Benefits Treatment Contraindications

Ante natal care

Pregnancy is a very special time for women. It is also a time where the many changes within a woman’s body can sometimes result in lower back pain, or general instability in the joints. The best solution to overcome these musculo-skeletal problems is to exercise. Ante natal exercises are designed for the pregnant womans body, and are absolutely safe if performed correctly. At the OHC, under the guidance of our professional team of female osteopaths and physical therapists, a pregnant woman can maintain her strength and cardiovascular fitness right through her pregnancy.

The Benefits of Pre-natal exercises:

Improve cardiovascular fitness
Improve muscle strength and endurance
Increase energy levels during pregnancy
Improve posture and biomechanics
Improve circulation
Improve moods
Improve self-esteem
Improve sense of well-being
Improve recovery time after birth

Exercise can help decrease or prevent:

Constipation
Swelling of extremities
Cramping
Nausea
Varicose veins
Insomnia
Fatigue
Back pain
Gestational Diabetes
Pregnancy induced hypertension
Diastasis Recti
Pelvic and rectal pressure
Unrinary incontinence
Post partum weight retention
Anxiety
Depression

Contraindications to exercise:

Under certain conditions exercise can be contra-indicated, and could be harmful for the mother to be. please read the following list of contraindications to ensure that you are safe to exercise. If a pregnant woman were to have any of the listed symptoms we would advise her to get clearance from her gynaecologist before starting an exercise programme.

Absolute contraindications

Hemodynamically significant heart disease
Restrictive lung disease
Incompetant cervix
Multiple gestation at risk for premature labour
Persistent second or third trimester bleeding
Placenta previa after 26 weeks of gestation
Premature labour during the current pegnancy
Ruptured membranes
Preeclampsia/pregnancy induced hypertension

Source:American College of Obstertricians and Gynaecologists,
Exercising during pregnancy and the post partum period committee;
Opinion Number 267 January 2002