Pregnancy, Babies and Postpartum Care
Care for you.
Space for your growing family.
Pregnancy, birth and life with a new baby can bring a whole new set of physical demands. I offer time to listen, understand what feels uncomfortable and explore care that fits your stage of life, your recovery and your family.
During pregnancy
Helping you move more comfortably.
As your baby grows, your body adapts. Changes in the way you move and carry weight can place different demands on your back, pelvis, hips and other joints. Everyday activities may begin to feel less comfortable, even when they were easy before.
An appointment gives us time to talk about your pregnancy, health and symptoms, and assess how you are moving. Where osteopathic care is appropriate, we can work together to manage muscle and joint discomfort with treatment adapted to your comfort and stage of pregnancy.
This may include gentle soft tissue work, joint mobilisation and practical advice about movement, activity and comfortable positions. If your symptoms need input from your midwife, GP or another professional, I’ll explain why and help you consider the next step.
What can we help with?
Pregnancy can change how everyday movements feel. Some of the concerns we can assess include:
- Neck and shoulder tension as your body and posture adapt.
- Lower back and pelvic discomfort, including pain that travels into the buttock or leg.
- Hand and wrist discomfort, including symptoms that may be associated with pregnancy-related carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Foot and ankle aches as the demands of standing and walking change.
We’ll discuss what may be contributing to your symptoms and whether osteopathic care is suitable for you. If you’re experiencing digestive symptoms or swelling, your midwife or GP can advise on the most appropriate support.
Support as your pregnancy progresses
If you would like regular support, monthly appointments are available to review how you’re feeling, discuss any new concerns and adapt your care as your pregnancy progresses. We’ll agree on a frequency that suits your needs.
Alongside hands-on care where appropriate, I can offer realistic advice on movement, comfortable positions, suitable exercises and support aids. The aim is to help you feel more comfortable and confident in day-to-day life throughout your pregnancy.
After birth
Recovery at your own pace.
There is no single timetable for feeling like yourself again. Alongside recovery from pregnancy and birth, feeding, lifting, carrying and interrupted rest can make your back, neck and shoulders work in unfamiliar ways.
Postpartum appointments focus on how you feel now and what you would like to get back to. We’ll discuss your pregnancy and birth, your recovery so far and the demands of daily life with your baby.
Support for everyday aches
Assessment may include your back, hips and pelvis, how you move and any activities that bring on discomfort. Hands-on treatment, where suitable, can be combined with manageable exercises and ideas for feeding positions, lifting and carrying.
Why visit an osteopath after birth?
Caring for a new baby asks a lot of your body. Repeated lifting, carrying and time spent feeding or settling your baby can leave you feeling stiff or sore, particularly while you are recovering from pregnancy and birth.
Some of the everyday demands we can talk through include:
- Lifting and carrying your baby, car seat or pram.
- Adjusting to changes in how you stand, sit and move after pregnancy.
- Previous back or joint problems that have become uncomfortable again.
- Spending long periods in feeding positions or bending over to change and soothe your baby.
There is no single recovery timeline, and you don’t need to rush back to how things were before. If aches or stiffness are making daily life harder, an appointment gives us time to understand what is happening and explore ways to help you feel more comfortable.
Where osteopathic care is suitable, gentle hands-on treatment can be combined with practical advice about lifting, carrying, feeding positions and movement. The aim is to support your recovery and help you feel more confident with the physical demands of looking after your baby.
You don’t need to have everything figured out before coming in. We can start with what matters most to you and make a plan together.
Newborns, babies and children
A calm, considered first visit.
When you have a concern about your baby’s movement or comfort, it can help to have time to explain what you’ve noticed and ask questions. A newborn appointment begins with a conversation about your pregnancy, your baby’s birth, their health and your concerns.
With your consent, assessment focuses on how your baby rests and moves, including the movement of their joints and muscles. I’ll explain what I find, whether osteopathic care is appropriate and what other support might be helpful. Any care offered is adapted to your child’s age and individual needs, with their comfort guiding the appointment.
Working alongside your baby’s healthcare team
Osteopathic appointments do not replace your baby’s NHS newborn checks or advice from your GP, midwife or health visitor. Feeding difficulties, poor weight gain, persistent distress or concerns about your baby’s health should be discussed with the appropriate healthcare professional.
Your appointment
Listening comes first.
There is time to talk through your symptoms, ask questions and discuss a plan before any treatment begins. Techniques and positioning are adapted to you, and you can ask to pause or change the approach at any point.
If you’re unsure which appointment to choose for yourself or your baby, please get in touch so we can discuss what you need.
Get in touch
