Q: I’m nine weeks pregnant, this is all very new to me. My girlfriends say osteopathy has really worked for them. What is your professional opinion on how often I come for treatments and exactly what would be the benefits for me and for baby, now and after birth?
A: The reality is you get this one chance to build an incredibly healthy baby; having a good paediatric team onboard is going to offer you and baby the best possible outcome.
You would be wise to choose a team based on its specific paediatric training, osteopathy in particular has a high success rate, over a range of health issues, when applied to pre-conception, during pregnancy and postnatal care of mum and baby. It’s a huge focus group for us; we see around 500 mums, babies and children every year at our clinic.
We offer a unique ‘Parent & Baby Hour’ in the same room with one osteopath treating mum and another osteopath treating baby. Totally independant treatments yet united and in a very ‘safe’ environment. Just the other day we treated mum and triplets – now that was a busy moment!
Personalised Treatments at our ‘Parent & Baby Clinic’
Remember every pregnancy is different because physiologically you are unique, add to this you and baby as a unit – so double that uniqueness and you can start to see how important it is to get an experienced team onboard.
Moving ahead with your personalised programme, we can optimise as required. We are trained specifically to observe, diagnose, give sound medical advice and treat most pregnancy related issues. We have two specialist paediatric osteopaths at Living Osteopathy.
First trimester visit
Structural assessment, medical history, discussing birth plans, recommending other paediatric specialists if required. These may include: dietary, physio-Pilates, midwife, yoga, massage, acupuncture followed by a hands-on osteopathic treatment.
Potentially a time of morning sickness, hands-on treatment assists balancing hormones and nerve supply to the gut. We also look at dietary solutions.
That annoying reflux occurs in 50% of mothers predominantly due to reduced amount of space available in your tummy. Osteo treatment is very effective in creating more space for baby, your organs and much improved comfort.
Second trimester visit
We work with your developing baby and the huge changes to your body and whatever that manifests. We advise and demonstrate correct positions and appropriate pillows for comfortable sleeping, driving and work stations.
Treat old injuries which can become more challenging as you gain 12 to 14 kilos with baby on board.
Third trimester visit
Hands-on treatment can help to correct a breach position and create more space for growing baby, balance of the pelvis, rib cage, encourage muscles of the low back and abdomen to contract and support in a more cohesive manner. This will relax the tension around the womb and reduce the pressure on baby and improves blood supply to the placenta. Most mums report immediate relief of their ribs, pubis or sacrum/low back following treatment.
Post birth care for baby and mother
We offer a unique hospital visit if required. Treatments include cranial, gentle movement and massage-type techniques. By nature, birth is a very physical process, birth strain specifically on a baby’s head and neck, has potential to compress and irritate the delicate nerves in the upper neck. These nerves communicate with the stomach, intestines, skin, muscles and joints of the head and neck, potentially contributing colic or constipation, headaches and neck pain. Restricted neck movement in a baby can also lead to other issues, including feeding problems and flat spots on the head. For mum and baby we treat many varied issues as required.
I asked Gracelio Gregoria, a paediatric osteopath at our clinic, what gives her the edge treating mums-to-be and babies. “ I understand the science of osteopathy and therefore find it beneficial for my patients, but as a mother there is a unique sympatico when I treat mothers, babies and kids: it’s “I see you – I hear you’ moment. I’ve experienced the benefits first-hand with my growing 11 and 16 year old girls. Ear infections, cold symptoms, inability to focus, headaches, ‘growing pains’ and many other issues tend to be shorter-lived with osteopathic treatment.
“When you pick up a baby is has a feeling of fluidity, compared to a toddler. You, as a parent, recognise this, which is why you handle your baby gently and in a supportive way. Our treatments work with these soft bones and tissue to grow strong healthy kids.”
If you have received treatment from our pediatric osteopaths during your pregnancy, we offer a free ‘Wellness Check’ for your newborn. Be sure to book yours in!
(SARAH-JANE ATTIAS)
Disclaimer: This article is for general information purposes only. If you have a specific health problem you should seek advise from an appropriate registered health care provider. Living Osteopathy is a Primary Health Care Provider registered with ACC and the OCNZ. Living Osteopathy does not accept any liability other than to its clients.
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