Pregnancy has a huge effect on the mother’s body; during a relatively short period of time, huge physical, chemical and emotional changes take place. Whilst she is pregnant, the mother has to carry considerable extra weight, with a baby, waters and placenta weighing up to 10kg. Understandably, this weight can put a massive strain on the organs and tissues, not to mention the joints and ligaments of the body. For the pregnant mother to be able to adapt to these changes to her body, she has to find new ways to walk, sit and sleep, leading to new aches and pains.
Some of the symptoms that are commonly associated with pregnancy include aches and pains to the back neck and shoulders, muscular tension, groin and lower abdominal pain, sciatica, heartburn, nausea and vomiting. It is unsurprising that these symptoms span the whole body, given the extra strain put on a pregnant woman.
In order to look after her own health and wellbeing, as well as that of her unborn child, it is important for a pregnant woman to try to find ways to ease her pain. Osteopathy focuses on the bones, joints, ligaments, muscles and connective tissue and the ways in which they interrelate with the body as a whole. Given the changes that take place throughout the whole body during pregnancy, osteopaths are well equipped to treat a number of common symptoms.
As well as helping to ease some of the pressures of pregnancy through gentle hands on techniques, Osteopaths can also help by providing advice on different stretches, exercises and breathing activities that the mother can do herself to help maintain her wellbeing throughout pregnancy and to improve flexibility in the pelvis and abdomen. This can also help to prepare her for a less troublesome childbirth.
As well as providing treatment during pregnancy, it is also advised for a mother and child to visit an osteopath for a check-up, and if needs be, for treatment after birth. An osteopath can help to make sure the mother’s body returns to its normal shape quickly after giving birth, as well as helping her to regain flexibility and strength and checking any remaining strains.
It is also important to remember that a baby can suffer from the lasting effects from the moulding process of birth. Osteopathy is very gentle and suitable to help release the stresses and tensions all over the baby’s body, even the head, resulting in a much happier and more comfortable child.
