PREGNANCY
How can HOLISTIC THERAPY help with pregnancy?
Pregnancy is a time when women are more aware of the workings of their body. It produces the largest postural change that a women's body will undergo. For many years health care practitioners have used their skills to help relieve aches and pains caused by weight and posture changes during and after pregnancy.
For many women, pregnancy means having to cope with a whole range of symptoms from back pain to morning sickness.
YOUR body's perfectly designed to with pregnancy but it has to work hard to provide for your growing baby, so you need healthy nutrition and exercise. (refer to YOGA page which is ideal cos it stretches tight muscles and joints and also relieves tension. Yoga methods can help with labour and pain relief too.)
Exercise helps you stay in physical condition before and after the birth. The benefits of exercise - improving stamina, suppleness, strength and sense of well-being - will help your body take the extra strain as it adapts to meet the demands of pregnancy. It will also help counteract the tendency to feel clumsy or ungainly in later months. With exercise, you also develop a better understanding of your body's capabilities and learn ways of relaxing, so you can approach labour with confidence.
Pregnancy hormones have profound effects on teeth, hair, nails and skin, so don't be surprised by temporary changes.
TEETH:
Progesterone makes gums soft so they may bleed more easily. Take care of teeth and gums, visit your dentist at the start of your pregnancy. In UK it is free- if NHS is still up and running when you get this message. Tell him your pregnant in case he wants to X rays as they're dangerous to the developing embryo.
Hair and Nails: Straight hair can become curly and vice versa. Hair grows and falls in phases - pregnancy often prolongs the growth phase, making thin hair thick and glossy, whereas thick hair may become dry and unmanageable. The downside is you'll experience hair loss after the birth. It will grow back eventually but may take 2 yrs. Although they grow faster, nails also become brittle. Keep them short and use rehydrating creams to keep them moist and strong.
Skin:
Oestrogens gives skin the legendary bloom of pregnancy, but dry skin becomes dryer and greasy skin more oily. Patches of brown pigment (chloasma) may appear on your face and neck but will eventually fade. All skins deepen in colour with browning of the nipples and a line down the abdomen. Tiny dilated capillaries (spider naevi) on the face are common but disappear later. Stretch marks on breasts, thighs and abdomen are very common: they're related to the breakdown of protein in the skin by high levels of pregnancy hormones and most will fade after birth.
TAKE TO THE POOL:
Both you and your baby will benefit from exercise. Your blood starts circulating freely, there's a blast of oxygen to your baby's brain, exercise hormones such as endorphins give you both a wonderful high and your baby loves the swaying motion. Exercise such as swimming increases your strength, suppleness and stamina, which will make pregnancy easier and equip you for the rigors of labour.
But exercise in pregnancy isn't just about fitness. It helps you to understand your body, to believe in its power, and it gives you the key to relaxation so that you can cope with fatique and prepare yourself for the birth.
WHOLE BODY EXERCISE:
Try to incorporate some exercise into your day, beginning gradually, at a pace that is comfortable. Always stop if you get out of breath or feel pain. Whole-body exercise is best as it tones up your heart and lungs, so walking as well as swimming is excellent. Dancing is good to, as long as it'snot too energetic.
PRECAUTIONS:
Before any exercise session, do some stretches to warm up: keep your back straight, breathe evenly and flex your feet. Your ligaments are softened through the action of the pregnancy hormones and your cartilages slacken up so the pelvis can expand more easily and, to protect your back, don't twist suddenly. Stop at once if you become breathless, dizzy or overheated, or feel pain. Avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of water, and cool down afterwards with further gentle stretches.
EXERCISE TO AVOID:
Pregnancy is not a time to start learning an energetic contact sport. However you can continue sporting activities for awhile if you're already fit and play often. Don't engage in sports like skiing, cycling or horse riding after 20 weeks because balance may become a problem from that time. Take it easy on high-energy sports like tennis or squash and don't do heavy workouts, especially tough abdominal exercises.
PELVIC FLOOR EXERCISES:
The pelvic floor consists of muscles and fibrous tissue suspended like a funnel from the pelvic bones. The layers of muscle are thickest at the perineum, where there are openings for the urethra, vagina and anus, which the pelvic floor muscles are supported. If you don't know where your pelvic muscles are, you can locate them by stopping your flow of urine in midstream: the muscle you're using are those of your pelvic floor. (see mid wife/ acupressure page for exercises)
As the body grows in the womb, its extra weight results in a changed centre of gravity and posture changes from week to week. This can lead to a variety of aches and pains. As breast weight increases, this also causes changes and pain may occur in the upper back and neck.
Treatment through pregnancy is a wonderfully gentle way of helping the body adapt to the changes which are taking place.
The safety of mother and baby is the practitioners main concern. After a thorough assessment, treatment may help to relieve the aches and pains caused by growth in size of the baby and the accommodation of the mother to this. Advice from myself can help you to change your posture and learn to use your body correctly through pregnancy.
Holistic therapists can also help to ease other side effects of pregnancy such as:
- heartburn
- indigestion
- constipation and pain in the buttock, groin or leg (sciatica)
Some mothers to be report reduced morning sickness after a number of treatments.
When you first visit me a full case history is necessary normally lasting about an hour. This includes the whole body treatment renown for it's gentleness. We can advise on positions in labour to help prevent back problems later. Pain relief techniques can also be shown to the mother and her partner or friend so that they can help during labour.
Obviously X rays/scans have recently shown to affect the embryo as it moves distinctly away from the side which is being radiated so I personally recommend as little intervention. The medical profession is, however not so keen on taking X rays, particularly in the lower back area due three times the necessary radiation needed to get through the thicker lumbar spine.>
"My own first hand experience with both our labour experiences was a 50 %
reduction in contraction pain when the right acupressure points are pushed
during contractions." said
Karen Baucke,
Belmont,
Lower Hutt.
After delivery it is best to have further treatment as the pelvis is usually pushed out of place and needs correcting to restore optimum nerve supply throughout the body.
Recommended treatment 2 or 3 weeks after giving birth is always good to realign any misalignments that may have occurred during the labour.
USEFUL TIPS
Look after your back during pregnancy. Take particular care when lifting and carrying - particularly other children. Do not carry a small child on one hip for any length of time. Special exercises/ yoga is highly recommended which I can give you after treatment.
If you stand for any length of time, keep your bottom "tucked in" to reduce strain on the lower part of the spine.
Calm and private environment is one of the most important factors in encouraging a natural birth. Throughout labour the hormone oxtocin is produced in the mother's brain. It is responsible for making contractions happen and helps the mother bond with her baby after birth. "It is very important you feel quiet and peaceful during labour to promote your hormone secretions." says Jane Balaskaa who is a pioneer of natural childbirth.
When sitting, use a cushion for support and don't sit with your legs crossed. Avoid twisting movements. These may cause strain on the pelvis.
Lying on your side in bed, place a pillow under "the bump" to provide support and also put a pillow between your knees to prevent back strain.
If you prefer to lie on your back, place pillows beneath your knees to keep them bent.
Make sure all equipment (changing table, pushchair, pram etc...) is at a comfortable height for you.
Breastfeeding Support
Is your Paediatrician and other hospital personal supportive of
breastfeeding? With all that is known about the benefits of breastfeeding
for both the mother and baby, you must think 'of course my doctor is going
to be supportive of breastfeeding.'
Unfortunately, that is not always the case. And it usually isn't necessarily
that they have anything against breastfeeding, but instead, many
Paediatricians and other health professionals just haven't received enough
education or training to be supportive of breastfeeding, especially when
problems occur.
It is important to remember that the increase in breastfeeding rates and the
availability of lactation consultants only began in the middle to late 70's,
so doctors trained before and during this period may not have had much
experience with breastfeeding or lactation support professionals.
Even doctors that have recently finished training may not have received
formal education about breastfeeding. In my own Paediatrics' residency, most
of the time I spent taking care of new-borns was in the Neonatal Intensive
Care Unit with preemies and new-borns that were very sick and I didn't have
much exposure to breastfeeding mothers. Fortunately, one of the 'Ten Steps
to Support Parents' Choice to Breastfeed Their Baby' of the American Academy
of Paediatrics is to 'Train all physicians and office staff in skills
necessary to support breastfeeding.'
So how do you find a doctor that is supportive of breastfeeding and that can
help you have a positive breastfeeding experience? Lactation consultants in
your area should be able to recommend Paediatricians that are known to be
supportive of breastfeeding and steer you away from those that aren't.
Another good way is to just ask your doctor how he feels about
breastfeeding. A prenatal visit or a 'new mom' consult is a good way to get
to know a new Paediatrician or to just talk about your plans for
breastfeeding your new baby. You can find out what will happen if you do
have problems breastfeeding and ask for recommendations to help maximise the
chance that you will breastfeed effectively, including breastfeeding as soon
after the delivery as possible, avoiding supplementing with a bottle or
using a pacifier, and rooming in with and feeding your new-born on demand.
In addition to finding a Paediatrician that is supportive of breastfeeding, you can maximise your chances of breastfeeding successfully by learning as much as you can about breastfeeding and potential problems that may come up. There are many excellent books about breastfeeding and you should consider reading while you are still pregnant, with one of my favourites being 'The Nursing Mother's Companion' by Kathleen Huggins.
Having a breastfeeding support system in place is also helpful. This should
usually include a lactation consultant or lactation specialist. A great
suggestion I once heard is to keep the phone number of your lactation
consultant by the phone with your list of emergency numbers. This way you
always have it handy and can get help when you need it. Family members and
friends who have breastfed are other good sources of support.
You may also want to take a prenatal breastfeeding preparation class, or if
you have any risk factors that make it more likely that you will have
difficulty with breastfeeding, then schedule a prenatal evaluation with a
lactation consultant and/or a prenatal breast examination.
So how do you know if you doctor isn't supportive of breastfeeding? A good
way to tell is if at the first sign that you are having problems
breastfeeding, your doctor recommends supplementing with a bottle, changing
to formula or 'just keep trying'. While there are some situations where
supplemental feedings are medically necessary, especially if the baby is
dehydrated or has excessive weight loss, giving supplements, in addition to
ensuring the health of the baby, should include a goal of fixing whatever is
going wrong with breastfeeding, so that you will ultimately be able to
exclusively breastfeed. This can include increasing the mother's supply of
breastmilk and/or helping the baby latch on or suck properly. If you just
supplement with a bottle when you are having problems, then there is a good
chance that you will push your baby to wean early. And it is important to
remember that supplements aren't usually necessary, and even when they are,
there are alternatives to using a bottle, such as using a lactation aid, cup
or finger feeding.
Other common breastfeeding problems that unsupportive doctors sometimes
recommend that you stop breastfeeding for include:
Bloody stools:
This is usually caused by allergic colitis, a type of allergic reaction, especially if there are just small streaks of blood on the stools. It is most commonly caused by a reaction to diary products (or other foods, such as soy or peanuts) that the mother is drinking and which pass into her breastmilk. Since it usually isn't a reaction to the breastmilk itself, most of the time you can continue breastfeeding and just eliminate dairy products from your diet. This can be difficult, as many products have 'hidden' ingredients which may indicate the presence of dairy products, so you have to learn to read food labels and avoid foods with (but not limited to) whey, casein, cream, custard, pudding, lactoglobulin, sour cream and lactalbumin. Simply not drinking milk may not be enough. If the bleeding persists, consider having an evaluation with a Paediatric Gastroenterologist or Paediatric Allergist before you stop breastfeeding.
Frequent feedings:
Many infants go through growth spurts, especially at two to three weeks and again at six weeks, during which they have an increased appetite and want to feed more frequently than usual. If you allow your baby to breastfeed more often at these times, then you will stimulate your body to increase your milk supply to keep up with the increased demand and you will likely get back to your usual feeding pattern in a few days. If you supplement instead of breastfeeding more often, then you won't increase your supply and it will often lead to early weaning.
Slow weight gain:
Most infants regain their birthweight by two weeks of age and then gain about 20g (2/3 ounce) a day for the next several months. A thorough evaluation and examination of the mother and baby is essential if a baby is losing weight or not gaining weight well to monitor for correct positioning, latching on, frequency of feedings, and amount of milk production. If supplementing does become necessary, alternatives, such as supplementing with pumped breastmilk and using a lactation aid or finger feeding are often preferred to supplementing with formula in a bottle. You should also have frequent weight monitoring, at least every 2-4 days, in these situations and you may have to learn to pump to further stimulate the production of breast milk.
Infrequent bowel movements:
this is usually normal in older infants, who may have a bowel movement only every 1-2 weeks. Usually, as long as the stool is soft when she finally has it, then it isn't constipation and you do not need to offer extra water or juice. Infrequent bowel movements are more concerning in the first month of life, since that can be a sign that she isn't getting enough breast milk.
Jaundice:
Infants with physiological jaundice don't need to stop breastfeeding and usually don't need supplements. Infants with breastfeeding jaundice (jaundice that is worsened because of dehydration and poor feeding) and jaundice that requires phototherapy may sometimes need supplements or intravenous fluids. Although breastfeeding is often interrupted for infants with breastmilk jaundice (which is not the same as breastfeeding jaundice), this is usually not necessary either and the jaundice usually goes away by the second month of life, although blood tests may be necessary to make sure it isn't something else causing the prolonged jaundice.
Drugs and breastfeeding:
There are actually few medications that are contraindicated during breastfeeding, including bromocriptine, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, doxorubicin, ergotamine, lithium, methotrexate and phenindione. Many other medications may require temporarily stopping breastfeeding, are compatible with breastfeeding, can be used with caution, or the effect on the baby is unknown but may be of concern. If a medication is thought to be incompatible with breastfeeding, ask if there is an alternative that would be safe for you to take instead.
The kind of advice you get for dealing with these types of common problems
can tell you a lot about how knowledgeable and/or supportive your
Paediatrician is about breastfeeding. This is important, because prevention
and early treatment of breastfeeding problems can help to maximise your
chances of long term breastfeeding success.
Another way to tell if your doctor supports breastfeeding is by the type of
anticipatory guidance that is offered at your doctor visits. Is
breastfeeding even mentioned? How is it discussed? At well child visits
during the first year I used to ask 'Are you still breastfeeding?' I didn't
mean it in a negative way, because I also asked formula fed babies 'Are you
still feeding Enfamil/Similac?', but I came to realise that, while not
intended, the emphasis may have been seen to be on the word 'still,' like I
was surprised that a mom was continuing to breastfeed. Instead, I now ask
'How is breastfeeding going?'
Other anticipatory guidance should provide information about potential problems, such as nursing strikes, biting, nipple pain, engorgement and how to know if a baby is getting enough to eat by the number of stools and wet diapers he is having and how well he is gaining weight. I also regularly, especially in the nursery and at the two week, six month and one year visit, ask about the mother's long term breastfeeding plans. Does she want to continue until her baby is a year old as per the American Academy of Paediatrics recommendations (this also gives me a chance to let her know about this recommendation)? Does she want to continue to breastfeed her toddler? Many people don't recognise that the one year recommendation of the AAP is more a minimum and not a recommendation to wean or not breastfeed your toddler. The AAP policy statement on Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk actually states 'It is recommended that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mutually desired.'
You may think it doesn't matter if your Paediatrician is supportive of breastfeeding since you can get information and advice elsewhere, including from a lactation consultant or friends and family members, but you should still have a doctor on your side to watch out for, prevent and treat more serious problems, such as dehydration, excessive weight loss, serious jaundice, etc. Simply ignoring your Paediatrician's advice because you think he or she is not being supportive of your breastfeeding can be dangerous in some situations. If you are having problems and don't feel your doctor is being supportive, then you can always ask if you can have an evaluation by a lactation specialist and a recheck in your doctor's office the next day.
Twenty years ago, there was little support for mothers wishing to
breastfeed, from both health care workers and the general public.
The year was 1981, and I was a new mother living in rural Iowa, with no
family near and few friends. Being well aware of the benefits of
breastfeeding, I embarked upon the challenge to breastfeed my first-born
son, despite the influences of a bottle-feeding world. I made the decision
with the faith that the process would occur naturally. Assuming that was my
first mistake. After my son's delivery, the nurses at the hospital gave me
minimal instruction. The bulk of that instruction included showing me how to
position a silvered spotlight over each nipple, after each nursing session,
to reduce any nipple discomfort.
Spotlight? There was nothing about spotlights in my college textbooks, nor
in the pamphlets my doctor gave me. Egads!
Other than maintaining a healthy diet, I thought being prepared to
breastfeed merely meant buying a good nursing bra and some nursing pads!
Needless to say, promptly after returning home with baby, daddy was sent out
to purchase one silvered spotlight, with clasp, and a package of 40 watt
bulbs. Little did I realise just how ineffective this bit of instruction
would be.
At my baby's two-week check-up, I mentioned to the paediatrician my concern
over my milk supply. My son was nursing so frequently, yet he seemed
unsatisfied, and I was very sore, to say the least. The paediatrician told
me he was gaining weight so everything must be okay and that his
irritability was probably just colic. Of course, he could offer no remedy
for the colic, since it's cause was unknown, but he did tell me to keep
using the light, it would get better. Granted, the light helped, but each
feeding delivered excruciating nipple pain, and it never lessened.After
struggling with the colic and sore nipples for nearly three months, and
diligently engaging in 10-20 minute nipple sunning sessions after each
feeding, which were, like clockwork, no farther apart than 1.5 hours, I
guiltily surrendered to formula and bottles. The only consolation I was able
muster up for my failure was thinking that I, at least, managed to get all
that great colostrum into him. Some was better than none.
Consequently, the experience was so disheartening, I was unable to muster up the courage to try it again with his siblings. I basically blamed the whole experience solely upon my inability to breastfeed. Years later, I realized how wrong my perceptions of the experience really were. Simply put, if I had known then that my baby was actually latching improperly, or if I had been given an inkling to monitor my diet for foods he might have been sensitive to, I'm convinced my breastfeeding venture would have been more rewarding and successful for both of us. Fortunately, in today's "Information Age," breastfeeding mothers have access to assistance, through even the most difficult breastfeeding situations, and support from a growing population of breastfeeding comrades. Finding answers is as close as the phone book, the local library and the Internet.
One of the leading organizations providing this access is La Leche League International. LLLI is a non profit organisation dedicated to protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding. They offer breastfeeding education and encouragement through mother-to-mother support groups, telephone counselling and extensive interaction with physicians and health care providers. Currently, there are 8,000 Leaders and 3,000 local Groups in the United States alone. La Leche League Groups meet regularly in communities world-wide to share breastfeeding information and the mothering experience. Each year, an estimated 750,000 American mothers call La Leche League with questions and concerns. Telephone counselling is available 24-hours a day, along with access to an extensive library of breastfeeding literature. (U.S. 1-800-LALECHE)
- Q: What are the health benefits to mothers who breastfeed?
- A: Health benefits to mothers who breastfeed are many, including reduced risk of some cancers, reduced risk of osteoporosis, faster return of the uterus to its prepregnant state, steady weight loss based on use of fat deposits laid down during pregnancy for early milk production, slower return of menses which can aid in natural child spacing, and a psychological sense of confidence as the mother provides completed nourishment for her baby.
- Q: How does breastfeeding reduce the risk of cancer?
- A: To quote Dr. Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC, a Canadian paediatrician regarding the protective factors against cancers conferred by breastfeeding, "There are various theories, but the most common is that women who breastfeed, especially for more than a token few weeks or months, have a different hormonal milieu than women who do not. It is also thought that a woman who has never had children is also at risk for ovarian cancer. In fact, this is the explanation for breast cancer and endometrial cancer as well. It was always well-known that nuns had much higher rates of these cancers than other women. If we go back to hunter- gatherer societies, sterile menstrual periods are very uncommon. Women in these societies are pregnant or breastfeeding almost continuously from menarche to menopause. This is thought to be the norm for our species and modern society has completely turned this aroundS" In regard to breast cancer, the risk declines in inverse proportion to the duration of breastfeeding. Also, the mother's age at first full-term pregnancy exerts the strongest influence on reducing the risk; if lactation occurs in early reproductive life, the effect is greatest (Riordan, 1999). I spoke to Alicia Dermer, MD who also agreed and indicated that the low estrogens level during breastfeeding may be the protective factor. The degree of protection is dose-related; that is, the degree of reduced risk is directly related to the duration of breastfeeding "A 60% reduction in the risk of ovarian cancer was found among women who had breastfed as compared with nulliparous womenS" as stated by A Patrick Schneider II, MD, MPH in the New England Journal of Medicine, 1987.
- Q: How does breastfeeding reduce the risk of osteoporosis?
- A: Osteoporosis is prevented by the fact that mineral bone density has a rebound effect following weaning; that is, while calcium is used during lactation, when the mother ceases to lactate, the body actually increases former bone density, thus protecting against later bone loss.
- Q: What effect does the milk-producing hormone, prolactin, have on the mother?
- A: Prolactin is called the "mothering hormone" because it "physiologicallySproduces in the mother an intensification of her 'motherliness,' the pleasurable care of her child. Psychologically, this intensification serves further to consolidate the symbiotic bond between herself and her child" (Montagu, 1971). In addition, prolactin has a relaxing effect, causing the breastfeeding woman to feel calm, even euphoric, during the feeding.
- Q: How does breastfeeding increase the amount of energy available to new mothers?
- A: Breastfeeding is actually less time-consuming than bottle-feeding, resulting in more time to rest and recuperate. Preparation of bottles, buying formula, cleaning bottles, heating bottles, getting up out of bed to prepare for a feeding, all take more energy for the mother. The amount of time spent feeding is roughly the same. In addition, a breastfeeding mom can easily pick up her baby by her side and nurse in bed, allowing both to doze on and off during the night. Thus, energy saved is energy not drained.
PREGNANCY AND BACK PAIN
Back pain during pregnancy is often a surprise, but always a nuisance. Fortunately, many tools are at hand for your relief: fitness, exercise, rest, and the understanding of the importance of adapting your movements to your changing body.>
Exercise
In addition to the fun of eating for two, fitness for two is just as important. Picture your baby in a cute little exercise outfit, saying "Let's go, Mom!" Exercise during this special time increases your strength and flexibility and is recommended to relieve aches and pains. While exercising is beneficial for most women during pregnancy, there may be some risk factors that would preclude exercise for a small population. Therefore it is always recommended that you check with your practitioner for information concerning exercise and what is right for you and your baby. Types of exercise vary depending on your physical state. Whatever program you choose, you want to start off slow with a relaxation and warm-up period. If you experience pain, back off, slow down. If you're breathless, so is your baby, so for both your sakes, again slow down, take frequent breaks and drink lots of fluids.
Lifting
Lifting properly during pregnancy is important. When you need to carry in the groceries or assure a special 3-year-old you still love him, too, lift with a neutral spine, using your thighs and legs. Do not curl over to lift anything. Bend, stoop, and get your chest as level with the item as possible. Avoid lifting anything above your head and shoulders. Get a sturdy stool or small ladder, preferably with a hand rail, or a "tall person" if you have to reach or lift higher than your shoulders.
Clothes and Comfort
Put the high heels away for now. Wear sensible, comfortable shoes, maintain proper posture, and change position often when at work or out visiting. Alternate sitting with standing with lying down. Change chairs. Stretch gently. Don't reach back to the chair when you sit or sit in a deep or low chair that is a strain to get out of. Television's representations of a heavily pregnant woman struggling out of a chair may be humorous, but the strain on the back isn't worth the laughs. Use pillows! Prop them behind your back for lumbar support. Keep your body high enough in the chair and far enough from its back that you can rise naturally. Get your feet to the floor; don't sit in a chair that is too high. Adjust the chair if possible; if not -- or if the pillows make the chair too high -- use a footstool or even a box at home or at the office, so your legs are neither hanging down nor stretching to reach the floor. Beware of crossing your legs since this disturbs your circulation and increases strain on your back. Sleeping To relieve back pain at night, again grab those pillows. The best position for sleep is your left side, which increases blood flow to the baby. The worst position is on your back, which can cause reduced blood flow to the baby. To sleep on your side, put a pillow between your legs and more pillows behind your back to support you. Tummy sleepers -- like me! -- usually do not need to change until around five months, but will obviously have to find another sleeping position as the baby grows. One that worked for me for a while was to lie half on my left side, with one leg bent outward and propped up on a big pillow thus supporting my expanding girth. General Notes If this is not your first pregnancy, you may find you're experiencing nausea, fatigue, and other side effects earlier this time around. That's because the body has already had a "warm up" from prior pregnancy. The uterus, like a balloon, has been blown up once and is more flexible this time around. Increasing your muscle tone between children helps this effect, but you will probably be bigger faster the second time around. Preventing strains on your body, staying in shape, or getting in better shape during these nine months will also increase your labour ability. The delivery is often likened to a marathon; we need to be in shape and have sufficient energy to go the whole way. The whole way will be gone no matter how many of us decide we'd rather not do this on the day the baby is born! That baby is going to come out and the better shape the mother is in, the more easy labour can be. So while we may not all have doting fathers waiting on us hand and foot for nine months, we can take steps to be good and doting to ourselves and our babies. And why does it hurt anyway? If you're like me, you probably wonder why you get to have backaches in pregnancy.
