The Fourth Trimester — Postpartum Healing & the Nervous System
All of the pregnancy chiropractors at Nomad Chiropractic in Mosman have additional perinatal training and are Webster Certified. We care for mums and mums-to-be from all over Sydney including the North Shore, Northern Beaches and Greater Sydney.
The baby is here. You’ve made it through the marathon of pregnancy and the rite of passage that is birth. But in many ways, this is just the beginning.
The fourth trimester—the first 12 weeks after birth—is a time of enormous transition for both mother and baby. And while the focus often shifts entirely to the newborn, the birthing parent is undergoing her own physical, emotional, and neurological transformation.
At Nomad Chiropractic, we believe this stage deserves as much attention and care as the pregnancy and birth itself. In this post, we’ll explore how chiropractic care supports your recovery, emotional resilience, and nervous system recalibration after birth.
What is the Fourth Trimester?
The term "fourth trimester" was popularised by Dr. Harvey Karp to describe the delicate window of time after birth when the baby is still adjusting to life outside the womb. But it’s not just about the baby.
For the mother, this period involves:
Ongoing uterine involution (the womb shrinking back to size)
Hormonal recalibration (especially involving oxytocin, prolactin, and cortisol)
Sleep deprivation and emotional upheaval
Healing from vaginal or abdominal birth
A radical shift in identity and routines
Rachel Reed, author of Reclaiming Childbirth, reminds us that postpartum recovery is a physiological process, not a luxury. Rest, nourishment, and support are biological needs—not indulgences.
The Role of Chiropractic in Postpartum Recovery
While most people think of chiropractic as something you "get for back pain," its real strength lies in supporting the nervous system. After birth, this system is under pressure—especially with disrupted sleep, feeding struggles, overstimulation, and emotional highs and lows.
Mosman postpartum chiropractic care can:
Restore pelvic and spinal alignment after the physical intensity of birth
Relieve muscular tension from breastfeeding, carrying, and feeding positions
Support the parasympathetic nervous system (rest, digest, heal)
Help regulate mood and energy via vagus nerve stimulation
Assist recovery following C-section by addressing compensatory postures, easing scar-related tension, and promoting gentle mobility to reduce strain on healing tissues
C-Section Recovery Support
A Caesarean birth is major abdominal surgery, and recovery often comes with added challenges such as scar tissue sensitivity, altered posture from protecting the incision site, and increased strain on the lower back and shoulders. Chiropractic care after a C-section can help by gently restoring spinal and pelvic balance, improving mobility without stressing healing tissues, and supporting overall nervous system recovery. This can make daily tasks—like lifting your baby, breastfeeding, or simply getting in and out of bed—more comfortable as your body heals.
Dr. Heidi Haavik's research into the neuroscience of chiropractic has shown that spinal adjustments influence prefrontal cortex activity, which governs stress responses, emotional regulation, and immune function【Haavik, 2014】.
Postpartum Pelvis: Realigning the Foundation
During birth, the pelvis expands and rotates to allow the baby through—this is normal and necessary. But often, the joints don’t return to their ideal alignment afterward, especially if there was:
A long pushing stage
Instrumental assistance (forceps/vacuum)
A caesarean section (which still affects the pelvis)
Prolonged side-lying or seated positions postpartum
Dr. Steve Williams highlights that imbalances in the sacroiliac joints and pubic symphysis are common in postpartum women and may contribute to lingering back pain, pelvic instability, and altered gait【Williams, 2021】.
Gentle postpartum adjustments support realignment, comfort, and coordination—especially important if you plan to carry your baby often or have another pregnancy in future.
Chiropractic & Breastfeeding Challenges
Posture plays a big role in breastfeeding success. Constant feeding (often hunched over, in awkward positions) can lead to:
Mid-back and neck strain
Shoulder blade tension
Referred pain into the arms or wrists (like de Quervain’s tenosynovitis)
Chiropractic care can help reduce these musculoskeletal issues and improve posture and comfort—making feeding more enjoyable and sustainable. It also influences the nervous system regulation needed for letdown and oxytocin release, which play crucial roles in milk production and bonding【ICPA, 2020】.
Postnatal Anxiety, Overwhelm & the Nervous System
Heidi Haavik’s work has shown that chiropractic adjustments may improve heart rate variability, a key marker of nervous system adaptability and stress resilience. In the postpartum period, this can translate to:
Better emotional regulation
Reduced anxiety and overwhelm
A greater capacity to cope with broken sleep and new demands
Sara Wickham and Rachel Reed both advocate for postpartum care that honours the mother’s nervous system, recognising that emotional wellbeing is inseparable from physical recovery. Chiropractic offers a powerful, drug-free way to support this integration.
What to Expect at Nomad Postpartum Visits
We tailor all care to your birth story and recovery needs. Our postpartum sessions include:
Gentle, specific adjustments
Pelvic and spinal assessments
Nervous system regulation techniques
Co-regulation support (because how you feel in our space matters)
We welcome mums with babies in arms or carriers. You can feed, cry, nap, and be supported—judgement-free.
In Summary
The fourth trimester is not a footnote to the birth story—it’s a continuation of the transformation. Chiropractic care helps recalibrate your body, restore your nervous system, and support the strength you need to thrive in this new season of life.
Next in Part 4: we’ll explore common postpartum pains—like pelvic floor dysfunction, coccyx pain, and “mum wrists”—and how chiropractic care can help you feel more aligned, stable, and strong.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes—when performed by a qualified postpartum-trained chiropractor, adjustments are gentle and tailored to your recovery stage.
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Absolutely. Adjustments improve posture and ease upper back tension, which often affects feeding comfort.
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Pelvic instability, coccyx pain, “mum wrist,” neck and shoulder tension, and emotional stress.
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Yes. Post-Caesarean care supports spinal and pelvic realignment, compensatory postures, and nervous system regulation.
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No referral is required. You can book directly with us anytime after birth—babies welcome, arms and all.