Bowen Technique during and after pregnancy
The Bowen Technique is an extremely gentle non-invasive therapy suitable for new mums and mums to be. Even before pregnancy, Bowen can assist with fertility, and is helpful right through pregnancy and beyond.
Preconception
If you're trying to conceive, Bowen can assist by regulating your menstrual cycle and enhancing the fertility of you and your partner.
Pregnancy
Your body goes through many changes during pregnancy as it adapts to nuture the baby growing inside of you.
- Your digestive system slows down so that more nutrients can be absorbed for the baby.
- Relaxin softens the ligaments in preparation for childbirth.
- More blood is pumped around the body to provide oxygen for the baby.
- Your kidneys are under increased load as they now have to excrete the baby's waste too.
- Your back is under increased strain as the baby grows.
- Your breast tissue increases as your body prepares for breast feeding.
Many women experience troublesome conditions during pregnancy as a result of these temporary changes. Bowen Technique is a very gentle therapy that can help to balance your body throughout pregnancy and to prepare it for childbirth. Bowen may assist with the following conditions common in pregnancy:
- pain in the lower back and sciatica
- heartburn
- breast tenderness
- morning sickness (nausea)
- fatigue
- varicose veins
- constipation & haemorrhoids
- carpal tunnel syndrome
- cramping
- respiratory conditions
- fluid retention (oedema)
- stress
- pain relief during labour
Bowen Technique is also safe and effective for babies from the moment of birth when it can help your baby with any trauma that may have resulted from the birthing process. Bowen is also effective for a number of other problems commonly encountered by babies.
Postnatal
As a new mum, it may take some time to adapt to your new role. There is a lot to learn about caring for your new baby in the days and weeks following delivery, and you may need to come to terms with the changes in your lifestyle. Along with the joys of motherhood, many mums feel a loss of freedom and autonomy during this transition time. Support from your partner, family or friends is invaluable and ensure you get some time off when you can attend to your own needs and wishes.
Try to prepare as much as you can before the birth. Reading books on childcare and breastfeeding whilst you are still pregnant can make things easier once the baby arrives. Try to get as much rest as you can in the final weeks of pregnancy, as caring for a newborn tends to be exhausting. In the first few weeks aim to care only for your baby and yourself. Put aside any thoughts of trying to fit in a sport of work and keep housework to a bare minimum. It's not very likely that you'll have time to fit in other things and trying to do so can be stressful for you.
Your body will also need to recover from childbirth. Bowen can help with:
- promoting healing after a Caesarean section
- resetting the pelvis following childbirth,
- breast tenderness and mastitis symptoms,
- oversupply and undersupply of breast milk,
- pain in the perineum and healing after episiotomy and tears,
- back pain and sore hands caused by lifting and carrying,
- postnatal depression, and
- stress relief.