Osteopathy can be of great benefit to pregnant women, as they have to cope with a whole range of symptoms from back pain to heartburn and morning sickness. As the baby grows in the uterus, the extra weight causes the centre of gravity of the body to change. As a result, the mother’s posture can change from week to week. Treatment throughout pregnancy can help the body adapt to the changes which are taking place.

The safety of the mother and baby is the osteopath’s first concern.

After taking a thorough case history and examining the patient, gentle osteopathic treatment may help to relieve the aches and pains caused by the growth of the baby and also to prepare the woman’s body for the birth.

Osteopaths can offer advice on how to change your posture to use your body correctly during the pregnancy.

Osteopathy can help ease other symptoms associated with pregnancy.

 

For example:

After the baby is born, it is important for both mother and child to be checked to ensure that any variations that may have been created by either the pregnancy or labour can be addressed.

Post-natal problems with incontinence, depression, coccyx pain and pelvic pain may respond favourably to osteopathic treatment.

Breast feeding can sometimes lead to back and shoulder pain. An osteopath can use simple techniques to alleviate this.