Osteopathy and pregnancy...
Aches and pains are common during pregnancy, as the body changes shape to accommodate the increasing size and weight of the uterus. This involves considerable changes to posture. In addition to this, the ligaments of the whole body soften during pregnancy due to the action of hormones. This allows the bones of the pelvis to separate slightly during the delivery to facilitate the passage of the baby’s head through the pelvis. Unfortunately, this softening affects the whole body and makes it more vulnerable to strain during the pregnancy. Poor posture may cause backache, neckache, headaches, aching legs and fatigue.
Osteopathic treatment is helpful in assisting the body to make postural changes easily and make pregnancy more comfortable.
An important part of preparation for childbirth is to ensure that the mother’s pelvis is structurally balanced and able to allow the passage of the baby down the birth canal. Trauma to the pelvic bones, coccyx or sacrum at any time in a mother’s life can leave increased tension in muscles and strain within ligaments and bones of the pelvis. This can limit the ability of these bones to separate and move out of the way during labour, and thus limit the size of the pelvic outlet.
Osteopathic treatment can help to ensure that the pelvis and uterus are correctly balanced and release old strains within the pelvis.
With your permission, the osteopath will contact your doctor if medical treatment is needed.
Osteopathic treatment after birth
After giving birth, the body not only has to recover from the changes it made during pregnancy, but also from the effects of delivery. The mother’s pelvis is vulnerable to lasting strains from the forces involved, particularly after a difficult delivery. Unresolved childbirth stresses in the mother can contribute to ongoing back problems, period problems, stress, incontinence, constipation, headache and more.
Caring for a baby can also place enormous strain on the back, especially when nursing in poor positions, lifting car seats in and out of the car, reaching over the cot, or carrying a child on one hip.
Osteopathic treatment can help the mother return to normal after the birth by releasing strains on the body from both pregnancy and labour, enabling her to relax and enjoy her new baby.
An osteopath can also provide guidance on developing good postural habits while caring for a newborn baby and growing child. Read our page on children and osteopathy for more information on how osteopathy can help babies and children.
