Postnatal Care: Supporting Moms After Birth

When moms give birth, they are often undertreated individuals. This is partly because the focus tends to be on the health of the baby and sometimes because the mothers themselves are unaware that much postnatal discomfort is actually treatable.

You can feel the effects of pregnancy and labour on your body and mind. Your posture has gradually adapted to pregnancy and now is time to reverse the process. Pregnancy hormones also continue to affect your muscles and ligaments for up to 6 months after birth, making them more lax, which places pressure on the joints, ligaments and discs of the lower back and other joints in your body.

Postpartum Recovery: Navigating the Physical Changes After Pregnancy

For several months, your posture gradually adapted to pregnancy. During the first 6 weeks, the pelvic organs return to their normal condition, and many of the anatomical and physiological changes of pregnancy are reversed. Changes in the musculoskeletal system are slowest to recover, and long term problems in areas most stressed by pregnancy at birth, such as low back and pelvis, pelvic floor and abdominal muscles may be experienced. Pregnancy hormones continue to affect your muscles and ligaments for about 6 months after delivery., making your ligaments and joints more stretchy. Daily motherhood activities such as lifting and breastfeeding may place extra pressure on the muscles, ligaments, joints and discs of your lower back, and other areas of the body.

The rate of recovery following birth is variable and dependent on the fitness of the mother, general medical condition before and after pregnancy, and the type of labour experienced (difficulty of birth, use of instruments)

Common postpartum issues

• Lumbar and thoracic spinal pain, pelvic and sacroiliac joint pain

• Abdominal discomfort following C-section

• Perineal, pelvic floor and coccyx discomfort

• Symphysis pubic dysfunction SPD

• Breast, shoulder and wrist soreness associated with feeding the baby

• Fatigue and headaches

• Post-partum depression

• Urinary stress incontinence

These complaints are common but not normal.

It is very common that when it comes to post-partum issues, especially of gynecological nature such as incontinence and pelvic pain, apart from doing nothing, the go-to treatment proposed is typically painkillers, pelvic floor exercises to do at home or synthetic hormones.

How Osteopathy Can Support Your Healing Journey

It's common for women to experience pain around a C-section scar months after delivery. The scar can become a central point of tension in the body’s fascial system, affecting areas above and below it. Local treatment of the scar tissue, along with fascial unwinding techniques, can reduce discomfort and help address tissue adhesions. We also work to restore balance in the pelvic area, targeting any asymmetries that may affect tissue tension and contribute to discomfort. Restoring lumbo-pelvic stability is also important, as releasing adhesions and mobilizing scar tissue can alleviate both low back and pelvic pain.

When low back or pelvic pain is linked to weak abdominal muscles in the postnatal period, taping can offer temporary external support. This can aid in regaining control during exercises and daily movements, providing extra stability as you recover.

We also provide guidance on self-massage and drainage techniques for the breast to ease any discomfort.

The good news is that osteopathic care can help make the demands of motherhood feel more manageable. It can relieve postural strains from holding and feeding your baby for long periods.

Take it easy in the first few weeks after delivery, be kind to yourself, and don’t hesitate to seek support. We’re here to assist you every step of the way.