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Incidence of Pain During Pregnancy
Approximately 80% of pregnant women get back pain. A third of these women describe their pain as disabling, restricting their activity. Approximately 10% of women describe their pain as extremely disabling. Pain is most commonly felt in the following areas:
Pain during pregnancy is more common if overweight, for those that have had pain before during pregnancy and those that have had many pregnancies. Younger women tend to suffer more severe pain than older women.
Common Problems During Pregnancy and Osteopath Treatment During Pregnancy
The growing baby increases the spinal curves of the mother and changes weight distribution and posture. The lower ribs are flared out. Increasing breast size can pull on the upper back and neck. The increase in hormones when pregnant causes a softening of ligaments, which can make joints of pregnant women more susceptible to strains. This can cause pain in the low back, buttocks, groins, legs, ribcage or upper back. Pregnant women can develop nausea, heartburn and circulatory problems such as swelling of the legs and varicose veins as a result of increased pressure inside the abdomen and on the diaphragm. Childbirth itself often causes lumbar and pelvic strains especially with an epidural and/or an assisted delivery. Feeding, lifting and carrying the baby can cause strains. The good news is that all these problems respond very well to osteopath treatment! Philip is very experienced in treating women when pregnant and after childbirth, and uses very gentle techniques. Osteopaths can treat women at all stages of pregnancy, in the position that is most comfortable. There is absolutely no danger to the baby, and in fact osteopath treatment when pregnant may aid the childbirth.
Good exercises for pregnant women are swimming and brisk walking. Yoga or Pilates with a teacher trained in pregnancy is often useful. Flat, supportive shoes are best when pregnant. Pregnant women should sleep a good quality firm mattress, on their side. Sometimes a pillow between the knees is useful.
Exercises For Before and After Childbirth
Please click on the links below to download PDF's. "Pilates Exercises When Pregnant" has a series of abdominal exercises suitable for pregnancy plus some additional exercises. "Yoga During Pregnancy" has an introductory course of yoga for pregnant women. "Pilates Exercises For After Childbirth" has a useful series of exercises for restoring the normal function of the pelvic floor muscles and integrating the core muscles following childbirth.
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Pilates_Exercises_for_Pregnant_Women.pdf [114.58K]