How pregnancy transforms the spine and pelvis, and what you can do to feel supported throughout it

By a woman chiropractor who has walked alongside hundreds of mothers through this season of change

Pregnancy asks a lot of your body.
It softens, widens, expands, lifts, and holds, often all at the same time. And while these shifts are natural, they’re also demanding on the spine, pelvis, and the nervous system that orchestrates everything behind the scenes.

Most mothers tell me the same thing:
“I didn’t realise how much my body was doing until something started to feel off.”

So this is a gentle look at what actually changes in pregnancy, why certain aches or discomforts are so common, and the grounded ways you can feel steadier and more supported in your own body.

The quiet reshaping of your spine

From the moment pregnancy hormones rise, your spine begins adapting.
Your centre of gravity moves forward. Your rib cage subtly widens to make space for your lungs. Your lower back slowly curves a little more to carry the growing weight of your baby.

These shifts aren't flaws. They’re your body doing what it’s designed to do.
But they can also create:

• Deep lower back tightness

• Stiffness through the mid-back

• Pressure around the tailbone

• Fatigue from standing or walking longer periods

• Electrical feeling down the leg

Your nervous system works double-time to coordinate all of this and doing its best to balancing posture, processing new sensations and regulating how your muscles respond. When it becomes overwhelmed or stuck in “protective mode,” that’s when discomfort tends to speak the loudest.

The pelvis: your body’s natural cradle

The pelvis is remarkable. It widens and softens with precision: spacious enough to support your growing baby, yet stable enough to hold you upright.

During pregnancy, the hormone relaxin increases mobility in the pelvic joints.
This allows the pelvis to move, open, and shift as needed… but sometimes it moves a little too much or not quite evenly, and mothers feel:

• Pubic bone discomfort

• Groin pressure

• Tension around the hips

• SI joint aches with walking or stairs

Nothing is “wrong”, it’s simply the body inviting a bit more balance, a bit more guidance, a bit more space.

Where chiropractic care fits in

When I work with pregnant mothers, my focus is simple:
Create ease in the spine and pelvis so both mother and baby feel supported.

As a woman chiropractor with training in paediatric and perinatal care, the approach is gentle, precise and grounded in the nervous system. No forceful twisting. No dramatic movements. Just thoughtful adjustments that help your body feel aligned, organised and less overwhelmed.

Mothers often tell me after a session:

• “I can breathe again.”

• “My belly feels lighter.”

• “My hips finally feel like they’re on the same team.”

• “I didn’t realise how much tension I was holding.”

It isn’t magic. It’s simply helping the body return to a place where it can do its job with more ease and less strain.

How you can support your body during pregnancy

Here are some quiet practices that make a meaningful difference:

1. Create small moments of stillness for your nervous system

A few deep breaths in the morning.
A slow walk without your phone.
A minute with your hand resting on your belly.
These moments matter.

2. Keep your pelvis supported

Crossing one leg over the other, slouching in soft sofas, or standing on one hip can subtly aggravate pelvic imbalances. Think: both feet grounded, gentle movements, a stable base.

3. Strengthen your deep stabilisers

Light Pilates or gentle core work helps your spine feel more organised as your belly grows.

4. Prioritise the space your body is asking for

Pregnancy is not a season for pushing through. It’s a season for listening.

5. Seek care that honours your body’s design

Chiropractic care during pregnancy isn’t about cracking or force.
It’s about supporting your nervous system, balancing the pelvis and giving your spine the clarity it needs to carry you through the months ahead.

Your body is doing something extraordinary.
And you deserve to feel supported. Not just physically, but emotionally, mentally, and in the quiet moments where no one sees the strain you’re carrying.

If you’re in a season where your back feels tight, your pelvis feels uneven, or your nervous system feels overstretched, you’re not alone, and you don’t need to “just deal with it.”

At Purely Family Chiropractic, we create a calm, intentional space for mothers to reconnect with their bodies and feel guided throughout their pregnancy journey.

When the spine is aligned, the pelvis balanced, and the nervous system grounded, mothers often tell me they feel a little more themselves again, and that ripple shapes everything.

If you’d like support through your pregnancy, my door is open.