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Article 3
Osteopathic Care during pregnancy
During a normal pregnancy, the maternal body has to adjust
to carrying up to 28lbs of water, baby and placenta. Every day the
mother has to adapt to rapid changes in her physiology and posture,
more than just the growth of the uterus and tummy that is the outward
representation of the amazing feat her body is performing. Her metabolic
rate will increase by 25%, her heart rate by 40% and her breathing
rate will also increase to adapt to the changes. The maternal digestive
system becomes sluggish and the sphincters at the top of the stomach
relax under the influence of the hormones that are also relaxing
the ligaments in preparation for the birth. The need for rest becomes
overwhelming at certain stages as the body works hard to support
the pregnancy. One friend of mine said, “you know you are pregnant
when the pavement starts to look comfortable!”
On the whole, in a normal, healthy pregnancy, the body should be
able to adapt to these changes and the mother need not suffer any
serious aches or pains. However, considering the enormous demand
placed on the structure of the body, it is not surprising that many
women do experience back and joint pains or other ailments during
the nine month metamorphosis. If there are old strains, injuries
or areas of tension in the body, then these can compromise the body’s
ability to integrate the changes demanded of it.
Sadly some people see pain or discomfort during pregnancy as inevitable
and content themselves with the fact that at least it has a definable
timescale to it! Comments from those around the mum, both professionally
and personally, may be that problems such as nausea, heartburn, varicose
veins and aches and pains are all part of what she must go through
to have this baby. This is similar to someone saying punctures are
inevitable in a car so we might as well drive around on flat tyres.
Living with unwanted symptoms can spoil what could otherwise be an
enjoyable, amazing time. It may also impede a smooth delivery. Labour
requires full movement of the spine and pelvis as the birth canal
opens to emit the baby. The diaphragm works hard to aid the contracting
uterus and during the pushing stage is the main organ that will make
efficient pressure to deliver the baby. If body structures are strained
already, their ability to effectively play their part in the process
of labour may be compromised. Ultimately, the baby is delivered but
unresolved tensions may alter your birth plan in terms of pain, unwanted
analgesia or the requirement for assisted delivery such as venteuse
or forceps.
Osteopathic treatment is an option that expectant mums can use to
relieve the ailments of pregnancy and prepare for labour. In looking
at the body as a whole, an Osteopath will assess the muscles, joints,
diaphragms and other structures of the body to see if there are strains,
disturbances or tensions affecting their function. They aim to return
the body to its self-regulatory state in which daily activities are
easily reacted to, without any pain or problems. Never is this more
important than in pregnancy when such enormous and continuous changes
are taking place. It is essential that body structures are both strong
and, at the same time, able to release to allow for the expansion
of the growing baby, the normal working of the maternal organs and
ultimately the birth process. An Osteopath will use a variety of
techniques, such as stretching of the muscles, rhythmic movement
and freeing of the joints and treatment of the cranium and pelvis,
to restore harmony to the body. In this way, Osteopathy is very effective
at relieving symptoms in pregnancy that many people take for granted.
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