strengths and weaknesses, etc. We’ll then adjust the problem area and create stability so your shoulder can work better without pain. It is hugely beneficial to meet with a chiropractor before going down the path of pain medications, surgery, or chronic pain! If you’re having a shoulder problem - no matter the cause, try our approach to building strong shoulder health!
breathing, chiropractic, rib pain
By thrivefamchiro 06 Feb, 2024
Chiropractic Improves Breathing
pelvic floor, postpartum chiropractor, pregnancy chiropractor, pediatric chiropractor
By thrivefamchiro 17 Oct, 2023
The Pelvic Floor Can Seem Like A Mystery. What Is It And What Does It Do?
postpartum chiropractic, prenatal chiropractic
08 Aug, 2023
Where To Start With Your Postpartum Exercising:
plagiocephaly, pediatric chiropractor
By Victoria Alberty 26 May, 2023
This is a subtitle for your new post
prenatal chiropractor, postpartum chiropractor, pediatric chiropractor
By thrivefamchiro 11 May, 2023
Mother: The Modern Superhero
short leg, chiropractor, posture
11 Apr, 2023
short leg, chiropractor, posture
By thrivefamchiro 05 Jan, 2023
At Thrive Family Chiropractic we are on a mission to serve moms, kids, and families. That all starts with pregnancy and birth. Over the years, we've had many mothers enter our doors. Some have had particularly incredible stories to share. Here is a look into our office and the success stories we've had. One young woman had been married for 6 years and had never gotten pregnant. They weren't "trying" but they weren't not trying either. She came to us after her husband had started care for back pain. She was a stud athlete snowboarder also with back pain. When she learned what we do here, she was intrigued - yet skeptical. So we adjusted her for 3 months. They went on a family fishing trip and came back with a surprise. A positive pregnancy test! The only thing she had changed was starting chiropractic care. Now she has a healthy 3 month old baby boy. Another mom, this one in her mid forties was pregnant with her 3rd baby. She hadn't been pregnant for over 6 years and this pregnancy was knocking her off her feet. With 3 kids at home, working a stressful job, and not prepared mentally, physically, or emotionally for another pregnancy. She needed help and support. Her back hurt, she was puffy, she had sciatica, and headaches...all happening at only 3 months in. She started care and within 1 month she was feeling better than she did before becoming pregnant. Sleeping better, no pain, and able to move her body with ease. She made it through her pregnancy and had the easiest birth of her 3 children. A postpartum mom entered our office after having a traumatic birth experience. Her epidural was still causing her extreme pain and she was numb on the right side of her lower back. She hadn't prioritized her healing because she was busy with a set of twins. Her birth story was not the one she had planned and she ended up with an emergency c-section after laboring for 48 hours. She had extreme pubic bone pain and could hardly walk! Our neurology scans showed a lot of troubled nerve activity at the epidural site. After her first adjustment her numbness went away and she was able to take her first steps without a limp. Not only that, she reported she was able to have bowel movements again without stool softeners! Now that is what postpartum care should feel like. A second time mom came to us at 7 months pregnant. Her first pregnancy was tough, she was young and unprepared. When she arrived at the hospital for her first birth, she said it was total chaos. Her doctor wasn't on staff that day, she was stalling in her labor and they started intervening with drugs (pitocin). Her pitocin induced contractions were so painful she needed an epidural. After that epidural everything started crumbling around her. The stress of this birth forced her into a c-section. For her second birth she wanted to be more prepared! She learned that chiropractic can help breech baby positioning so she started care with us. Her pelvis was so tight and restricted, there was no surprise that this baby did not want to go head down. When it came time to birth, she wanted a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). With the tools she learned at our office and with the specific Webster adjustments, her baby made it head down and she got the birth she always wanted.
animal chiropractor, dog chiropractor, orange county animal chiropractor, orange county dog chiropra
By thrivefamchiro 07 Dec, 2022
Does Your Dog Need An Adjustment? 
Breech Babies? webster certified chiropractor
By thrivefamchiro 03 Nov, 2022
The Impact of Chiropractic On Pregnancy
More Posts
Share by: