Maternal Osteopathic Care
Gentle Osteopathic Care for Mothers and Babies
Pregnancy, birth and early motherhood place huge demands on the body. Changes can happen gradually, without you noticing and while you’re busy thinking about everyone but yourself.
Maternal Osteopathic Care is a specialist Osteopathic service, rooted in Classical Osteopathy offering calm and attentive treatment, as much as clinical skill.
The clinic is held in a safe and compassionate environment, where mothers, partners and families feel listened to and supported based on their own unique requirements.
Maternal Osteopathic Care is designed to support you through:
The body is going through monumental changes to accommodate pregnancy and birth, and an Osteopath who understands all the nuances of the different stages of pregnancy can help the mother, and her body, to prepare for birth and beyond.
The gentle, holistic, hands-on approach of Osteopathy can truly benefit both mother and baby during pregnancy. Maternal Osteopathic Care offers treatment that is thoughtful, unhurried, always respectful and tailored to where you are right now, based upon years of experience in treating mothers and mother-to-be.
Our lead Osteopath, Quentin Shaw, is one of the foremost practitioners of Osteopathy for pregnancy and treatment of Pelvic Girdle Pain in the country. He, along with his colleagues at Tunbridge Wells Osteopaths, represent decades of experience caring for women at every stage of their pregnancy, plus Cranial Osteopathy for your baby.
We cannot overlook a partner’s role in the pregnancy journey and therefore also acknowledge their involvement and offer support to them. This might take the form of helping with fertility issues, or easing aches and pains brought on by lifting equipment, prolonged soothing of the baby or the stress or anxiety that having a newborn can bring.
Maternal Osteopathic Care
Supporting you – from Preparation to Parenthood
Fertility & Pre-Pregnancy Support
Preparing for pregnancy is about more than timing. Osteopathy can support fertility by optimising the body’s structure, circulation, nervous system balance, and hormonal communication, creating the best possible environment for conception.
It doesn’t “force” pregnancy, but it removes physical barriers and stress patterns that can interfere with reproductive function.
Prenatal Preparation
Preparing for pregnancy and birth is about adaptability, comfort and confidence. Osteopathic care during this stage focuses on:
- Pelvic and spinal balance
- Breathing and posture awareness
- Supporting comfort as the body begins to change
- Encouraging calm nervous system regulation
We recommend to any woman wanting to become pregnant to have a thorough musculoskeletal check-up. Read more to learn how to build a strong foundation for the physical demands of pregnancy and labour.
Pregnancy Support
During pregnancy, your body changes constantly. Maternal Osteopathic Care offers gentle, hands-on support to help you adapt more comfortably. We commonly support mums with:
- Back, pelvic, hip, rib, or neck pain
- Pelvic discomfort or feelings of heaviness
- Sciatic or sacroiliac discomfort
- Breathing or postural changes General tension, fatigue, or overwhelm
Osteopathy is beneficial for all pregnant women, as it is a safe, gentle and effective treatment that relieves strains across your body. Our aim is to help you have a comfortable pregnancy and positive birth experience with minimum intervention.
Maternal Osteopathic Care
Supporting you – from Preparation to Parenthood
Pelvic Health Support
Pelvic health matters and is very important. Many women don’t realise support is available. Maternal Osteopathic Care can help with:
- Bladder or bowel control concerns
- Pelvic floor weakness, tightness, or co-ordination difficulties
- Pelvic discomfort or heaviness
- Post-natal confidence to move and exercise
Assessments and care are external, consent-led, clearly explained, and never pressured.
Maternal Pelvic Balance and Baby's Position
Maternal Osteopathic Care offers gentle care for comfort, balance, and confidence in pregnancy. Osteopathic treatment is external, gentle, and pregnancy-safe. Your Osteopath may support:
- Pelvic and lower back mobility
- Muscle and ligament balance
- Breathing and posture
- Nervous system calm and relaxation
This approach may also be complemented by simple movements and positions you can safely practise at home.
PGP (Pelvic Girdle Pain) / SPD (Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction)
Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) or Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) can be a painful and debilitating condition, experienced by approximately 1 in 5 women. It presents during pregnancy and can continue months or even years after giving birth. There is no formal treatment offered on the NHS, however, Maternal Osteopathic Care can help with non-invasive and gentle treatment.
Explore how to ease pregnancy-related pain, understand PGP/SPD and its causes, and see how treatment supports both pregnancy and post-partum recovery. Learn what to expect, how healing progresses, and hear real experiences from patients.
Post Natal Care
Birth, whether vaginal or caesarean, places real strain on the body. Post-natal Osteopathic care can support:
- Recovery after birth or C-section
- Pelvic and abdominal comfort
- Scar sensitivity or restriction
- Back, neck, and shoulder tension
- Fatigue, feeling overwhelmed or “not quite right”
This approach may also be complemented by simple movements and positions you can safely practise at home.
Paternal Osteopathic Care
Pregnancy, birth and early parenthood are profound physical and emotional transitions not only for mothers, but for fathers too. Osteopathic care can play an important role in supporting men as they adapt to the demands of pregnancy, birth and family life.
Physical Demands of Fatherhood: Fathers commonly experience new or worsening musculoskeletal strain due to:
- Lifting and carrying infants and equipment
- Disrupted sleep and fatigue
- Prolonged feeding or soothing postures
- Increased work and stress demands
By supporting the father’s/partner’s physical wellbeing, as well as the mother’s at Maternal Osteopathic Care, we can help maintain their resilience and presence within the family unit.
Maternal Osteopathic Care
Supporting you – from Preparation to Parenthood
What Makes Maternal Osteopathic Care Different?
We commonly support mums with:
- Calm, unrushed appointments
- Gentle, hands-on care
- Whole-body approach (not just symptoms)
- Clear explanations and reassurance
- Support that respects both physical and emotional wellbeing
What Our Patients Say About Us
About Us
Maternal Osteopathic Care is part of Tunbridge Wells Osteopathic Practice, offering experienced and evidence-informed, compassionate care in a safe and welcoming environment.
Get in touch
5 Upper Grosvenor Road
Tunbridge Wells
Kent
TN1 2DU
United Kingdom
+ 44 (0)1892 535858