Support during pregnancy

Osteopathy and pregnancy

Pregnancy is a unique and powerful experience. Enormous physical, hormonal and emotional changes take place over a relatively short period of time. The body has to adapt to carrying up to 20kg of baby, waters and placenta, which can impose physical strain on all the organs and tissues. Osteopathic treatment during and after pregnancy is safe and can be beneficial in a number of ways:

  • Easing some of the physical discomforts of pregnancy
  • Preparing for the demands of labour
  • Helping the mother to recover after birth 

During a natural vaginal delivery a baby must pass through the mothers’ pelvis. 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 the 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 is extremely effective at releasing old strains within the pelvis, thus giving the best chance of an easy and uncomplicated labour.

A pre-conception check-up
A pre-conception check-up aims at optimally preparing your body for pregnancy. Existing or underlying restrictions, which may cause problems later on during pregnancy will be assessed and treated if necessary. Therefore a pre-conception check-up may help to make sure your body is ready to cope with the changes that it is about to face.

Infertility
Infertility can be associated with e.g. adhesions and/or torsions of the uterus and fallopian tubes. Poor blood supply or pelvic congestion as well as hormonal imbalances can also contribute to ifertility problems. Osteopathic medicine might help in the treatment of such functional conditions and therefore potentially increase the chance of a natural conception. Treatment can also help to optimally prepare and support your body when going through IVF.

During pregnancy
The aim is to reduce pregnancy related symptoms. Osteopathic treatment may also reduce complications during delivery by addressing specific underlying dysfunctions or by simply optimising the body’s ability to adapt during the process of delivery. This might reduce the complication at birth.

After birth
Post-partum problems you might encounter include:

Post-partum treatment, rehabilitation and management is aimed at a smoother recovery and a reduction of long-term problems caused by the stresses and strains of birth.

Osteopathy and pregnancy

We can help with :

  • — Pelvic, low back, neck pain
  • — Coccyx pain
  • — Morning sickness, heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort
  • — Urinary infections, incontinence
  • — Tiredness
  • — Breathing difficulties
  • — Venous and lymphatic congestion in the legs, haemorrhoids