Many chiropractors care for pregnant women, and it is natural to have an interest in getting the newborn under care shortly after birth. Unfortunately, either due to fear of rejection or anxiety over some kind of unpleasant confrontation on the issue, these chiropractors procrastinate far too long and ultimately lose the opportunity to be of service to a newborn.

The most common problem is that a doctor interested in adjusting newborns simply waits too long to bring up the subject, sometimes a week or two before the child's birth, or just after. By this time, it is simply too late.

A week or two before delivery is usually a stressful period for the mother and father-to-be, and just after the birth the mother is most often homebound, tied up with a dizzying array of new responsibilities and simply unavailable to engage in a meaningful dialogue on the subject.

Also, many times parents have unfounded apprehensions about having their newborn adjusted, based on a lack of information on the topic. They will simply avoid talking to you about the idea, sometimes to the point of discontinuing their own care, rather than subject themselves to discussion about it.

The best time to start educating parents about adjusting their newborn is very early on, preferably in the mother's first trimester. With up to eight months to educate the mom you have a comfortable cushion of time to let her warm to the idea, which increases your opportunity to attain the goal of having the newborn checked for subluxation. The best way to start this process is by having mom and dad come and actually see newborns being adjusted in your office.

You will also want to fortify the parents with pamphlets and brochures of information that they can take home and read, which will better enlighten them to the benefits of early chiropractic care for their child.

Discussions with you will be of immeasurable value, as you tell them about the important role the nervous system plays in the growth and development of their child's immune system and biochemistry. You will want to let them know about the stress and unintentional trauma that occurs in the birth process.

Tell them an average of 40-70 pounds of force is exerted upon a newborn's head and neck during delivery, compared to a just a few ounces or pounds during an adjustment. Reassure them the process is very safe for newborns, and every newborn should be checked for subluxation and if necessary, adjusted.

Ask open-ended questions with the parents to get them talking about the subject and get their misconceptions addressed. When they see your logic, sincerity and passion about wanting to help their baby, your chances of actually helping the child will be greatly increased.

Also, be sure to tell parents the most important adjustment for the pregnant woman is the one she'll enjoy the most: the postpartum adjustment. After all the changes her body has gone through and after the stress and strain of the birth process, she will truly enjoy and benefit enormously from that first adjustment after her baby comes. When mom sees how worthwhile that adjustment is, she will realize how important it is to bring her baby in as well.

Some chiropractors might want to offer a complimentary check up for the newborn. This can serve as a good springboard into regular chiropractic care for the child. It is also valuable to have the spouse on hand to see the baby getting adjusted, so he can see firsthand what a safe and positive experience it is.

Volunteering to go to the hospital to adjust mom during her labor, and being there to adjust the baby upon delivery is of course another way to show your earnestness and enthusiasm for this worthwhile endeavor.

The most important thing to remember is start educating early, when there is plenty of time. Don't wait until the last minute and you'll see that you will be able to develop a good relationship and rapport with moms and dads-to-be. In turn, this will facilitate your goal of adjusting newborns and continuing their wellness care throughout a life of celebrating the chiropractic lifestyle!