Alternative Maternity Gentle alternatives for pregnancy and birth

Pregnancy is a state of health. Labour is a normal physiological process. Both can on many occasions proceed without adversity and without the need for intervention. Nevertheless, many of the normal physical and emotional symptoms of pregnancy can be startling. Pregnancy puts a good deal of strain on a woman's body - a strain that can be manifested as constipation, backaches, nausea and emotional upheaval.

Aromatherapy and Massage

Massage can stimulate the immune system and help combat anxiety and depression. A group of depressed adolescent mothers in one study were randomly assigned to either relaxation therapy or massage therapy for 10 half hour sessions over five weeks. Only those mothers receiving massage therapy showed both behavioural and stress-hormonal changes, including a decrease in anxious behavior, pulse rate and salivary cortisol levels. A decrease in urine cortisol levels also suggested reduced stress following therapy (Adolescence, 1996; 31: 903-11).

Labour pain may also be reduced through massage therapy. In one small study, 28 women were recruited from prenatal classes and randomly assigned to receive massage in addition to coaching in breathing from their partners during labour or coaching in breathing only. The massaged mothers reported less anxiety, depressed mood and pain. In addition, the massaged mothers experienced significantly shorter labours, shorter hospital stays and less depression postnatally (J Psychosomatic Ob Gyn, 1997; 18: 286-91).

Essential oils have their uses postnatally as well. One famous research study found that women that added essential oil of lavender to their baths for 10 days postnatally experienced much less perineal pain than those who used either a synthetic oil or a placebo oil - (J Adv Nursing, 1994: 19: 89-96).

Osteopathy/Chiropractic

Many women find Osteopathy a useful and relaxing adjunct to their normal care during pregnancy.

Among women involved in retrospective study who received spinal manipulation during pregnancy, there was a much lower reported incidence of back pain during labour (J Manip Physiol Ther, 1991; 14: 116-8).

Osteopathy has been reported to reduce both foetal and maternal fatalities as well as difficult labours (W Cole in JM Hoag, WV Cole, SG Brandford, Osteopathic Medicine, New York: McGraw Hill, 1969: 123).

Osteopathy has been shown to help eliminate pain and the need for bed rest in women suffering from back pain during the later stages of pregnancy (M Copeland-Griffiths, Dynamic Chiropratic Today, Wellingborough: Thorsons, 1991: 81, 232).

Both therapies have been shown to be safe for the unborn child (J Am Ost Assoc, 1964; 63: 873).

Consultation: appointment by telephone 01293 784200