Pregnancy & Childbirth

Pregnancy and childbirth brings together, for the first time, western and eastern approaches providing a sound amalgamation of theoretical and practical information for bodywork practitioners world-wide. It describes in detail the application of massage and shiatsu from early pregnancy, including work during labour and for the first year postnatally for the mother.

This is a useful source of information for massage therapists, shiatsu practitioners, osteopaths, physical therapists, chiropractors, reflexologists, aromatherapists, acupuncturists, yoga and Pilates instructors.

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgements

Contributors

Glossary

Introduction

Section 1: Theory – western and eastern

1 Western views of pregnancy

1.1 Changes for the pregnant woman

1.2 Reproductive system

1.3 Neuroendocrine system

1.4 Haemotological, haemostatic and cardiovascular systems

1.5 Musculoskeletal system

1.6 Respiratory system

1.7 Renal system

1.8 Gastrointestinal system

1.9 Immune, sensory, nervous, metabolic and integumentary systems

1.10 Embryonic development, fetal growth

1.11 Miscarriage

Reflective questions

References and further reading

2 Western theory of labour

2.1 Physiological basis of labour

2.2 Stages of labour

2.3 Fetal position/presentation

2.4 Maternal position

2.5 Changes in maternal and fetal systems during labour

2.6 Place of birth: home, hospital or birth centre, waterbirth

References

3 Western approach to the postpartum

3.1 Definition of postpartum period and overview of changes

3.2 Female reproductive system

3.3 Neuroendocrine system

3.4 Haemotological, haemostatic and cardiovascular systems

3.5 Musculoskeletal system

3.6 Respiratory system

3.7 Renal system, urinary tract, bladder

3.8 Other systems: gastrointestinal and hepatic, nervous, immune, sensory, integumentary

3.9 Infant feeding

3.10 Psychological state and postnatal depression

3.11 Summary and implications

References and further reading

4 Introduction to the eastern approach

4.1 Key theoretical concepts in eastern bodywork, including the importance of the extraordinary vessels in maternity care

References

5 Pregnancy from an eastern perspective

5.1 General energy patterns for the mother

5.2 Main energy changes and patterns during pregnancy for the mother

5.3 Energy patterns for the fetus

5.4 Changes in the extraordinary vessels

5.5 Changes in the 12 organs and meridians

5.6 Summary of main treatment principles

Reflective questions

References

Further reading

6 Labour from an eastern perspective

6.1 Main energy changes during birth: mother

6.2 Main energy changes during birth: baby

6.3 Changes in the extraordinary vessels: mother and baby

6.4 Changes in the 12 meridians: mother and baby

6.5 Summary of main treatment principles for work to support the natural birth process

Reflective questions

References

7 The postpartum from an eastern perspective

7.1 General energy patterns for the mother

7.2 Changes in the extraordinary vessels

7.3 Changes in the 12 meridians

7.4 Summary of main treatment principles

Reflective questions

References and further reading

Section 2: Practical bodywork

8 Introduction to bodywork

8.1 Assessment of the maternity client

8.2 Orthopaedic assessment and the maternity client

8.3 Positioning, draping and equipment

8.4 Prone, supine, semi-reclining, side-lying

8.5 Forward leaning and sitting

8.6 Definitions of techniques included in bodywork sections

8.7 Eastern bodywork concepts

8.8 The selection of the base; oil/lotions/wax and the use of essential oils in maternity care; aromatherapy

References and further reading

9 Practical bodywork in pregnancy

9.1 Overview and key themes

9.2 Specific considerations for each trimester

9.3 How to support women who are going through difficulties

9.4 Overview of practical techniques

9.5 Approaches and techniques for different parts of the body

9.6 Head, face, neck and shoulders

9.7 The back

9.8 Chest/abdomen and front of body: changes and working principles

9.9 Chest/abdomen and front of body: techniques

9.10 Legs and feet

9.11 Legs, feet, hands and arms: techniques

9.12 Lymphatic work

References and further reading

10 Practical bodywork in labour

10.1 Overview of practical labour work themes

10.2 Birth preparation work

10.3 Specific considerations for supporting different stages of labour

10.4 Bodywork techniques for different stages of labour

10.5 Approaches and techniques for different areas of the body

Reflective question

References and further reading

11 Practical bodywork in the postpartum

11.1 Benefits of postnatal work

11.2 Overview of practical postnatal work themes

11.3 Specific considerations for supporting different postnatal periods

11.4 Cautions in the early postnatal period

11.5 Overview of practical techniques and their suitability at different stages postnatally

11.6 Approaches and techniques for different areas of the body

11.7 Working with scars

References and further reading

12 Aftercare and self-care

12.1 Benefits of aftercare

12.2 Breathing and visualisation

12.3 Exercise

12.4 Touch, including shiatsu and massage

Reflective questions

References

13 The medical approach to labour

13.1 The medical model of labour

13.2 Monitoring in labour

13.3 Induction

13.4 Pain relief

13.5 Assisted delivery

13.6 Management of the third stage

Reflective questions

References and further reading

14 Working with higher risk maternity clients

14.1 Definition of ‘higher risk’ pregnancy

14.2 Medical conditions existing prior to pregnancy

14.3 Issues arising during pregnancy

14.4 Chromosomal and developmental abnormalities of the fetus

14.5 Complications of labour and delivery

References

15 Professional issues

15.1 Setting up a maternity-focused bodywork practice

Reflective exercise

15.2 Scope of practice: the bodyworker as maternity care provider

Reference

Appendix 1: Useful contacts and resources

Index

Author Information

By Suzanne Yates, BA(Hons), Dip HSEC(Shiatsu diploma), MRSS(T), APNT, Antenatal and postnatal exercise instructor, PGCE(PCET), Director of Well Mother - Education for Maternity Care, Bristol, UK