Osteopaths are trained to treat people through all stages of life, and pregnancy is no exception. In fact, the demands of pregnancy on the body make it a key time to seek support.
From the first few weeks of pregnancy, the body begins to release the hormone “relaxin”, which loosens the ligaments around the pelvis in preparation for birth. However, it also has wider reaching effects. Combined with other hormonal changes, it can lead to lower back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome to name a couple. As pregnancy progresses and the bump grows, we begin to adapt to changes in the center of gravity, which alter the posture and can lead to a lower cross syndrome position.
Lower Back Pain
The combination of mechanical and postural changes make back pain in pregnancy very common. Many cases will resolve at birth, but more severe cases such as pelvic girdle pain and SPD are very worth addressing earlier. Bear in mind that significant pelvic pain may limit your options for positioning in labour, and some cases will require crutches or support belts to manage the last few weeks of pregnancy. Earlier intervention gives the body time to produce better results, so don’t hesitate to make an appointment if you start to feel persistent aches and pains. Sciatica can also be an issue in pregnancy, due to similar processes to those mentioned above. During a period when your medication options are limited, you might find that hands-on treatment like Osteopathy is ideal for you.
Diastasis Recti
And from about 20 weeks, almost all pregnancies will have caused separation of the abdominal muscles. This is not inherently problematic, and there is no benefit to diagnosing this before at least six weeks postpartum. But understanding what’s happening to the body gives us the opportunity to train around it and make future healing easier. If these muscles remain separated for a significant period after birth it’s known as diastasis recti.
More mild cases can be resolved with specifically targeted exercises, but in some cases will remain significant without surgical intervention. Unfortunately diagnosis and monitoring of diastasis recti is not routine in maternity care. Your osteopath can assess the length and depth of a diastasis quickly and easily.
Signs and symptoms of diastasis recti are less about pain and more about visible “coning” on after engagement that remains much longer than you would anticipate it. This bulge is likely to show during exercises like crunches and sit-ups, or anything that raises pressure within the abdomen.
Postpartum
Once you have given birth, your body will slowly begin to heal. But first you need to adapt to the sudden change in the abdomen. You might find things like lifting heavy items harder in the early postpartum period then at the end of pregnancy because of the change in pressure dynamics. The irony of this difficulty being that a newborn and car seat are likely heavier than the weight carried in a full term uterus!
Remember to look after your pelvic floor and rehabilitate it early and gently. This will help with continence and reduce your risk of pelvic organ prolapse. And be aware that carrying a baby and breastfeeding can also demand a lot of the body from a postural perspective. A review with your osteopath in the first few weeks postpartum might be helpful. We can assess any lingering adaptations and encourage your body to get back to a more efficient position.
Osteopathic Treatment
Treatment is gentle especially during pregnancy. Due to these hormonal changes less effort is generally required to make a change. However if appropriate and desired stronger techniques like manipulation may still be an option for you. Exercises and lifestyle advice can be particularly helpful during this period, just know that there’s no judgment if you can’t stick to your exercises with a newborn!
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