As a chiropractor, Iβve had the privilege of working closely with moms through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery. Iβve seen firsthand how powerful the body can be when itβs aligned, supported, and trusted β and how easily that power can be overshadowed in a modern medical system that often prioritizes efficiency and control over intuition and connection.
But my story with birth actually started long before I became a chiropractor. My first experience with birth was at 12 years old in a bathtub with my mom + dad, (both also chiropractors), as my mom gave birth to my youngest siblingβ¦ with no midwife present. The midwife didnβt make it in time. It was just my mom, my dad, and me- and I watched in awe as my mother, who had once been told she could never have children, brought her fourth baby into the world naturally, in a bathtub, through the power of chiropractic and innate intelligence. That moment changed me forever.
So when I speak about the bodyβs wisdom and the natural process of birth, itβs not theoretical β Iβve lived it. Iβve seen how alignment, trust, and support create safety and strength in one of the most sacred experiences of life
When it comes to birth, the truth is simple: our current medical model doesnβt always have a motherβs best interest at heart. Itβs built around minimizing liability, managing pain through medication, and speeding up the processβ¦
Yeah. Itβs a lot of bullshit.
That means a birthing momβs goals, plan, or even her body are not always the priority. The medical community isnβt necessarily supporting whatβs safest and most natural for mom and baby. Birth isnβt a medical procedure β itβs a natural, deeply intuitive process. The body knows what to do! But when birth becomes overly medicalized, women are more likely to experience unnecessary interventions, longer recoveries, and often trauma surrounding what should be one of the most empowering moments of their lives!
And unfortunately, partners or husbands arenβt always equipped to advocate for the motherβs wishes. They arenβt trained to navigate medical jargon, recognize scare tactics, or hold firm when the pressure rises.
Thatβs where chiropractic care and doulas come in.
Chiropractic: Preparing the Body for Birth
Prenatal chiropractic care focuses on proper alignment of the pelvis, sacrum, and spine- creating balance in the ligaments and muscles that support the uterus. When these structures are aligned, baby can move into the optimal position for birth, and the nervous system can communicate freely β sending the body the right signals at the right time.
Multiple studies show that chiropractic care during pregnancy can:
Shorten labor times by up to 40% (by helping baby engage properly and reducing tension)
Decrease pain and the need for risk for medical interventions
Improve outcomes for both mom and baby
When the nervous system is balanced, contractions are more effective, the body is calmer, and birth tends to unfold more naturally. Itβs not about forcing a medical procedure β itβs about allowing the process to happen exactly as it was designed to. Naturally.
Doulas: Emotional and Physical Support in the Birth Space
A doula is a trained birth companion who supports mothers emotionally, physically, and informationally before, during, and after birth. Unlike medical staff, a doulaβs only agenda is the motherβs well-being. She helps moms navigate their choices, communicate with providers, and stay calm and confident through the intensity of labor.
Doulas donβt replace doctors or midwives β they complement them. Research consistently shows that having a doula present leads to:
Lower rates of C-sections and epidurals
Shorter labors
Improved satisfaction with the birth experience
Better outcomes for both mom and baby
The Perfect Partnership
When chiropractic care and doula support come together, the result is a birth experience that honors both body and mind and respects momβs wishes for her ideal birth. The chiropractor helps the body prepare for and function optimally during labor; the doula protects the motherβs peace, confidence, and choices throughout the process.
Together, they restore something the medical system has often taken away β trust in the bodyβs innate intelligence.
Every woman deserves a birth experience where they feel informed, empowered, and supported β not managed or rushed. Hiring a doula and receiving prenatal chiropractic care are two of the most powerful ways to reclaim that experience.
So share this with your daughter, daughter-in-law, friend, or any birthing person about to embark on this beautiful next chapter. And when youβre looking for the right support, find a doula who aligns with your values and a Webster Certified chiropractor who has advanced training in the birthing process.
Orange County β we canβt wait to support you on this next chapter!
β Dr. Corrin Harris
Owner + Founder, House of Chiropractic