Pregnancy and Birth Preparation
Pregnancy is a challenging time for everyone and here at Cranbourne Osteopathy we have many services on offer that may help you navigate your way through key parts of your pregnancy and birth.
Our therapists are all qualified with additional training to offer these pregnancy services and have helped many of our clients before you; some of us are parents ourselves so we have experienced it first hand as well.
Our services
Osteopathy during pregnancy
Our osteopaths can help you address the common aches and pains that arise during pregnancy. We will assess you and your growing belly and create an individualised treatment plan to address your specific pregnancy complaints.
Our osteopaths can also work on the ligaments and fascia of your uterus and pelvis ensuring they are moving optimally, creating more space for your baby and allowing your body to better adjust and compensate for the growing size of your uterus and baby.
Common presentations during pregnancy include
Back pain
Carpal tunnel
Cramping or achey legs
Headaches
Abdominal discomfort such as bloating or constipation
Pelvic floor health and birth preparation
Some of our osteopaths have undergone further training to provide internal pelvic floor assessment and treatment during pregnancy for those who may need it.
The goal of our treatment is to ensure your pelvic floor is functioning correctly and will be used as one part of a comprehensive management plan tailored specifically for your body and your presentation.
This may include internal techniques to release the pelvic floor muscles to assist with aches and pains and to help you in preparation for your upcoming birth. We can also provide assessment and treatment for light bladder leakage, prolapse or any other pelvic health complaints that commonly arise during pregnancy. You can read more about our pelvic health appointments here.
A common question we are asked is “can I have an internal pelvic floor assessment and treatment while pregnant?” For most people, yes you can from the second trimester onwards. There are some pregnancy related conditions that may exclude some people from an internal approach during some or all of their pregnancy. A general rule for internal treatment during pregnancy is, if you are cleared for penetrative sex with your partner, then you can have an internal assessment with your osteopath. Your osteopath will discuss this with you at your appointment to ensure you are a suitable candidate before going ahead.
Our pelvic health osteopaths will also educate you on
Safe exercise during pregnancy
Pelvic floor relaxation techniques
Movements to help create space for baby
Spinning babies and optimal positioning
Tips for minimising perineal tearing
Pain management strategies
Perineal care post-birth
Ceasarean Births
Any way you bring your baby into the world is a valid and beautiful birth option, and we’re here to support you in preparation and in your recovery.
Sometimes a caesarean is the best choice for the mother in front of us; other times it’s recommended unexpectedly as pregnancy unfolds. Whether your caesarean is a planned decision or unplanned, we can help you create the most positive and empowering experience possible. During your appointments we’ll discuss the options you have during pregnancy and the preferences you can request for your caesarean birth. We’ll also guide you through what a caesarean birth means for your body, both immediately afterwards and during your recovery; we'll offer support for returning to exercise, releasing the scar tissue and getting you back to your pre-birth function. For more details, please see our Caesarean Birth Recovery and Scar Release information page (coming soon).
Six week pelvic floor assessment
Our osteopaths are highly trained in the area of internal pelvic floor assessment and are passionate about the importance of completing a thorough postpartum pelvic floor assessment.
The goal of this assessment is to identify any concerns with your pelvic floor after pregnancy and birth and create a treatment plan specific to your needs and goals. Note that this is a recommended appointment for anyone postpartum, not just those you have a vaginal birth.
This appointment will involve assessing the strength, timing and coordination of your pelvic floor muscles on activation and to look for any tension present in the pelvic floor muscles that may be impacting their function. Your osteopath will also address any pelvic floor symptoms you may be experiencing, as well as assess you for pelvic organ prolapse, diastasis recti and any scar tissue that may require treatment.
Ready to book in
If any of our above services sound like something you need then reach out to us today! We would love to be a part of your motherhood journey.
