Osteopathy During and After Pregnancy
Pregnancy and labor can be very stressful for women and can result in transient or long-term problems. Osteopathic treatment during pregnancy involves the treatment of the mother in order to alleviate her symptoms and encourage the best possible environment for the development of the baby. In addition, osteopathic treatment of the pelvis to release new and old strains can facilitate an increased chance for an uncomplicated delivery. After birth, some women experience the effects of very difficult deliveries, which can lead to pain and even affect the nervous system, contributing to postnatal depression. Some examples of conditions that osteopathy can help with during the complicated and exciting time of pregnancy and motherhood are as follows:
- back pain: in pregnancy, post delivery, post epidural
- post-labor rebalancing of the mother
- post-caesarean scarring
- discomfort during pregnancy: nausea, heart burn, breathing difficulties, fluid retention, varicose veins, leg and hip pain, pelvic discomfort, sciatica
- preparation of the body for labor
- post-delivery trauma to the pelvis including pubis, sacrum, and coccyx
- post-delivery problems: stress incontinence, headaches, neck/shoulder pain from feeding and lifting
