Many chiropractors are frustrated that after pregnant patients deliver their babies, they often fail to have them checked for vertebral subluxation. The new moms' lives change so much following the birth that sometimes they don't return for care either.

The newborn chiropractic examination is one of the most important opportunities to uncover subluxations that may impede the child's nervous system and compromise his or her ability to be healthy and reach full potential.

We must do everything possible to inspire and educate the expectant mom about the importance of having her newborn checked for vertebral subluxation. Thus, the newborn can start on the road to good health and well being with that first adjustment.

After caring for hundreds of pregnant woman over the last 10 years, we have developed a keen insight on the ways to increase the number of newborns a chiropractor is able to help. Following are the "Top Seven Strategies" we devised.

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've probably observed in your practice, patients discontinue care at high rates when there's some type of interruption in their schedule. The most common reasons are a vacation, missed visits, and a birth. So, it's very important to let the expectant mom know that every pregnant mom's favorite adjustment is her first postpartum adjustment. Discuss all of the changes in her body during the three trimesters and stress endured during labor and delivery. Emphasize how her body will jump back to normal quicker with adjustments, and that she'll feel better.

We'll frequently motivate the new mom to get that first adjustment within the first week after the birth, and we'll ask for her feelings on the issue and get her commitment as well. When she comes back within the first week, her chances of having herself and her newborn benefit from regular care will skyrocket.

3. We educate the pregnant patient that the amount of force and trauma to the newborn's 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 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's safe for the newborn to get adjusted.

4. When you're educating the mom-to-be, it's important to not lecture too much, or pressure her creating a combative situation. Pregnant patients can be more sensitive with hormonal changes, so it's better to open up dialogue 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. Consider helping the expectant mom create her birth plan. This will give you an opportunity to help her sort out all of the choices she'll have to make during her pregnancy and after the birth. You can also 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 expectant patients to other woman in the practice who 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 patients how much healthier their children are, and that they are so happy their children don't have all the problems of subluxated children. Your staff can facilitate this process between the patients.

7. Always offer to be present at the birth to adjust the mom during delivery and also to check the newborn. This is a important service to offer that will give new mother and baby a great beginning.

There are many ways to educate pregnant women about the importance of having their newborns checked for subluxation. These seven strategies will get you off to an excellent start.

Don't fall into the trap of assuming that pregnant patients want their newborns adjusted simply because they have been good patients and are nice people. They might not want that, and even if they do, husbands are a "wild card" you frequently have to deal with.

The most important realization is to make sure you're aware of all the possibilities and subtleties that go into accomplishing your mission of helping more children.