Treating Expectant Mothers Emma Hayward

Osteopathy & Pregnancy  50% of pregnant woman get LBP  This doesn’t have to be the case  Treatment focused on keeping their pelvis balanced to allow for changes and labour!  Aim to maintain body’s ability to adapt, especially treat the junctional areas as most adaptation needs to happen here.  Assist fluid drainage - and be aware of increased DVT risk and pre-eclampsia  50% of pregnant woman get LBP  This doesn’t have to be the case  Treatment focused on keeping their pelvis balanced to allow for changes and labour!  Aim to maintain body’s ability to adapt, especially treat the junctional areas as most adaptation needs to happen here.  Assist fluid drainage - and be aware of increased DVT risk and pre-eclampsia

Contraindications to Osteopathy in Pregnancy  Suggest no ttt in weeks 8, 12 & 16, as there is an increased risk of natural miscarriage at these points.  Potentially avoid lumbar spine work in the first 12 weeks  Remember RELAXIN! Pt is much more mobile so don’t over treat  Suggest no ttt in weeks 8, 12 & 16, as there is an increased risk of natural miscarriage at these points.  Potentially avoid lumbar spine work in the first 12 weeks  Remember RELAXIN! Pt is much more mobile so don’t over treat

Things to know about:  Bleeding:  bleeding in early pregnancy may be a sign of miscarriage, however not necessarily.  Bleeding in late pregnancy may be a sign of PLACENTA PREVIA (low lying placenta; which may even block the internal OS of the cervix = cesarian section delivary)  Bleeding:  bleeding in early pregnancy may be a sign of miscarriage, however not necessarily.  Bleeding in late pregnancy may be a sign of PLACENTA PREVIA (low lying placenta; which may even block the internal OS of the cervix = cesarian section delivary)

Things to know cont…  Gestational Diabetes:  During pregnancy various hormones can block the function of insulin, helping the growing baby get enough glucose.  Gestational Diabetes occurs when the body can’t meet the extra insulin demands.  Baby is often born big.  Mother has an increased risk of diabetes post pregnancy  Gestational Diabetes:  During pregnancy various hormones can block the function of insulin, helping the growing baby get enough glucose.  Gestational Diabetes occurs when the body can’t meet the extra insulin demands.  Baby is often born big.  Mother has an increased risk of diabetes post pregnancy

More things to know:  Pre-eclampsia:  Increases blood pressure and can affect kidneys, liver, brain and placenta!  It can also harm baby  S&S = persistant HA, visual changes, pain below ribs (usually R), sudden swelling of face, hands & feet, vomiting/nausea.  Medical emergancy so send pt to midwife/GP if suspected  Pre-eclampsia:  Increases blood pressure and can affect kidneys, liver, brain and placenta!  It can also harm baby  S&S = persistant HA, visual changes, pain below ribs (usually R), sudden swelling of face, hands & feet, vomiting/nausea.  Medical emergancy so send pt to midwife/GP if suspected

Advice for Labour  Suggest making a flexible birth plan - helps couples think through issues clearly before the stress of labour  Discuss home or hospital birth - home births often end in less intervention if they end up in hospital than hospital planned births.  Advice on labour positions: let gravity help as much as possible!  Suggest making a flexible birth plan - helps couples think through issues clearly before the stress of labour  Discuss home or hospital birth - home births often end in less intervention if they end up in hospital than hospital planned births.  Advice on labour positions: let gravity help as much as possible!