Osteopathy and Maternal Health

The hormonal effect to soften connective tissues and enable you to cope with the birthing process is wonderous.  However the internal forces required to birth your baby are amazing.

If you know you have a spinal problem prenatally get it fixed before labour (ideally before you get pregnant or in the second trimester).  The labour will be easier for it.

Prevention of a chronic spinal problem can be achieved with good osteopathic care post-natally and take time to:

• create a good breast feeding position
• correctly lift baby (and all the equipment)
• make bath time fun for your back as well as baby
• exercise (pelvic floor muscles and general stretching at the very least)

Chronic spinal difficulties may be experienced following:

• caesarian section
• epidural
• episiotomy
• long/very fast labours
• inactive labours

Helena Bromley was trained at the European School of Osteopathy in England, she graduated after 4 years full time study in 1995 and works in all fields of osteopathic medicine.  Since the birth of her son Shea in 2001. Helena can be found at her Green Bay, Swanson and West Harbour clinics and can be contacted on 09 416 8849.

Osteopathy And Your Baby

Even the most natural of births is still a difficult journey for your baby.  Nature has provided it with a flexible cranium with bones that can be squeezed together for the trip through the birth canal.  On delivery the cranium expands, hopefully, in a symmetrical and complete way, which then continues to expand and contract in a rhythmical predetermined way throughout life.  However rotational strains and compressions are found even after the most straight forward of labours.  More complicated strains are found after long labours or with forceps or vacuum extraction.  By a strain pattern we mean an area of the cranium that is restricted in its motion and/or held in an unphysiological position.  Caesarian section is not the easy route either especially if it’s emergency and not elective.  Babies born by caesarian don’t have the same squeeze and release ‘kick start’ to their cranial mechanism.  Clinically, caesarian babies are more aware, more active when awake and feed more vigorously after osteopathic treatment.

A growing number of new parents are having their new borns treated on a preventative basis within their first four days of life.  Clients are usually sleep deprived parents at their wits end to know what to try next.  Their babies have sleeping or feeding difficulties, spill or vomit their feeds, have erratic bowel function and may have been diagnosed as having ‘colic’ and may be on medication to ease the symptoms.

Treatment corrects muscle, ligament and membrane tensions and allows normal passage of nerves and blood to and from an area.  Treatment is not confined to the head, shoulders, pelvis and diaphragm can all be stressed by the birthing process.

All techniques for babies require only the lightest touch.  It is not painful but babies are very aware of the changes that are occurring in their bodies.  In general the longer a strain remains in the body the longer it takes to resolve.  Babies seen in the first few days would generally require between 1 – 3 treatments.  If the strain is intrauterine there are more serious consequences if it’s left untreated and it may take longer to resolve.

This delicate yet so resilient new life will take the numerous knocks, falls, high temperatures and teething difficulties that come its way.  This adaptive response does come at a price.  The strain pattern created will remain long after the tears or a possible bruise.

Treating every knock is not practical or necessary.  In general, treat the bigger bumps and treat regularly (from experience every 3 – 4 months in the first year or two would be ideal).  This way this new body will be able to develop without restriction.

Helena Bromley was trained at the European School of Osteopathy in England, she graduated after 4 years full time study in 1995 and works in all fields of osteopathic medicine.  Since the birth of her son Shea in 2001. Helena can be found at her Green Bay, Swanson and West Harbour clinics and can be contacted on 09 416 8849.

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