Osteopath - Judith O'Sullivan

Osteopathy in Pregnancy

Osteopathic care can be wonderful during pregnancy.

Osteopathy can help to make your pregnancy and labour go as smoothly as possible. Gentle osteopathic techniques are perfectly safe at all stages of pregnancy. The osteopathic approach is a particularly gentle way of working with the body’s own natural mechanism for releasing and re-balancing tensions, without force.

Osteopathy during pregnancy may be of benefit in facilitating an easy passage of the baby through the birth canal. Firstly, it can ensure the pelvic mechanics are moving freely. Secondly, it can aid optimal foetal positioning to accommodate an easier birth for both mother and baby.

Enormous physical, hormonal and emotional changes take place over a relatively short period of time, which can impose physical strain on all organs and tissues. Hormones are released in pregnancy, which slacken the ligaments that bind the joints. The same hormones also soften the ligaments in the spine and uterus which can make them susceptible to injury. These injuries respond well to Osteopathic treatment.

As your baby develops, there will be an increase in volume and weight held in front, making a number of distinct changes in the postural carriage of the body. Osteopathy can help by easing some of the physical discomforts common to pregnancy, and can prepare for the demands of labour as well as help the mother recover after birth. Osteopathic treatment can also help ease other side effects of pregnancy such as heartburn, indigestion, constipation, pain in the lower back, pain in the hip, mid-thoracic, buttock, groin or leg, and pubic symphysis. Treatment can be also beneficial in the post partum (after baby is born) period.

You do not have to have symptoms to see an Osteopath; if you wish, you can simply have an assessment to make sure everything is functioning well for the birth.