Osteopathy For a Healthy Pregnancy

OSTEOPATHY DURING PREGNANCY

Having the opportunity to help expectant mothers during and post-pregnancy is one of my favourite areas of my work. Pregnancy is a natural process which shouldn’t be seen as an illness, and Osteopathy can help to support the changes in the mother’s body as pregnancy progresses, important for the development of the unborn child and for the delivery.

There are many changes to the mother’s body that occur in a healthy pregnancy, including:

• the uterus and it’s ligaments increasing in size
• an increased curve in the low back to support the increased size and weight of the uterus
• spreading of the lower ribs and raising of the diaphragm
• softening of the body’s ligaments in the latter stages, preparing the pelvis for the delivery
• increased muscular effort to support the relative ligamentous laxity

Many bodies can support these changes without problem, however if there is any underlying tension from past injuries, surgeries, illnesses or stress, the body may not be as “giving”.

Past injuries such as falls onto the tailbone or whiplash may have caused residual tightness in the pelvis and lower spine, restricting the body’s ability to change freely as the progression of pregnancy demands. This may cause the mother to experience lower back pain or sciatica. Restriction of these areas may also have an effect on the delivery, as the pelvic bones need to be free to expand for the passage of the baby. Past abdominal surgeries or injuries to the middle or upper back or ribcage may restrict the upward movement of the diaphragm, restricting the available space for baby and compressing major blood vessels, possibly contributing to high blood pressure, varicose veins, bladder infections and indigestion or heartburn.

What does treatment involve?

Osteopathic treatment addresses the whole body and is individual to each person, and this does not change during pregnancy. There are however important areas that should be specifically addressed in this time. For reasons mentioned above, it is important to ensure mobility and minimal tension in the pelvis, spine, ribcage and diaphragm. It is also important to address any strains in the upper neck and head, as tension here may have an effect on hormonal production and regulation. Treatment is non-invasive and very gentle, the aim to make pregnancy and childbirth easier to create the best possible environment for the unborn child.

Osteopathy for unexplained recurrent miscarriage.

If the areas mentioned above are severely limited in their mobility, so will they be in their function. The tissues may not be able to support the demanded changes or hormone production and therefore be unable to provide an environment to support a developing embryo, and miscarriage occurs. Treatment of these areas pre-pregnancy may be able to assist this.

Can Osteopathy help to turn my breech or posterior baby?

Treatment to correct strains or relieve tension in the pelvis, lower back and ribcage can give the baby more freedom and possibly encourage the baby to turn on it’s own. For the baby to be positioned optimally for a straightforward delivery the mother’s pelvis, hips and midline need to be aligned so that the baby can orientate itself.

Osteopathy post-pregnancy?

During pregnancy the mother’s body goes through some very big changes in a short period of time and afterwards, things need to find their way back! A combination of a changed posture, labour forces, effects of epidurals and other drugs can lead to symptoms such as back ache, sciatica and headaches. Osteopathy can help to ease these so you can comfortably enjoy your new baby.