Alternative Therapies
Effective massage during labour
Massage
There are lots of different types of massage and when you are pregnant it is important to choose a therapist who understands and specializes in pregnancy. At Birth Right™ we have a very experienced pregnancy aromatherapist. Lisa specializes in pregnancy and post-natal massage. Lisa uses essential oils that are safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
During pregnancy, many women report that they sleep better, feel more relaxed and most importantly feel nurtured, following an aromatherapy massage.
Many women benefit from the power of touch in labour. The hands of your support people can surprise you with the magic and healing power they contain. This may be a simple foot massage or a deep head and shoulder massage or a gentle stroking of your belly. The massage may change during labour. I encourage partners to have lots of practice during pregnancy, so that on the day of labour, they are in tune with your body and know what you might enjoy!
To book an aromatherapy massage, please contact:-
Birth Right™
Ph:
E: susan@birthright.com.au
Chiropractic Care in Pregnancy
Chiropractic is based on the belief that the body is a self-regulating, self-healing organism. These functions are controlled by the brain, spinal cord, and all the nerves of the body. Chiropractors locate interruptions to messages in these areas and by gentle adjustments remove interference to the nervous system allowing the body to function better.
Chiropractic adjustments prepare the woman’s pelvis and spine for an easier birth by allowing the pelvis and surrounding tissue to be in balance. A pelvis that is balanced is essential for optimal positioning of your baby thus posterior, transverse or breech positions are less likely under chiropractic care. Any imbalance also restricts the space for your babies development.
Webster technique is a specific chiropractic analysis used in the assessment of pregnant women. It is designed to reduce nerve interference that may cause imbalance to the pelvis. Chiropractors who use this analysis are assessed and accredited by the International Pediatric Chiropractic association www.icpa4kids.com Although Chiropractors don’t treat a condition or disease but specialize in checking the spine and its associated structures by removing nerve interference, a reduction in many of the symptoms of pregnancy can occur including -
- Back pain
- Symphysis pubis separation (pain)
- Carpel tunnel syndrome
- Headaches
- Reflux
- Haemorrhoids
- Neck pain
- Neuralgia
- Nausea
Children and Chiropractic
Babies and children can experience interruption to their nervous systems at a very early age often at birth. Any trauma (chemical, physical or emotional) even a natural birth can result in nerve interference. Symptoms from this interference may not show up for months or years. Signs that there is interference include -
- Feeding problems
- Excessive crying
- Ear infections
- Bed-wetting
- Behavioural problems
- Irritability
- Asthma
- Reduced neck movement
- Developmental problems
The nerve system controls and coordinates the function of all the systems in the body: circulatory, respiratory, digestive, hormonal, eliminative and immune system. Any aspect of health may be impaired by nerve interference. The chiropractic adjustment restores nerve system function allowing the child's body, the ability to express a greater state of health and well being.
Safety and chiropractic for children
The techniques used on children are very gentle and specific. The amount of pressure applied to adjust a child is finger touch pressure or as much pressure as you would comfortably apply to your eyeball.
Research done by the icpa around the safety of chiropractic for children has not only demonstrated clearly that chiropractic is safe for children. It has also shown the three most common improvements in a child apart from the initial reason they were brought to the chiropractor are -
- Sleeping
- Behaviour
- Immunity (general health)
This research and others can be viewed at www.icpa4kids.com
Julie Uren is a Chiropractor based in Lane Cove Sydney who practised as a midwife for 20 years and has a special interest in the care of pregnant women and children. She is accredited in the Webster technique by the icpa. Birth Right™ is proud to be associated with Julie.
Acupuncture
Pregnancy and Post-partum Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs
Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which originated in China over 5,000 years ago.
This science and art of healing has become widely accepted over the past three decades and has become an established profession in Australia.
Having a baby is not just a physical process, but also a hugely emotional and spiritual one. Dealing with this process can be a challenging experience for a woman. TCM understands that the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the self are interwoven and inseparable. Having acupuncture during pregnancy can help to balance emotions and ensure the physical processes are proceeding as smoothly as possible.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can be used to ensure that both parents are in optimum health pre-conception. Healthy parents produce healthy babies and healthy children have a better chance of growing into healthy adults.
The majority of pregnant women will experience at least one of the common ailments of pregnancy and unfortunately, they are often difficult to alleviate conventionally. In addition, most women are reluctant to take western pharmaceutical drugs unless it is absolutely essential. Fortunately, acupuncture is a safe and effective alternative for relieving some common symptoms such as:-
- Morning sickness
- Insomnia
- Sinus congestion
- Emotional and physical exhaustion
- Headaches
- Back pain, including sciatica
- Fear and anxieties
- Breech, Posterior and Transverse presentation
- Natural method to induce labour
- Facilitation of labour
- Retained placenta
- Breastfeeding difficulties
- General post-partum recovery
Acupuncture and Babies
Acupuncture treatment of babies and children is quick, with many positive results for:-
- Gastrointenstinal disorders and colic
- Biliary Disorders
- Insomnia
- Teething Pain
- Respiratory Disorders
- Ear ache
What To Expect
During the treatment, you should feel safe and relaxed and a return of an overall sense of well-being. After the session, you may feel energized or a little tired, but once the body has regained its centre, you may notice that your emotions are more balanced and that your symptoms have reduced and possibly disappeared. According to ancient Chinese Classics, a good Acupuncture treatment should be:-
“like the sun coming out from behind the clouds”
It is important, when you are pregnant and attending any natural therapist, that you find one who specializes in pregnancy. Birth Right™ is proud to be associated with Ngaio Richards, who holds a Master degree in Health Science and has worked for over two decades in health. She has a special interest in women’s health, extensive experience treating menstrual disorders, fertility/pre-conception and pregnancy related issues using Acupuncture, Moxibustion and herbs.
You can contact Ngaio at http://www.ngaio.net/ OR ph: