Why Your Baby Feels Everything You Feel During Pregnancy

Understanding the Powerful Role of Your Nervous System During Pregnancy

As an expecting parent, you’re likely getting flooded with advice: build your baby registry, take a prenatal yoga class, eat more folate, find the right birth plan, and—of course—choose the perfect stroller. While all of those things have their place, there's something even more fundamental that deserves your focus first: your nervous system.

We live in a culture that emphasizes the physical and material preparations for pregnancy, but often overlooks the internal systems that truly support both you and your baby. At His Work My Hands Chiropractic, we believe that the health of your nervous system is the single most important thing to prioritize during pregnancy.

The Nervous System: Your Body’s Master Control Center

Your nervous system is in charge of every single function in your body—it regulates your hormones, digestion, immune response, sleep cycles, and emotional state. So it’s no surprise that it also plays a critical role in your baby’s development.

And it begins early—very early. Your baby’s nervous system starts developing just 3 to 4 weeks after conception. That’s often before many women even know they’re pregnant! This foundational system sets the stage for the development of every organ, every nerve, and every vital function in your baby’s body.

Your Baby Literally Feels What You Feel

Most people know that the umbilical cord delivers nutrients and oxygen from mom to baby—but what many don’t realize is that it's also a direct link between your nervous systems.

Think of it as a power cord: what’s happening in your nervous system directly impacts what your baby experiences. Here’s how:

• When you're stressed, your body produces stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These cross the placenta and affect your baby’s development.

• When you're relaxed and at ease, those calm signals help your baby feel safe and supported.

• Your emotional state during pregnancy helps shape your baby’s baseline for stress regulation, immune development, and even emotional resilience.

This connection is why prenatal chiropractic care that supports your nervous system can make such a powerful difference—not just for your pregnancy experience, but for your baby’s lifelong health.

Why Modern Pregnancies Are More Stressed Than Ever

Let’s face it—being pregnant today is far from peaceful.

Between work deadlines, managing a household, financial pressures, and constant digital noise (not to mention the never-ending stream of prenatal testing and medical monitoring), most moms-to-be are functioning in chronic low-grade stress.

Over time, that constant stress builds. Your body may become locked in a state of sympathetic dominance—also known as “fight or flight” mode. When this happens, both you and your baby can experience:

• Poor sleep quality

• Increased anxiety or mood swings

• Digestive problems

• Fatigue and low energy

• Heightened inflammation

• Impaired fetal development

• A more difficult labor and delivery

Unfortunately, most traditional prenatal care focuses on checking the boxes: blood pressure, fetal heartbeat, ultrasounds, and weight gain. But no one is checking how your nervous system is functioning—or how all that stress is actually affecting you and your baby.

Gabriella’s Story: A Pregnancy Transformed

Let us introduce you to Gabriella, a mom who came to His Work My Hands Chiropractic around 30 weeks into her pregnancy. She had experienced a couple of falls and was concerned about her physical health. But when we performed her neurological INSiGHT scans, we saw a deeper issue—her nervous system was stuck in a high-stress, fight-or-flight pattern. She was exhausted, anxious, and overwhelmed.

After just a few weeks of care, the transformation was remarkable.

"I instantly regretted not starting sooner. My anxiety, depression, brain fog, and back pain have improved so much. I wake up energized and ready to start my hectic days. Before, I was dragging my feet just to get through them. Overall, it has been such a blessing."

Gabriella’s body shifted out of chronic stress and into a state of healing and restoration—and her baby benefited from that shift, too.

How We Measure Nervous System Stress in Pregnancy

The great news? You don’t have to guess how your nervous system is functioning—we can measure it directly using cutting-edge technology.

At His Work My Hands Chiropractic, we use Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and neurological INSiGHT scans to assess how your body is adapting to the stress of pregnancy. These non-invasive scans provide a real-time look into your nervous system’s balance between stress and recovery.

What we learn helps us build a customized care plan that’s specific to your body’s needs—and your baby’s stage of development.

Think of it as a window into how well your body is handling pregnancy stress, and a map toward optimal function.

The Role of Prenatal Chiropractic Care

Our neurologically-focused chiropractic approach is gentle, safe, and specifically designed for pregnancy. Unlike general chiropractic care, our focus is on optimizing the function of your nervous system, especially the vagus nerve, which helps calm your body and shift it into the “rest and digest” state.

When the nervous system is balanced and clear, your body can better adapt to pregnancy, labor, and postpartum recovery. Our pregnant practice members often report:

• Better sleep

• Decreased physical pain and tension

• Reduced anxiety and mood swings

• More energy

• Fewer digestive issues

• A smoother birth experience

• A stronger connection to their baby

And perhaps most importantly, a greater sense of peace and empowerment throughout their journey.

Pregnancy Doesn’t Have to Be Nine Months of Survival Mode

Many moms come to us after struggling for weeks—or months—feeling like they’re barely hanging on. The truth is, it doesn’t have to be that way.

With the right support, your pregnancy can be calm, connected, and empowering.

When your nervous system is functioning properly, your body can support your baby’s development in the way it was designed to. And when you’re thriving, your baby is, too.

As Gabriella said:

"Never would I have thought chiropractic care would make such a huge impact on me and my family’s lives."

Your First Step Starts Here

If you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant, the best time to care for your nervous system is now. At His Work My Hands Chiropractic, we’re here to walk with you every step of the way—from preconception to postpartum—with heart, faith, and science-based care.

📍 Local? Reach out to schedule your consultation and INSiGHT nervous system scan. 🌎 Not nearby? Visit the PX Docs directory to find a neurologically-based prenatal chiropractor near you.

✨ Your Baby Feels Everything You Feel

By caring for your nervous system, you’re giving your baby the best possible start—before they even take their first breath.