By: Dr. Seth D. Torregiani, DO

There are few events in a woman’s life that cause as many changes to her body, mind and spirit as pregnancy. Almost from the moment of conception, a woman’s body begins to transform to support the growing life inside.

While life affirming, this transformation is often accompanied by many uncomfortable, even painful, symptoms. These may include nausea and vomiting, gastroesophageal reflux, frequent urination or even incontinence, swelling of the legs, migraine headaches and back, hip and neck pain.

While most women accept the inevitably of invasive examinations, blood tests, ultrasounds and IV’s when it comes to managing their pregnancy safely, many would prefer to take a more natural, complementary approach when it comes to managing pregnancy’s undesirable symptoms, rather than resort immediately to medications.

Fortunately, there are a number of safe, effective and natural interventions that can help manage these symptoms – without the use of medications – when they occur.

For example, there are several successful approaches to managing the mild to moderate nausea and vomiting that frequently accompanies the first trimester of a pregnancy. In addition to dietary changes, such as eating small, frequent meals and avoiding trigger foods, these include herbs such as ginger (available in many forms such as a tea, capsules, candy or even the raw root), chamomile (most often taken as a tea), and red raspberry leaf (tea) or peppermint (in the form of enteric-coated capsules) may also be beneficial in controlling nausea and vomiting.

Vitamin B6 (known as Pyridoxine), has a long history as a treatment for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. At a usual dose of 50mg once or twice a day, started as soon as symptoms begin, B6 is continued until symptoms resolve.

Acupuncture or acupressure at a specific point an inch or two above the inside of the wrist (known as PC 6, or pericardium 6), also has been shown to alleviate symptoms of nausea and vomiting. Also effective are elastic wristbands, known as sea bands, which are embedded with a small plastic bead that fits of PC 6 and can provide relief throughout the day. Acupuncture can also be very helpful with back pain and sciatica.

Musculoskeletal changes that occur during pregnancy can often be a source of low back, hip and neck pain. As the uterus enlarges, a woman’s center of gravity changes and the curve in her low back (or lumbar spine) increases. To help accommodate this change and support her belly, the muscles in her low back become tighter. In addition, as her pelvis widens, her legs and feet tend to turn out, and her gait changes. All of these changes may create pain in the low back, hips, pelvis and tailbone of a pregnant woman, or may exacerbate pain that was present before.

As a pregnancy progresses, the body releases a hormone, called relaxin, which causes tendons and ligaments to become looser in preparation for passage of the baby through the birth canal. Increasing levels of relaxin can be a source of imbalances in the musculoskeletal system both during the pregnancy and after.

Osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) is a form of manual therapy practiced by D.O.s, or doctors of osteopathy, that addresses imbalances in the musculoskeletal system that can be a source of pain or dysfunction. While useful in all types of patients, OMM can be particularly effective in easing musculoskeletal pain related to pregnancy. In addition, OMM, done regularly throughout the pregnancy, may increase a woman’s comfort levels throughout the pregnancy and make her labor go more easily. One recent study found that pregnant women who received OMM at regular intervals throughout pregnancy had decreased rates of c-sections and a shorter duration of labor than controls.

Finally, OMM, performed shortly after delivery, can help prevent the sequelae that many women suffer after giving birth, such as chronic back or tailbone pain, hip pain or urinary incontinence.

Pregnancy is one of the most joyous times in a woman’s life. Fortunately, there are many safe and effective natural techniques that can help manage many of its symptoms – without the use of medications.

Dr. Seth Torregiani completed his residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at Christiana Care Health System in Newark, DE. He recently opened his integrative medicine practice, focusing on osteopathic manipulative medicine and acupuncture, treating both children and adults, at the Omega Professional Center in Newark, DE. He can be reached at 302-266-9010 or www.dr-seth.com.