Is it safe to have Osteopathic treatment during pregnancy?

Osteopathy has one of the best safety records of any medically related profession. The techniques used during pregnancy are carefully selected in order to minimise the risk. These techniques are gentle and the comfort of the mother and baby is always assured.

Note: there is little research evidence for osteopathy as yet, but the profession is committed to providing a strong evidence base for its practice.

back to top

Having your baby in the 'right' position during the pregnancy and for engagement and delivery is very important to ensure as much comfort for the mother, and as little stress on the baby as possible. The position of the baby depends on many factors, and what is best for mum and baby may not be the theoretical 'right' position'. What is important is that the baby is not suffering any distress in the position it is in. Osteopaths consider that the posture of the mother, the tension in the spine and surrounding muscles, and also of the ligaments holding the uterus in place (like guy ropes on a tent) all need to be balanced and elastic in order for the uterus to be properly aligned and relaxed and the uterine wall to be supple. This all allows the baby to move around as it would like, and to settle into a comfortable and optimal position for the pregnancy, engagement and labour. If the uterus is tight or held in a slightly awkward position (by tension in the surrounding ligaments, muscles and pelvic and spinal mechanics) then this is thought to interfere with the positioning of the baby, and may lead to malpresentation, and awkwardness in labour. Osteopathic treatment may help to ease these tensions, and may promote a more comfortable birth.

back to top

External massaging and mobilisation of the uterus to stimulate a breech baby to turn is a complex and sometimes risky procedure that must be done by an obstetrician in a hospital set up, in case of complication. Hence it is not something that an osteopath would do in their private practice. However, osteopaths will treat the tensions surrounding the uterus, within the ligaments and soft tissues in the area, and through the pelvis low back, hips and pelvic floor, for example, with the aim of reducing adverse tensions acting on the uterus.

This is thought to 'give more space and freedom' to the uterus and baby, allowing it to turn more easily if it is going to. There is no guarantee that this will help turn the baby, and sometimes, even if the baby does turn, it may turn back to a breech position some hours or days later (which can happen if the obstetrician performs their procedure as well). You will need to discuss things with your osteopath, to see if treatment is appropriate in your case.

back to top

It is always good to see an osteopath after the birth of the baby, as this can help you and your tissues get back to normal as quickly as possible. Sometimes, problems only start to show up after the birth, and back pain can start once you begin to lift and carry your baby. Even breastfeeding can cause problems with the neck and shoulders which can be helped through treatment. Breast soreness and some cases of mastitis may also be eased by treatment to your neck, ribs, shoulders and surrounding muscles, to help with drainage in the breast.

Osteopaths can advise you on lifting, feeding postures, and re-strengthening exercises for your back, abdomen and pelvic floor muscles. Even if you had a tear or an episiotomy and have subsequent scarring into the pelvic floor, treatment can ease this to some degree, making you more comfortable. Sometime, mild cases of bladder prolapse or irritation may also be helped. Discuss the matter with your osteopath for more advice.

Osteopaths can also check your baby for mechanical tensions and strains that he or she might have experienced during the pregnancy or birth. The moulding and torsions that your baby goes through in birth are normal, but can leave them with irritation in the head, neck and surrounding soft tissues that could then contribute to a variety of problems such as colic, poor sleeping, inefficient feeding and so on. Osteopathic treatment, using very gentle mobilisations, is safe right from birth. A lot of mum's bring their babies in for a check at 6 weeks. This does not replace your normal medical and health visitor / midwife checks or visits, but is in addition. The osteopath is looking for mechanical strains and tensions rather than medical problems. See the page on Osteopathy and Children for more details.

back to top