Common Questions about Pregnancy and Osteopathy

Can I see an osteopath while pregnant?

Yes. And the great news is, the osteopaths at Eastern Osteopathy have all completed further studies in the field of pregnancy including:

  • Spinning babies

  • Preparing the pregnant patient for birth

  • Active birth practitioners

  • Visceral osteopathy in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology 

  • Pregnancy and pelvic girdle pain

  • Prenatal yoga and pilates training

Our osteopaths provide the best osteopathic and pregnancy care in Melbourne and suburbs surrounding Kew and Hawthorn.

Can Osteopathy help during pregnancy?

Yes. Our osteopaths have lots of experience treating pregnant patients for a variety of pregnancy related aches and pains including back and pelvic girdle pain, carpal tunnel, light bladder leakage, headaches, hip pain, and round ligament pain. 

Research has shown that pregnant patients who receive osteopathic treatment throughout their pregnancy experienced a reduction in pain intensity during birth, a reduction in the length of their birth and a reduction in episiotomies. 

Osteopathy and pregnancy near me

With two convenient (Kew and Hawthorn) locations in the Eastern Suburbs, Eastern Osteopathy provides expert pregnancy care for the following suburbs, Kew, Hawthorn, Richmond, Abbotsford, Collingwood, Camberwell, Malvern, Hawthorn East, Balwyn, Ivanhoe, Fairfield, Thornberry, Alphington, Toorak, Prahran, South Yarra, Surrey Hills and Melbourne CBD. 

Our osteopaths experience and reputation has seen them treat and help pregnant patients from all over Melbourne and Victoria. 

Our osteopaths provide the best osteopathic and pregnancy care in Melbourne and suburbs surrounding Kew and Hawthorn.

Osteopath treatment after pregnancy

Our Osteopaths are just as passionate about helping the new mother in the postpartum period as they are about helping with pregnancy osteopathy.

We have highly skilled and trained osteopaths in the fields of:

  • Pelvic floor assessment and treatment

  • Coccyx pain

  • Wrist pain

  • Upper back pain associated with feeding

  • Back and pelvic pain

  • Scar treatment

  • Mastitis manual treatment and the use of ultrasound

  • Diastasis recti treatment and rehabilitation

  • Prolapse treatment and rehabilitation

  • Return to running and exercise post baby

  • Our Osteopaths provide the best osteopathic and pelvic health care for new mothers and are passionate about helping our patients transition into their new role as a mother/parent. 

Osteo treatment for Pregnancy and Sciatica

Our Osteopaths have years of experience helping the pregnant patient with sciatica using a variety of osteopathic techniques to help relieve the symptoms associated with pregnancy and sciatica. 

What can an Osteopath treat when pregnant?

Our osteopaths have experience treating pregnant patients with a variety of conditions including: 

  • Lower back pain

  • Pelvic girdle pain

  • Round ligament pain

  • Diastasis recti (abdominal separations)

  • Light bladder leakage

  • Childbirth education

  • Preparation for birth

  • Rib pain

  • Pubic bone pain (pubic symphysis dysfunction)

  • Wrist pain and swelling

  • Mid back and neck pain

  • Foot pain and swelling

  • Headaches and neck pain

Osteo treatment for pregnancy and pelvic girdle pain

At Eastern Osteopathy, all of our osteopaths have completed further studies in the field of osteopathy and pregnancy including pelvic girdle pain. They come with 35 years of combined experience and pride themselves on providing the best osteopathic care for pregnant patients in Melbourne. 

Can my Osteopath help prepare me for birth?

Yes. All of our osteopaths are passionate about creating space in the pelvis of their pregnant patients and enjoy educating their pregnant patients on their upcoming birth and breathing techniques, active birth positions and the use of robozou and exercise balls to help create space during the birth. This education extends to the birthing partners.  

At Eastern Osteopathy we have Osteopaths who are childbirth educators, pelvic health trained, have completed further studies around creating space within the pelvis and who have completed further studies with spinning babies.

Our osteopaths pride themselves on providing the best possible osteopathic care and education for expectant parents. 

Do I need a referral to see an osteopath when pregnant?

No. You do not need a referral to see an osteopath when pregnant. Our osteopaths,  with your permission, will communicate with your medical team including midwife, obstetrician, doula and other allied health professionals to help create the best possible care for you while pregnant.  

Can I have pelvic floor therapy while pregnant?

Yes. Unless you have been told by your healthcare provider not to have vaginal penetration you are able to have internal assessment and treatment of the pelvic floor. 

Our pelvic floor specialist osteopath is expertly trained and experienced in helping to prepare the pregnant patient for birth and assisting with light bladder leakage, pelvic girdle, lower back and pelvic pain associated with pelvic floor dysfunction during pregnancy. 

I’m suffering with light bladder leakage while pregnant, can pelvic floor treatment help?

Yes. Research and professional experience has shown that pelvic floor treatment and rehabilitation can prevent and improve the symptoms of light bladder leakage while pregnant. 

Why would I see a pelvic floor therapist (osteopath) while pregnant? 

You can see a pelvic floor trained osteopath if you are experiencing back, hip or pelvic pain or requiring advice on specific exercise and movement practices.

If you are suffering with any light bladder leakage or prolapse concerns

If you are wanting assistance with preparing yourself and your pelvic floor for birth.  

You need your pelvic floor to be working appropriately during pregnancy, during the birth and after the birth of your little one. Learning how to contract and connect with your pelvic floor and breathe prior to the postpartum period, when it has just stretched over 3 times its normal length with a vaginal birth or you’ve had cesarean birth; helps to facilitate a faster and better recovery post birth. 

Eastern Osteopathy has a pelvic floor trained osteopath who has extensive experience in assisting pregnant patients with pelvic floor assessment and treatment.

Can I have Pelvic floor treatment if I have no specific concern?

You need your pelvic floor to be working appropriately during pregnancy, during the birth and after the birth of your little one. Learning how to contract and connect with your pelvic floor and breath prior to the postpartum period when it has just stretched over 3 times its normal length with a vaginal birth or you’ve had cesarean birth helps to facilitate a faster and better recovery post birth.

Seeing our pelvic floor trained osteopath can assist with helping you connect with your pelvic floor and education on specific pregnancy safe exercises. 

I have abdominal separation and I'm pregnant. Is this ok?

It is estimated that up to 100% of pregnant patients by the third trimester will have abdominal separation (diastasis recti abdominis), this is normal and helps to create space from the growing baby. 

At Eastern Osteopathy, we have osteopaths who are specifically trained in the treatment and rehabilitation of abdominal separation, we believe despite it being normal there are breathing and movement strategies we believe a pregnant patient can integrate into their life to minimise the impact this separation has on their core system, pelvic floor and pelvic and lower back pain.