Pregnancy is such a beautiful time, but some expectant mums can really struggle with various types of aches and pains. Sciatica is a term often misused to describe a lot of types of pain felt in the lower back and buttocks region. True Sciatica is irritation of the Sciatic nerve, passing from the lower back where it originates, through the buttocks region and into the back of the thigh and lower leg. The symptoms associated with Sciatica include pins and needles, numbness and weakness in the back of the thigh to the lower leg and foot, with sharp, shooting pain.

How is a pregnancy osteopath different from a regular osteopath?

A general and pregnancy osteopath have both completed the 5years masters study in New Zealand but a pregnancy Osteopath has a special interest in pregnancy and more of a focus and skill set based on pregnancy. I have done a lot of extra professional development courses and study on pregnancy and postpartum. I have such a love for supporting women through their pregnancy journey into motherhood.

Getting good, quality sleep in pregnancy is so important yet for many pregnant women it is no easy task. There are a wide varity of reasons sleeping in pregnancy can be difficult. Around 75% of pregnany women struggle with sleep at some stage during pregnancy and this further increases to 98% in the third trimester. But it is not all doom and gloom, some simple changes can make the world of difference.

Common causes of sleep disruption in pregnancy

Unfortunately a common complaint during pregnancy is reflux. That burning sensation in the back of your throat and chest.

Cause: When we eat, food passing down the esophagus into the stomach, but to stop the food going back up our throat, there is a sphincter/valve. In pregnancy the Relaxin hormone can make this valve weak thus allowing food and stomach acid back up the esophagus and creating the burning feeling.

The pelvis is made up of the left and right innominate bones which are 3 bones (Ischium, Ilium & Pubis) fused together, sacrum and coccyx. This is the bony structure that houses & protects the pelvic reproductive organs, nerve + blood + lymphatic supply to the pelvis & lower limbs, lower gastrointestinal tract and urinary organs. The joints of the pelvic girdle include the left and right sacroiliac joints, symphysis pubis joint (between the left and right pubic bones) and sacrococcygeal joint (sacrum & coccyx). The pelvic girdle has further joints connecting the pelvis to the lower back between L5 (last lower back bone) and sacrum (L5-S1) and the pelvis to the left and right hip (Femoral head and the acetabulum, which is parts of the innominate).

Abdominal separation is one of the most common conditions that occurs in pregnant women. Diastasis Recti means that during the course of pregnancy, your abdominal muscles (Rectus Abdominus muscles) separate. The Rectus Abdominus muscle runs vertically from the Xiphoid process and costal cartilage of ribs anteriorly (the front) to your pubic bone in the

pelvis.

Osteopathy is a safe and effective form of hands-on, physical therapy, that treats the whole body, aiming to find the cause, rather than just treating the patients symptoms. This begins at the case history, asking about the presenting area/s of pain, general medical and pregnancy questions. Examination is also of the whole body, looking for all areas of the body that are not functioning as well as possible. This may include one leg longer than the other, a twist/rotation in the pelvis, spinal restriction, tight muscles and so on.

Every birth is unique, but there are some common physical and psychological changes that occur in those first few days. Your midwife or obstetrician will discuss with you some of the common things you may notice after birth and the symptoms to look out for. Always speak to your health professional if you have any concerns and to check your symptoms are normal.

One of the most common aches and pains in pregnancy, is back pain. The area of the back most affected is the lower back, in the lumbar spine but additionally some women get pain in the mid or upper back, known as the thoracic spine. The lower back undergoes a vast amount of anatomical changes during pregnancy. This is to accommodate the growing baby, and change in your centre of gravity. During the course of your pregnancy, the curve in your lower back slowly flattens and can disappear. Your pelvis/hips can also rotate forwards to accommodate the baby too.