Pregnancy, Childbirth and Osteopathy
Common pregnancy symptoms which respond to Osteopathic treatment:
Pain, fatigue, heartburn, nausea. vomiting, shallow breathing or diaphragm dysfunction with rib distortion, hemorrhoids, constipation, decreased immune function and consequent frequent infections.
Pregnancy involves a myriad of changes, mentally, emotionally and physically. The developmental process of becoming pregnant and carrying a fetus, even for a few weeks creates changes which can have a powerful effect on our minds and bodies. Women undergo entire body remodeling in order to carry the combined weight of fluid, baby and placenta and this can cause a significant strain on all of their organs and structures.
Women seek Osteopathic treatment in order to prepare their bodies to carry a baby, to facilitate the adaptations necessary to being pregnant and to heal from pregnancy loss and/or to heal from the processes of a vaginal or Cesarean delivery. In preparation for childbirth, Osteopathic evaluation and treatment allows the physician to assess and work to normalize or improve the structural balance in the pelvis, pelvic organs, musculature and ligaments. This can improve the capacity of a smoother passage through the birth canal and support the possibility of a vaginal birth.
As the fetus develops, the demands on our tissues, skeletons, organs, hormonal system and nervous system can result in changes in the overall shape of the musculoskeletal system, the hip sockets, even aspects of the cranium, depending on the age of the mother. Because of the growing size and weight of the fetus, women must change their postural mechanics to manage carrying a pregnancy and most women complain of various aches and pains resulting from the ligamentous and skeletal changes adapting to pregnancy.
Although women’s bodies are designed to change with pregnancy, if an individual has certain pre-existing factors, they may have more symptoms associated with pregnancy adaptations. For example, prior abdominal or pelvic surgery, history of a limb fracture, or pre-existing pain, may change the character of the anatomical features which contribute to those problems, and Mom may become more taxed by making space for the growing fetus.
On the other hand even women who have a relatively easy pregnancy find that their sense of well-being often improves significantly with regular treatment during pregnancy and that their flexibility for navigating the birthing process and recovery is improved with the benefits of a healthier system supported by Osteopathic care. Some patients require a few visits, others benefit from coming at similar intervals to their pre-natal checks. Treatment is tailored to your situation.
Occasionally women will come late in pregnancy for issues such as pain, infections which they prefer to treat naturally, or requesting an evaluation of Fetal lie. Frequently, toward the end of pregnancy the fetus must move into a position which provides the most space for growth. The fetal position may place further stress on Mom’s musculoskeletal system and pain can be alleviated in many cases with gentle Osteopathic manipulation.
If the fetus is growing in the transverse (sideways), or breech (foot or buttocks down) position, the Obstetrician may schedule a Version; which is an intervention requiring the Obstetrician to manually move the baby under ultrasound guidance into a more correct position. In some cases the reason for the fetal lie has to do with a miscommunication in an organizational system responsible for orienting the fetus. In other cases, the position is simply the safest and best position for the fetus to grow in. Osteopathically trained physicians, trained in assessing these parameters, may be able to help the baby to do the turning by itself without any manipulation.
Some women find t
hat their pregnancy is extending past the due date and come for Osteopathic treatment to stimulate the onset of labor. Again, the traditional way to help initiate labor Osteopathically will only work if the other physiologic factors are aligned to create this result. The treatment can be attempted if and when the pregnancy is “post-dates” and/or the obstetrician has suggested the use of medication and/or procedures to induce labor.
Both vaginal and Cesarean deliveries make significant physical and emotional demands on the mother. Often labor takes place in a variety of positions as does pushing. A first time mother may have different strains in her system from this process than one who has delivered previously. Osteopathic treatment (O.M.T.) is designed to help tissues recover their normal circulation, lymphatic drainage, position, neurologic relationships, tone and structure. Every aspect of anatomy is considered from the full musculoskeletal system to fascial state, organ position, circulation etc. Not only the position of the parts of the whole but their individual and comprehensive function is an important part of treatment and osteopathic support.
The emotional balance created by a well tuned system is beneficial to mother’s having just given birth. For example, the Osteopathic literature mentions “sacral-sag” as a mechanical etiology for post-partum depression for first time mothers who have had a challenging vaginal delivery with significant traction and/or displacement of the sacrum during the birth process. The dural membranes attach at the second sacral segment and also at the upper neck and base of the skull. These same membranes are part of the system which wraps around the brain and can create mechanical stimulus changes which affect microcirculation and neuronal function. Gentle treatment of the sacrum and pelvis can alleviate this issue and the physician can assess other potential sources for depression such as sleep deprivation, pre-existing depression, other familial stressors, hormonal changes, dietary changes, and of course adapting to a new family member and new roles in the family. Your treatment may involve availing yourself of a variety of different supportive measures, guided by your physician in response to your personal needs.
Women healing from a Cesarean section can also benefit from Osteopathic treatment particularly to entice the skeletal and organ patterns to resume functioning closer to the pre-natal state. One of the interesting findings for the Osteopathically trained physician is that although the uterus slowly returns to the post-partum position and size, the peritoneal and fascial tissues often will remain in the pattern of the last trimester fetal position unless addressed through treatment. This pattern is palpable to most physicians doing Osteopathic work and once resolved benefits other aspects of healthy function after pregnancy. Because circulation, diaphragmatic function, diaphragmatic breathing, lymphatic drainage and many other participants in bodily Health respond positively to O.M.T., wound healing will often improve more rapidly after treatment as well.
In summary, most women find that they recuperate more rapidly, they feel better, sleep better and have more energy after delivery when they have received Osteopathic treatment support.