Pregnancy and after

Osteopathy in pregnancy

Aches and pains are common in pregnancy as your body adapts to the growing size and weight of the uterus. Softening ligaments, weight gain and changes in posture can all put extra pressure on joints, including the spine and pelvis. Osteopathy can help relieve these stresses and strains, during and after pregnancy, and is suitable throughout.

Osteopaths use a range of techniques including manipulation, stretching, massage and more subtle approaches such as cranial. Our care covers more than hands-on treatment: health information, self-management advice and exercise as you need them, throughout pregnancy and beyond.

Pregnancy MOT

You may not be able to do the exercise and activities you did before, or you may want to keep exercising but aren't sure how to do it safely. A Pregnancy (Mum-to-be) MOT with one of our specialist pelvic health physiotherapists assesses your body and helps you cope with the physical demands of pregnancy. As well as a full physical assessment, we'll advise you on preparing for labour and birth, managing symptoms such as sciatica or back pain, and exercising safely with a programme tailored to you.

The Mummy MOT

The Mummy MOT is a specialist postnatal examination after vaginal or C-section births. Your pelvic health physiotherapist, Rachel, assesses how your posture, pelvic floor and tummy muscles are recovering, and gives you gentle exercises and treatment to get you back on track with your fitness and day-to-day goals.

Up to half of all women have weakness in their tummy and pelvic floor muscles after pregnancy, and up to a third still have a tummy gap at eight weeks. That can lead to pelvic or back pain, or bladder, bowel and sexual problems, which aren't things you should just put up with after having a baby. We recommend a first assessment at 6–8 weeks after birth, but we also see women who gave birth years ago.

Your 60-minute assessment

• A full postural screen
• Pelvic floor muscle assessment
• An abdominal check for any separation
• Screening for bladder, bowel or sexual problems
• Advice on safe activity, like lifting your baby or pushing a buggy
• A rehabilitation programme built around your goals and lifestyle
• A written report of the findings

Would you like to talk to one of our pelvic health physiotherapists first? Email info@bristolosteopaths.co.uk or call 0117 377 0518.

Women's Health MOT

A Women's Health MOT is also available with our pelvic health physiotherapists. See pelvic health for the problems we can help with.

Pregnancy massage

Siobhan offers 90-minute pregnancy massage, suitable throughout pregnancy. See massage.

C-section scars

Restore scar therapy can help C-section and abdominal surgery scars, freeing the tissue around and under the scar. See Restore scar therapy.

Who you'll see

Rachel Cox

BSc (Hons), MSc, MCSP, HCPC, POGP

Rachel is a pelvic health physiotherapist specialising in women's health, pregnancy and postpartum rehabilitation. NHS-trained and an advanced yoga teacher, she combines evidence-based pelvic health physiotherapy with yoga-informed movement and breathwork.

More about Rachel

Laura Humphries

B.Ost, MSc (Paediatric Osteopathy)

Laura graduated from the British School of Osteopathy in 2004, where she studied with Nina, and went on to become one of the first in the country to complete a Masters in Paediatric Osteopathy. As part of her MSc she worked for three years at the Osteopathic Centre for Children in London, including its outreach clinic in the premature baby unit at Barnet Hospital.

More about Laura

Siobhan Doherty

Level 3 Sports and Massage Therapy, IAIM trained

Siobhan of SD Massage offers full sports maintenance massage, therapeutic massage tailored to the individual, pregnancy massage suitable throughout pregnancy, and small-group baby massage classes. She trained with the International Association of Infant Massage.

More about Siobhan

Prices