Osteopathy & the Mum-to-Be

OSTEOPATHY & THE MUM-TO-BE

Being pregnant is a unique and powerful life experience. It is a time which you can, and should enjoy. During pregnancy your body undergoes immense physical, hormonal and emotional changes.

These changes occur over a relatively short space of time, and your body has to continually adapt to accommodate these changes. Up to 10 kilograms in weight of baby, placenta and fluids may be. carried, putting a fair amount of physical strain on the body. In order for you to adapt to all these changes you have to find new ways to sit, sleep & walk resulting in various aches, pains and discomfort.

Many pregnant women find osteopathy treatments very helpful throughout their pregnancy for pain reduction and preparation for labour. As well as helping to reduce back, hip or leg pain, neck and shoulder discomfort, osteopathy can also help the body prepare for labour and delivery. Many women suffer pain in the groin or lower abdomen with a feeling that ‘something is about to give’ is often diagnosed as Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) or Pelvic Girdle Dysfunction. This can make walking and even moving extremely difficult. SPD is often misdiagnosed in pregnancy and the majority of patients with these symptoms respond incredibly well to Osteopathy

Your osteopath can also:

• Give advice on exercises and stretches and breathing techniques you can do to maintain your health and wellbeing throughout your pregnancy
• Help prepare ‘the way’ for a more trouble free childbirth, by improving flexibility in the pelvis and abdomen
• Help the mother to recover after birth

After the birth you may want to have a mother and baby health check with your osteopath. For mum this will check and correct any remaining strains in the back & pelvis and also help you regain your strength and flexibility. For baby this will address any effects from the moulding process of birth.

If you would like more information our osteopaths will be happy to answer any questions. Call us on 01375 678877 or 01268 774249.