Shared by: DrsWarner@chiropediatrics.com Drs. Theresa & Stuart Warner welcome you to grow your pediatric practice with the following list. The Famous ChiroPediatric Top 7 The Top Seven Strategies To Ensure Your Pregnant Patients Get Their Newborns Checked For Subluxation Many Chiropractors are frustrated that after a pregnant patient delivers their baby they often do not have the baby checked for vertebral subluxation. Their lives change so much following the birth that sometimes the new mom does not return for care either. The newborn chiropractic examination is one of the most important opportunities to uncover subluxations that may impede that child's nervous system and compromise their ability to be healthy and reach their potential. We must do everything possible in the office to inspire and educate the expecting mom about the importance of having their newborn checked for vertebral subluxation. Thus, the newborn can start on the road to good health and well being with their first adjustment. After caring for hundreds of pregnant woman over the last ten years, we have developed a keen insight on how to increase the number of newborns that you are able to help and we will share with you the top seven strategies below. 1. Start early, start early, and start early. If you wait until a couple of weeks before the birth, the woman may feel pressured. This will create some anxiety or friction in the doctor-patient relationship. The best time to begin the process is in the first trimester. 2. As you have probably observed in your practice, patients discontinue care at high rates when there is some type of interruption in their schedule. The most common reasons are a vacation, missed visits, and a birth. So, it is very important to let the expectant mom know that every pregnant moms favorite adjustment is her first postpartum adjustment. We talk about all of the changes in her body during the three trimesters and stress endured during labor and delivery; and, how their body will jump back to normal quicker with adjustments, and that they will feel better. We frequently will motivate them to get that first adjustment within the first week after the birth, and we will ask for her feelings on the issue and get her commitment as well. When they come back within the first week, her chances of having herself and her newborn benefit from regular care will skyrocket. 3. We will educate the pregnant patient that the amount of force and trauma to the newborns neck, even under normal conditions, can be very damaging and cause subluxations. As a result of this the baby should be checked by a chiropractor right away. Share with the expecting parents that the average force the newborn's neck will be subjected to in the birth is approximately 40-70 pounds. Contrast that to a few ounces, to a couple of pounds, of carefully directed pressure to correct subluxations. The parents will relax and realize that if the baby was born it is safe for he/she to get adjusted. 4. When we are educating the "mom to be" it is important to not lecture too much, or pressure her creating a combative situation. Pregnant patients can be more sensitive with hormonal changes, so it is better to open up dialog with open-ended questions and be nonconfrontational. An example of a good question is "What kind of stresses do you think your baby's neck will be exposed to during the birth?" 5. You should consider helping the expectant mom create her birth plan. This will give you an opportunity to help her sort out all of the choices that she will have to make during her pregnancy and after the birth. You can also use Future Perfects' Pregnancy Boot Camp, and give a group lecture where you can tout the benefits of chiropractic for the newborn. 6. One of the best things to do is to introduce your expecting patient to other woman in the practice, which have children that have been getting adjusted since birth. When they can hear the benefits from other real life moms it will give them the confidence to have their infants checked also. Your existing patients will tell the pregnant patient how much healthier her children are, and that they are so happy their children don't have all the problems all of the subluxated children suffer with. Your staff can also facilitate this process between the patients, which we call "The Adopt A Patient Program." 7. Always offer to be present at the birth to adjust the mom during delivery and also to check the newborn. This is a great service to offer that will start the new mother and baby off to a great start. There are many ways to educate pregnant woman about the importance of having their newborns checked for subluxation. The above list will get you off to a great start. Don't fall in to the trap and assume that the pregnant patient wants their newborn adjusted simply because they have been a great patient and are a nice person. They might not want to, and even if they do, you have to deal with the 'wild card' - their husband. The most important realization is to make sure you are aware of all the possibilities and subtleties that go into accomplishing your mission of helping more children.