Gallery_CaimChiropractic-41.jpg

Why Every Pregnant Woman Should Have This Test Done

During a traditional American pregnancy, there are standard tests that are usually recommended. If you’ve been pregnant before, chances are that you’ve peed in a cup a few times. Maybe you’ve had your blood drawn so many times that the phlebotomist knows you by name. You’ve watched your baby on ultrasound screens, counted kicks, taken the glucose test, and memorized every milestone in those pregnancy apps. You’re following every recommendation, taking your prenatal vitamins, and showing up to every single appointment.

But here’s what nobody’s telling you: while your medical team is monitoring your blood pressure, blood sugar, and baby’s growth, there’s one critical system that’s being completely overlooked—your nervous system. And it just might be the most important test you’re not having done!

Pregnancy is one of the most important times to keep your nervous system balanced—because your baby’s nervous system is developing right alongside yours through co-regulation. This isn’t just another thing to worry about; it’s actually an opportunity most moms don’t even know exists.

The truth is, your nervous system is orchestrating every single change happening in your body right now. It’s controlling how you adapt to stress, how well you sleep, how your hormones balance, and even how your labor will unfold. More importantly, it’s programming your baby’s developing nervous system for life.

That’s where INSiGHT Scans come in—the one test that actually measures how well your nervous system is functioning during this incredible journey.

The Nervous System in Pregnancy

Your nervous system is the master controller of everything else in your body, which becomes an even bigger deal during pregnancy. While you’re focused on the obvious changes, your growing belly, morning sickness, or those intense cravings, your nervous system is behind the scenes coordinating thousands of complex adaptations every single second.

It’s managing between two critical systems: your HPA axis (which handles stress response) and your HPG axis (which manages reproductive hormones).

When these systems work in harmony, you experience that “pregnancy glow” everyone talks about. But here’s what happens more often than not: modern life creates what we call prenatal stress load. Work deadlines, financial worries, relationship changes, previous birth trauma, or even just the overwhelming amount of pregnancy information online… it all adds up. When stress accumulates, your nervous system can get stuck in fight-or-flight mode instead of the rest-and-digest state you and your baby desperately need.

The effects on mom can be significant:

  • Sleep disruption that goes beyond normal pregnancy discomfort
  • Immune system changes that leave you more vulnerable
  • Hormonal imbalances affecting everything from mood to milk production
  • Longer, more difficult labor due to increased tension and decreased adaptability

But here’s what really matters—the effects on your baby. Your stress patterns don’t just affect you; they’re literally programming your baby’s nervous system through something called epigenetic changes. This impacts:

  • Vagus nerve development, which controls digestion, immune function, and emotional regulation
  • Stress response patterns that can last a lifetime
  • Neurodevelopmental foundations that influence learning and behavior
  • Future emotional resilience and ability to self-soothe

The beautiful news? When we can measure and support your nervous system function during pregnancy, we can optimize these outcomes for both of you.

What Are CLA INSiGHT Scans?

If you’re picturing another uncomfortable medical test, take a deep breath—Our Neurological INSiGHT Scans are nothing like the typical pregnancy tests you’ve endured. These gentle, completely non-invasive scans take just minutes and give us a window into something no blood test or ultrasound can show: how well your nervous system is actually functioning.

The technology uses three different scans that work together to create a complete picture:

The Thermal Scan acts like a stress thermometer for your neurospinal system. It measures your Autonomic Nervous System balance—essentially showing us if you’re stuck in stressed-out, sympathetic fight-or-flight mode or if you’re able to access that calm, parasympathetic rest-and-digest state. For pregnant moms, this reveals whether your body is in survival mode or thriving mode.

The Surface EMG (Electromyography) reveals the physical patterns of stress in your nervous system. Think of it as showing us where you’re “holding” your tension—those spots where stress literally gets stuck in your body. During pregnancy, these patterns can indicate how much energy your nervous system is wasting on tension instead of using for growing your baby.

The Heart Rate Variability (HRV) scan is considered the gold standard for measuring adaptability. It shows us your vagal tone—basically, how resilient and flexible your nervous system is when facing stress. A healthy HRV means you can roll with the punches; a compromised one suggests you’re white-knuckling through pregnancy.

Here’s what matters most: these scans are completely safe throughout your entire pregnancy. No radiation, no invasive procedures, no risks—just gentle sensors that read your body’s signals. You can have them done as often as needed, from your first trimester through postpartum recovery.

Why Pregnant Women Need INSiGHT Scans

Let’s be honest—pregnancy can feel like you’re flying blind. Sure, you know your baby’s approximate weight and whether you’re Group B Strep positive, but what about the bigger picture? How well are you actually adapting to the monumental changes happening in your body? How is your stress affecting your baby? These aren’t just nice-to-know details; they’re fundamental to your pregnancy experience and your baby’s development.

INSiGHT Scans fill this critical gap by measuring what actually matters:

  • Adaptability for Both Mom and Baby: The scans quantify your stress response and nervous system resilience. This isn’t about judgment—it’s about understanding. When you can see exactly how your body is handling stress, you can make informed decisions about your care. More importantly, since your baby’s nervous system is developing in response to yours, these measurements give us insight into their neurological environment.
  • Real-Time Stress Assessment: Unlike asking “How are you feeling?” (which every pregnant woman knows is a loaded question), these scans show us if you’re stuck in sympathetic overdrive. They reveal whether that anxiety you’re feeling is just normal pregnancy worry or if your nervous system is genuinely overwhelmed and needs support. This objective data helps us calm that fight-or-flight response before it impacts your labor or your baby’s development.
  • Personalized Prenatal Care: Every pregnancy is different, so why should care be one-size-fits-all? Your scan results guide a customized approach that targets your specific stress patterns and areas of concern. Instead of generic advice about “reducing stress,” you get precise, targeted support for your unique nervous system needs.

Perhaps most importantly, these scans provide something precious during pregnancy: peace of mind backed by actual data. When you can see objective improvements in your nervous system function, it validates that what you’re doing is working. No more wondering if your stress is harming your baby or if you’re “doing enough”—you have real measurements showing your progress.

Care Pathway in Pregnancy

Getting started with NeurologicalINSiGHT Scans isn’t complicated—it’s actually refreshingly straightforward compared to most pregnancy protocols. Here’s exactly how it works:

Step 1: Your First Scan establishes your baseline. This initial assessment shows us exactly where your nervous system stands right now—no guessing, no assumptions. We identify areas of stuck stress, measure your adaptability, and create a clear picture of what needs support. Many moms are surprised to see how much tension and stress they’ve been carrying without even realizing it.

Step 2: Your Personalized Care Plan begins with gentle, specific Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Adjustments designed to restore balance and improve adaptability. This isn’t about cracking or popping—it’s about releasing the stored stress that’s keeping your nervous system in overdrive. Your care plan is completely customized based on your scan findings, story, and our analysis, not some generic pregnancy protocol.

Step 3: Progress Tracking through follow-up scans provides objective proof that your nervous system is improving, or what needs to be changed. Unlike subjective “How do you feel?” check-ins, these scans show measurable changes in your stress patterns, adaptability, and overall nervous system function. Most moms see significant improvements within their first few weeks of care.

Step 4: Postpartum Transition continues your care journey after birth. Both you and your baby benefit from ongoing nervous system support during this critical adjustment period. Scans help ensure you’re both adapting well to your new life together.

The Co-Regulation Factor

Here’s something that might blow your mind: your baby isn’t just growing inside you—they’re literally learning how to regulate their nervous system from yours. This process, called co-regulation, starts in the womb and sets the foundation for your child’s lifelong ability to handle and adapt to stress.

Think about it this way: if you’re constantly in fight-or-flight mode, your baby’s developing nervous system is marinating in stress hormones. Research reveals that their little system is learning that the world is a stressful, dangerous place before they even arrive. But when your nervous system is balanced and adaptable, you’re teaching your baby’s nervous system that it’s safe to rest, digest, grow, and thrive.

The science behind this is fascinating. Your synchrony influences your infant’s vagal tone—that measure of nervous system resilience we talked about earlier—along with the baby’s developing vagus nerve. This nerve controls everything from digestion to immune function to emotional regulation. A well-developed vagus nerve means your baby will likely experience:

  • Better digestive function (less colic and reflux)
  • Improved sleep patterns
  • Stronger ability to self-soothe
  • More robust immune response
  • Enhanced emotional resilience as they grow

This isn’t about being perfect or stress-free (impossible during pregnancy!). It’s about giving your nervous system the support it needs to maintain balance, so your baby’s nervous system can develop optimally.

Additional Benefits Beyond the Scans

When you combine INSiGHT Scans with Neurologically-Focused Prenatal Chiropractic Care, something amazing happens, benefits that extend far beyond what you might expect.

  • Sleep finally becomes restorative again. Not just the “I got eight hours but still feel exhausted” kind, but actual deep, healing sleep. When your nervous system can shift out of stress mode, your body can finally rest properly, even with a baby doing gymnastics on your bladder.
  • Your hormones find their rhythm. Research indicates that balanced cortisol levels mean less of that fight-or-flight response. Optimized oxytocin sets you up for better bonding and an easier labor. Even your progesterone levels stabilize, supporting a healthy pregnancy from start to finish.
  • Your immune system gets stronger for both of you. Studies show that a balanced nervous system means better immune function for mom and optimal immune development for baby. This isn’t just about avoiding colds; it’s about building a foundation for lifelong health.
  • Birth outcomes may improve dramatically. Moms under Neurologically-Focused Care have reported shorter labor times, less need for interventions, better positioning of baby, and improved recovery. Your body knows how to give birth—sometimes it just needs its nervous system balanced to do it optimally.

FAQs

“Are INSiGHT Scans really safe during pregnancy?”

These scans use no radiation, no invasive procedures, nothing that could harm you or your baby. They simply read the signals your body is already producing. You could have them done every day (though that’s not necessary!) without any risk.

“When should I get my first scan?”

The sooner, the better. Early scanning gives you more time to improve your nervous system function before birth. However, it’s never too late—even women in their third trimester see significant benefits from starting care.

“How often should I be scanned?”

Typically, we recommend scans at the start of care, at the beginning of each trimester, every 12 visits, after any major stressor or medical intervention, before labor, and after birth with baby. This schedule helps us track your progress and adjust your care as needed.

“What about after the baby arrives?”

Postpartum scans are essential! They help us ensure you’re recovering well and adapting to the demands of new motherhood. Plus, we can scan your baby too, making sure their nervous system is functioning optimally from day one.

“Can the scans really show how my stress affects my baby?”

While we can’t scan your baby directly in utero, your scan results give us valuable insight into the neurological environment they’re developing in. When your nervous system improves, we know your baby’s environment improves too.

165-DSC06468.jpg

Your Baby’s Lifelong Health Starts Now

You have a choice to make. You can continue through pregnancy, hoping everything will work out, relying on standard tests that only show part of the picture. Or you can take control of the one thing that affects everything else—your nervous system function.

This isn’t about adding another worry to your pregnancy list. It’s about finally having a tool that shows you exactly what’s happening in the system that controls everything else. It’s about moving from hoping you’re doing enough to knowing you’re giving your baby the best possible neurological start to life.

The truth is, pregnancy is the most important time to ensure your nervous system is balanced and resilient. Your baby’s nervous system is developing right now, learning from yours how to respond to the world.

This is all possible, and it starts with one simple step: scheduling your INSiGHT Scan with a trained PX Doc. Don’t let this be the one test you wished you’d known about sooner. Your baby’s best start begins with your nervous system functioning at its best.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

Article from P X Docs - https://pxdocs.com/pregnancy/pregnant-woman-test/

PX Docs has established sourcing guidelines and relies on relevant, and credible sources for the data, facts, and expert insights and analysis we reference. You can learn more about our mission, ethics, and how we cite sources in our editorial policy

SOURCES

  • Borggren, C. L. (2007). Pregnancy and chiropractic: A narrative review of the literature. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 6(2), 70-74. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2647084/
  • Browning, K. N., & Travagli, R. A. (2014). Central nervous system control of gastrointestinal motility and secretion and modulation of gastrointestinal functions. Comprehensive Physiology, 4(4), 1339-1368. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25428846/
  • Cao-Lei, L., de Rooij, S. R., King, S., Matthews, S. G., Metz, G. A. S., Roseboom, T. J., & Szyf, M. (2020). Prenatal stress and epigenetics. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 117, 198-210. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31987849/
  • DiPietro, J. A., Costigan, K. A., & Voegtline, K. M. (2018). Fetal heart rate and variability: Stability and prediction to developmental outcomes in early childhood. Child Development, 89(4), 1283-1298. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28925068/
  • George, J. W., Skaggs, C. D., Thompson, P. A., Nelson, D. M., Gavard, J. A., & Gross, G. A. (2013). The effect of chiropractic spinal manipulation on salivary cortisol levels. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 12(2), 55-59. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3838707/
  • McCraty, R., & Shaffer, F. (2015). Heart rate variability: New perspectives on physiological mechanisms, assessment of self-regulatory capacity, and health risk. Global Advances in Health and Medicine, 4(1), 46-61. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4311559/
  • Mor, G., & Cardenas, I. (2010). The immune system in pregnancy: A unique complexity. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 63(6), 425-433. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20367629/
  • Rash, J. A., Campbell, T. S., Letourneau, N., & Giesbrecht, G. F. (2016). Maternal cortisol during pregnancy is related to infant cardiac vagal control. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 64, 90-99. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26630390/
  • Sandman, C. A., Buss, C., Head, K., & Davis, E. P. (2015). Fetal exposure to maternal depressive symptoms is associated with cortical thickness in late childhood. Biological Psychiatry, 77(4), 324-334. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25129235/
  • Task Force of the European Society of Cardiology and the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology. (1996). Heart rate variability: Standards of measurement, physiological interpretation and clinical use. Circulation, 93(5), 1043-1065. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/01.CIR.93.5.1043
  • Van den Bergh, B. R. H., van den Heuvel, M. I., Lahti, M., Braeken, M., de Rooij, S. R., Entringer, S., Hoyer, D., Roseboom, T., Räikkönen, K., King, S., & Schwab, M. (2020). Prenatal developmental origins of behavior and mental health: The influence of maternal stress in pregnancy. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 117, 26-64. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28757456/
  • PubMed Central (PMC). (2023 Dec 19). Interactive synchrony and infants’ vagal tone as an index of emotion regulation: associations within each mother- and father-infant dyad and across dyads. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10758435/ PMC
  • PubMed Central (PMC). (2017 Jan 1, published; accepted 2017 Jun 18). Neuroimmune interactions: From the brain to the immune system and vice versa. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5866360/ PMC
  • National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI Bookshelf). (2025 Jan–, last updated August 14, 2023). Genetics, Epigenetic Mechanism. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532999/ NCBI
  • NCBI Bookshelf. (2016 May). PROMISE: first-trimester progesterone therapy in women with a history of unexplained recurrent miscarriages – a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, international multicentre trial and economic evaluation. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK362730/ NCBI
  • Mayo Clinic. (2023 Aug 1). Chronic stress puts your health at risk. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037