Pregnant women and their newborns benefit from physiological childbirth. Physiological childbirth is facilitated, among other things, by the mobility and freedom of the pregnant woman’s body structures (1). A physiological childbirth occurs spontaneously, proceeds spontaneously and requires as little intervention or medical assistance as possible.

A study conducted in the United States and published in 2016 showed a correlation between a birth experience perceived as negative and postpartum depression in the mother. Physiological childbirth is one of the best strategies for promoting a positive birth experience for the mother (2-3).

A few notions of physiology

Optimum mobility of the pelvis is necessary to clear the way for the fetus (1). With neuro-musculo-skeletal techniques, it is possible to optimize the articular amplitude (movement) of the pelvis. Optimum overall mobility allows the mother to move without restriction during labor, and facilitates passage for the fetus (4-5).

During pregnancy, the organs are arranged to make room for the uterus, which grows to support the development of the fetus (6). Certain adhesions can form, limiting the space needed for the fetus to develop (5). Osteopathic work to soften the connective tissue in order to release these adhesions will optimize the mobility of the structures and thus free up the space necessary for the development of the fetus (5). As a result, the fetus has the space it needs to position itself optimally for childbirth, with its head down and its back towards the mother’s womb (7-8).

In addition, an osteopathic approach to the pelvic floor and perineum can optimize tissue suppleness and resilience, reducing the likelihood of major tears or episiotomies (9).

According to a study in the USA, women who received osteopathic treatment during pregnancy had shorter, less painful deliveries with fewer medical interventions than those who did not (7).

Another study by American osteopaths shows that patients who did not receive osteopathic care during pregnancy were up to four times more likely to use forceps during childbirth (9). Forceps is used in cases of fetal distress, when the mother is too tired to push, when labor is prolonged, or when the woman has an illness that prevents her from pushing vigorously (10). Optimum overall mobility of the woman’s body enables her to welcome contractions and push in favorable positions, requiring less effort and reducing labor time (1, 6).

Bibliography :

De Gasquet B, AstridM. Mon cours de préparation à l’accouchement. Vanves (FR): Marabout; 2019.
Bell AF, Andersson E. The birth experience and women’s postnatal depression: A systematic review. Midwifery. août 2016;39:112-23.
Taheri M, Takian A, Taghizadeh Z, Jafari N, Sarafraz N. Creating a positive perception of childbirth experience: systematic review and meta-analysis of prenatal and intrapartum interventions. Reprod Health. déc 2018;15(1):73.
Les différentes approches en ostéopathie [En ligne] ; [cité le 27 juin 2023]. Disponible: https://www.florentretif-osteopathe.fr/approches
Boudéhen G. Soins de la femme enceinte en ostéopathie structurelle. Vannes : Sully; 2017.
Calais-Germain, B., Vives Parés, N. Bouger en accouchant. Paris (FR): ARA; 2009.
Brown A, Johnston R. O342 OSTEOPATHIC TREATMENT DURING PREGNANCY REDUCES RISK OF BIRTH INTERVENTIONS: THE ROLE OF OPTIMAL FOETAL POSITIONING. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. oct 2012;119:S381-S381.
Priddis H, Dahlen H, Schmied V. What are the facilitators, inhibitors, and implications of birth positioning? A review of the literature. Women and Birth. sept 2012;25(3):100-6.
King HH, Tettambel MA, Lockwood MD, Johnson KH, Arsenault DA, Quist R. Osteopathic manipulative treatment in prenatal care: a retrospective case control design study.
Manuels MSD pour le grand public [En ligne]. Accouchement vaginal opératoire – Problèmes de santé de la femme; [cité le 27 juin 2023]. Disponible: https://www.merckmanuals.com/fr-ca/accueil/probl%C3%A8mes-de-sant%C3%A9-de-la-femme/complications-du-travail-et-de-l%E2%80%99accouchement/accouchement-vaginal-op%C3%A9ratoire