The pregnant Women

A women’s back and pelvis is particularly vulnerable during pregnancy because of the stress caused by carrying the unborn baby. The most obvious factor is the dramatic adaptation the musculoskeletal system must make to accommodate the forward shift in the centre of gravity. This as well as hormonal changes make the ligaments throughout the spine and pelvis more supple, and therefore at a greater risk to sprains and strains.It has been documented that up to 96% of women have been shown to suffer back or pelvic pain during pregnancy, with the onset mainly in the third trimester although sooner in multiparous women.

Pain has been documented in the back and pelvis, sides, uterine area as well as legs groin and pubis, which is due to the significant muscular strain placed on the mother’s muscles and ligaments by the growing child.

Care after birth

It has been found that women with low back pain during pregnancy continue to be at high risk of pain for more than 10 years after the birth.

The process of childbirth places great strain on the mother’s spine and pelvis, as well as the supporting musculature. The action of the hormones also continues to have an effect on making ligaments suppler for up to 4 months after the birth.

Care for the child

Significant stress on the head and spine can occur even during the most straightforward birthing process, and even more so in forceps and vacuum extractions. This in babies can lead to symptoms such as, prolonged crying, sleep and feeding problems and colic. We get our children’s teeth and eyes checked regularly so why not get there spines checked too?

How the chiropractor can help

Chiropractic care can help correct any restricted joint movements and maintain spinal balance as well as ensuring the pelvis is correctly aligned both before and after the baby is born.

The chiropractor can accurately identify the source of pain in order to dictate the treatment. This can involve soft tissue muscle massage, pelvic blocking and gentle manipulation. All techniques are modified to ensure comfort and safety to the mother and child.

Many difficult labours result from the malpresentation of the baby. By treating the spine and pelvis the chiropractor prepares the mothers musculoskeletal system and the babies position in the womb for birth, thus decreasing birthing times and complications of labour.

Adjustments and pelvic exercises aid a faster return of the new mums shape and health and decreases the risk of back pain that may initially be absent but often presents as the child grows.

Chiropractic care should be considered for all women who want a healthy, comfortable pregnancy and easier labour and many women return after the physical stress of childbirth for checkups for themselves and their children.

Dr Rachel Hippolyte, DC,  RN, Bsc hons chiropractic

Central City Chiropractic

Upper

Perth 6000

08 9221 4567

Popularity: 71% [?]

One of the great joys in pregnancy is decorating the nursery for the arrival of your new baby.  Options for your newborns nursery are endless from wall murals to floor rugs and everything in between. The costs for your new nursery can also become endless.  

Parents have moved away from just painting there children’s bedroom in traditional pastel colours with “Winny the Poo” stickers and are seeking to immerse there children in a warm and stimulating environment.  The Melbourne Herald Sun Newspaper recently published an article highlighting that some parents are spending up to $30,000 on designer bedrooms with decorating becoming as complex as to included painted walls and designer furniture and accessories. 

Owner of Murals 4 Kids, Jeanita Pearson said “They are designed to last many years and capture children’s imaginations.  Children can safely playing with many items such as fish and butterflies.  We started our business in February and have been supplying our products to private homes, childcare and play centers around the world.  Both children and parents love our products.  We have been shipping our products around the world”.

Popularity: 100% [?]

By Natalie Burgess

Many women approach labor and birth with uncertainty about their ability to birth their baby. Yoga encourages women during pregnancy to become familiar with their bodies, learning to listen to the natural and instinctive knowledge within themselves, guiding them in their journey of belly, birth and baby.

The regular practice of yoga tones the entire body; correcting posture, strengthening bones and muscles, facilitating the intake of breath and increasing energy levels. Common discomforts of pregnancy can be reduced with the regular practice of yoga. Lower back discomfort, a common complaint in pregnancy, can be reduced with a variety of yoga poses that teach correct muscular and skeletal alignment, whilst strengthening the abdominal and spinal muscles, which also facilitates a return the pre pregnancy shape.

As a woman approaches her estimated due date optimal positioning of the baby for birth can be achieved with the regular practice of yoga. Poses in which the focus is on the opening of the pelvis, encourage the baby to adopt a head down position, simply as this is more comfortable for the baby, as opposed to their head pressing into their mother’s diaphragm and rib cage. Squatting, or a modified squatting pose, and an all 4’s position encourages this pelvic opening, and gives the mother-to-be a familiarity with the sensation of her body opening up, in preparation for birthing her baby.

Yoga promotes the release of endorphins, as it relaxes the central nervous system and calms the mind. Endorphin levels rise in late pregnancy, as the body prepares for childbirth, and peak from 38 weeks onward and into labor. Regular practice of yoga in pregnancy allows the mother-to-be to relax and maximize endorphin release, in turn facilitating the release of oxytocin in labor, thereby initiating and maintaining rhythmic uterine activity. Endorphins are decreased in times of stress and anxiety, research indicating that stress and anxiety disrupts and prolongs labor, as the release of adrenaline in response to stress inhibits the action of endorphins and oxytocin.

In pregnancy and labor yoga facilitates relaxation and breath awareness. Oxygen is required in labor to supply and facilitate optimum functioning of the working uterine muscle. Focusing on keeping the breath smooth and steady allows the birthing mother to relax, therefore promoting release of endorphins and oxytocin, and focus on the birth of her baby. Regular, relaxed, calm breath ensures the baby is receiving all the oxygen rich blood (via the placenta) they require for healthy growth and development, and during the process of labor and birth.

Yoga works to balance the physical body and positively influence the chemical balance of the brain. Forward bends calm the central nervous system, facilitating the release of endorphins, decreasing tension. Sitting poses remove tension from the diaphragm promoting effective inhalation and exhalation, while also flushing the pelvis with oxygenated blood, facilitating the work of the uterus and maximising oxygen to the baby.

The following modified yoga poses can be used to reduce pain and discomfort in labour, maximising endorphin release and promoting optimal positioning of the baby and pelvis for birth.

Standing, supported forward bend

This position is useful for resting in between contractions, the key being that the forehead is resting. This position can be used:

• In the shower with the forehead resting against the tiles
• Forehead resting on support persons shoulder
• Forehead resting on a wall
• Forehead resting forward onto a chair or the bed

This is an upright position, but the principles remain the same in any sitting position in which the forehead is resting, e.g. sitting in the bath with the forehead resting on the edge of the bath.

All fours

• Incorporating pelvic tilt to relieve pressure on lower back, allows opening of the pelvic cavity
• Can be adapted to suit most situations, such as knees on the floor with head, arms and upper chest resting on the bed, birth ball, chair or support person
• Useful for lower back discomfort associated with a posterior labor

It is strongly recommended yoga is practiced with a qualified yoga instructor, who is familiar with the pregnant and postnatal aspects of yoga. . Always conduct yoga practice on an empty stomach and in a safe, clutter free environment.

Copyright © Yoga Baby Bliss 2007 - ABN 96 282 733 677

Popularity: 34% [?]

Yoga Principles for New Mothers

By Natalie Burgess 

The postnatal period is a time of adjustment for all new mothers, as they recover from the physical effort of labor and birth, and begin life with their beautiful baby.  Yoga facilitates the return of post pregnancy stamina, tone and fitness, and encourages the new mother to  respond instinctively to her baby. 

Yoga allows the new mother to improve posture, helping to alleviate everyday discomforts associated with the postnatal period and caring for a new baby.  The priority as a new mother, is to maintain correct spinal alignment, and strengthen the pelvic floor.  New mothers will often have muscular aches and pains the day after delivery, perhaps as a result of remaining in one position too long, and certainly from using muscle groups specific for labor and birth.  For the first few days after birth a new mother can start with simply posture awareness, to reduce lower back fatigue and work towards the beginnings of regaining core muscle strength.

• Ensure that when moving in and out of a chair or a bed, that strain is not placed on the spine, or upon weakened abdominal muscles.  Draw the navel back to spine, lifting the pelvic floor.
• Caesarean  section mums need to  avoid ‘bending into’ their abdominal wound (which causes curvature of the spine) to compensate for any discomfort. 

Energy levels are depleted after labor and birth. The days and weeks of getting to know a new baby, breast feeding and becoming accustomed to the demands of a newborn, further depletes the bodies energy stores.

• Sleep when your baby sleeps
• Eat simple, frequent, nutritious meals
• Relaxed breath, soft face

Basic yoga principles allow the new mum to conserve energy levels, promoting a relaxed mind and body.  Yoga promotes the release of endorphins, the bodies’ natural opioid, encouraging a relaxed state of mind, and reducing onset or severtity of symptoms of postnatal depression. Yoga also facilitates the intake of oxygen, energizing muscles and calming the mind. Following birth a womans ligaments remain softened, due to the influence of the pregnancy hormone relaxin.  It is important to remember that it is easy to cause  injury if recommencing some activities too soon after birth, such as jogging.  Regular practice of yoga teaches women to be aware of their pelvic floor, abdominal and back muscles, therefore promoting pelvic floor strength and awareness. Following birth, it is still very important to maintain correct posture to avoid injury or strain.  

To correct standing posture, ensure the baby is kept close to the chest when being held

• Stand with feet hip width apart
• Strengthen the leg muscles
• Tuck the bottom in
• Open the chest and release the shoulders
• Relax the jaw and face

Take care when placing babies in and out of a car seats.

• Use the legs, not back, when maneuvering with baby and car seat
• Bend into a squat when moving the pram in and out of the car

Some basic points (for posture) to keep in mind while breastfeeding.

• If sitting, ensure that the back is supported, perhaps with a pillow
• If the feet do not comfortably reach the floor, use a pillow or foot stool, therefore ensuring the lower back and hips are correctly aligned

• Relax the shoulders, feeling the tips of the shoulders relaxing down and away from the ears
• Feel the neck lengthen as the shoulders release down
• Soften the face, relax the jaw
• Take a moment to practice relaxing and calming the breath

Yoga not only provides the new mother with the opportunity to improve posture and reduce discomfort, but also gives a wonderful opportunity to simply (and quietly) observe their baby.  As a general guide, the daily cycle for a baby (0-6mnths) will include:

• Feed
• Play (length of time varies dependent on age), active alertness
• Sleep (again length of time will vary)
• Quiet alertness

Quiet Alertness is the time in which a baby is happy to observe their environment and will sit or lay contentedly.  The length of time each baby is happy to be a quiet observer is variable, and influenced by their unique little personality.  During this time of quiet observation, a new mother may discover that intuitively responding to their baby’s needs will result in a content and relaxed baby, and a happy, relaxed mother. 

It is strongly recommended that you practice yoga with a qualified yoga instructor, who is familiar with the pregnant and postnatal aspects of yoga.  .  Always conduct your yoga practice on an empty stomach and in a safe, clutter free environment. 

Copyright © Yoga Baby Bliss 2007 - ABN 96 282 733 677 

Popularity: 28% [?]