Treatment of pregnant and post partum mothers offers a means of adjusting to the physiological and postural changes of pregnancy and delivery.  It is a wonderfully gentle way of helping the body to adapt to the changes taking place.

For many women pregnancy means having to cope with a whole range of symptoms from back pain to morning sickness.  As the baby grows in the womb, extra weight results in changed centre of gravity, and posture changes from week to week.  This can lead to a variety of aches and pains.  As breast weight increases this also causes changes, and pain may occur in the upper back and neck.  Osteopathic treatment may help to relieve the aches and pains caused by growth in the size of the baby and the accommodation of the mother to this.  

Osteopaths can also help to ease other side effects of pregnancy:

• Heartburn

• Indigestion

• Constipation

• Pubic symphysis disorder

• Pain in buttocks, groin or legs

• Morning sickness

• Oedema

• Carpal tunnel symdrome

Osteopathy can also help to prepare the body for labour.  By ensuring that the upper back, low back and pelvis are functioning efficiently it allows mother to be as comfortable as possible during labour, and helps the pelvis to expand efficiently helping babys head to descend.  Treatment also addresses function of both the thoracic and pelvic diaphragms, which help push baby out during labour..

A post natal check of the mother can help her to avoid poor mental and physical health, both in the short term, as she devotes all her time to the new baby, and in the long term, as it can help to prevent and correct the physical traumas which result from childbirth. 

Rapid or very long labours, and assisted deliveries can leave strains within the pelvis.  Osteopathy can help to resolve these strains, reduce bruising and aid recovery.  Following caesarean sections it is important to support the back due to the lack of an abdominal corset and treatment can also help to ease any pain remaining at epidural sites. 

Mother and baby checks

After delivery it is advised that mother and child return for structural examination, advice and check ups and if necessary for treatment.   Many childhood ailments can be traced back to traumas and strains received at birth, while a new mother's wellbeing may similarly be compromised for months and even years to come.  The sooner an osteopath is able to diagnose and treat a baby, the easier it is for the balance within that child to be restored.