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Your Bra
Does your bra fit properly?
Probably not.
Most women do not have time to go to the shops and book an appointment to get a bra fitting, so they buy a bra off the rack in the same size they have always purchased. Alternatively, in our modern age, they order online and then they are too busy to return it if it does not fit, so just wear it.
Also just like you need to replace your trainers if you run regularly, you need to replace your bras. They lose support, the elastics get stretched.
As an NCT nursing bra fitter volunteer, I meet so many women who have no clue what size they should be wearing. It is so important to be wearing the right size during pregnancy and while you are nursing so you do not hurt your breast tissue and you avoid problems like mastitis. This means getting a bra fitting every trimester, and again a few weeks post-natal. If you continue to breastfeed an older child getting a fitting done every 6 months is necessary.
Why is wearing the right size bra important to me as a chiropractor? I know that wearing the wrong size bra can damage your health.
Wearing the wrong bra size can lead to a variety of problems including back pain, neck pain, restricted breathing and poor posture as you tend to slouch.
Shoulders that roll forward is a common postural issue for women with big breast as they are in the wrong size bra. When your shoulders round forward your straps cannot lie flat against your chest causing your bra to stand away from your body and your breasts move within the cups. Most women with bigger breast buy bras in a smaller size, which may look more attractive than a supportive bra, but this actually causes more problems long term.
Wearing the right sized bra is important for your physical and emotional health – the way you feel about your breast is apparent in your posture. Love your shape whether you have an A cup or a G cup and stand with your shoulders back.
If you think your bra is not the correct size, get fitted today!
Best places to go are M&S or the big department stores, but if you have bigger breast make an appointment at Bravissimo. They will normally take two measurements. One around your ribcage under the breast where the bra band sits, and the other around the nipple line or the biggest part of your breast. Your cup size is determined by the difference between these numbers. If done properly and you are not shy, they will ask you to take off your bra so they are measuring around your skin. Then they will give you a few to try on. Not all bras are made the same. Not all breast are made the same. To find out what you like and what suits you. Also, remember you get what you pay for in terms of quality. If you have bigger breast, invest in a few good quality bras, it will save you a lot of money in the long run.
Remember to go for regular bra fittings especially if you are gaining or losing weight or your body shape changes.
If you are concerned about your posture or suffer from problems due to your breast size contact me for a free 15-minute chat to see if I can help.
Guest Blogger Crystal Miles. Hypnobirthing
Hypnobirthing is once again in the media headlines as Meghan Markel prepares for the birth of her first child. Her royal sister in law Catherine also sparked speculation about using Hypnobirthing techniques for her three labours. But Hypnobirthing is not just for royalty, it’s for everybody and every birth.
I think it is fair to say many people have misconceptions about the course based on the name; in fact, last week one of my lovely clients told me that her (insert popular antenatal class) teacher informed her class that you actually are hypnotised! Thankfully my client put her straight.
What could I change it to? Calmbirthing, Informedbirthing, Relaxedbirthing, Controlledbirthing, Educatedbirthing. All of those work. . .but actually, Hypnobirthing includes all of those words when you gain a simple understanding of what we do. It’s common to have to dispel myths around our courses.
The “Hypno” association comes from the level of relaxation that we aim to achieve during pregnancy and birth. Deep relaxation is simply a light state of Hypnosis, which is extremely beneficial and effective during labour. We look at the importance of words and suggestion and the concentration and hyper-focus that you can experience with Hypnosis.
What’s more, it’s science! Hypnobirthing courses provides logical, scientific education that explains exactly how your muscles and hormones are working during your labour and how your techniques can enable them to do what they were designed to do. This also helps us to understand how we can potentially hinder the process so we discuss how to avoid that happening and how your birth can be much more comfortable.
All of our courses actively involve the birth partner so that nobody need feel useless or anxious. Our birth partners know exactly how to support and protect their birth partners during labour and the programme also helps them to bond with baby during pregnancy. Fear hormones in the birth room can be contagious, so we ensure that our birth partners know their worth and feel confident to support their partners.
Labour can be unpredictable, and when parents needs a little more support, Hypnobirthing techniques come in to their own keeping you calm and providing you with a tool to manage the situation and keep control if things take a turn. We educate parents to understand their birth choices and gain an excellent understand of what can happen during labour, both text book and with intervention so that they are prepared in such events. The key to a positive birth is feeling informed, being respected and understanding your choices. I have supported clients through vagina deliveries and planned and unplanned inductions, interventions and caesareans. Nobody has ever said that Hypnobirthing didn’t help them in any situation.
I have been teaching Hypnobirthing courses for 6 years now, I didn’t know anything about it for my first labour and I certainly didn’t feel prepared or confident. 4 years later I used the techniques to birth my second child and it was the most empowering and healing experience of my life. Following my son’s traumatic delivery, my daughter’s birth was completely peaceful, calm, relaxed and even enjoyable. I birthed her without the need for any pain relief or assistance at home in the water. This is just my experience, but a testament to how effective the techniques are. I was extremely anxious and full of fear following that first experience, but Hypnobirthing enabled me to release all fears around birth, know how to help myself and understand exactly what was happening. It was a truly wonderful and healing experience. I was taking her along to courses from a few weeks old as I felt more passionate than ever to share this wonderful programme.
KG Hypnobirthing teacher training course are accredited by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) because midwives and hospitals benefit from the more calm and straightforward births as a result of KG Hypnobirthing, with shorter labours and fewer interventions.
Harrow Babies have evening courses running from Elstree and weekend courses in Harrow on alternate months. For further information please visit www.harrowbabies.co.uk
Breech Babies
As a Webster Technique Certified Chiropractor, and trained in the Spinning Babies approach, I am asked regularly to help turn breech babies.
I always explain that as a chiropractor I do not turn babies. What I do is create an opportunity so that babies can get into the best possible position…normally that’s head down, but not always.
The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic sacral analysis and diversified adjustment. The goal of the adjustment is to reduce the effects of sacral subluxation/ SI joint dysfunction. In doing so, neuro-bio mechanical function in the pelvis is facilitated.
Sounds a bit complicated and confusing, but it is simple, I help create space. I help create balance, I help create a change and I help create a better brain and body connection.
I feel there has been an increase in the number of woman who have babies in a breech position in the last decade and I blame it on that fact that more woman are sitting in front of a desk all day more than ever before and they are not exercising or moving. Woman also tend to cross their legs and wear heels which creates less than optimum conditions. The research tells us that 3-5% of babies are in a breech position at birth and they pressure mums to have cesarean sections as this is thought to be the safest way to deliver the baby.
Pregnancy is a normal natural part of life. It is also a stress on the body. Any physical problems are usually amplified in pregnancy because of the increased strain on the body. I highly recommend if you have had previous back problems to go and see a chiropractor before you get pregnant to make sure you are in the best alignment for the pregnancy as this is another reason a baby does not get into the best position.
Most mums are shocked to learn that fetal position is normally determined early in the pregnancy, from week 10-24. The soft tissue, ligaments, muscles and the alignment of the pelvis and the whole body is set at this stage, which is why it is important for mums to add body balancing techniques early so that baby has the best chance to get into an ideal position for birth by 34 weeks.
Before 30 weeks, women should have good posture, be walking regularly and exercising, as this will help most babies get into an optimal position. I recommend starting the forward leaning inversion, a spinning babies technique at the start of the third trimester and holding it for 30 seconds, unless there are any contraindications in doing. It helps create room in the lower uterus so babies can use that space, with the natural pull of gravity, to get into a more ideal position. The technique comes from Dr. Carol Phillips a Chiropractor.
My biggest frustration is that mums wait too long to do anything about getting baby into the optimal position. Birth is probably one of the biggest events in a mum’s life and unfortunately, little is done to prepare physically or emotionally. Some women take antenatal classes, some are starting to take hypnobirthing classes, some do pregnancy yoga. I believe all pregnant mums should do all these things including seeing a Webster Trained chiropractor.
Ideally, if you find out your baby is in a breech position the Webster Technique is best done early to help baby get into an optimal position. So please do not wait.
If you have any questions regarding a breech baby or any questions about seeing a chiropractor during pregnancy please get in touch.
Head Shape
As a parent, you may have noticed your baby developing a flattening of the back of head and wondered does it matter?
This flattening is called Deformational Plagiocephaly. I have noticed a rapid rise in the number or mums and dads who bring their babies into my office for this. One of the main reasons is due to the American Pediatric Associations ‘Back to Sleep’ campaign of the early nineties. While it is important for babies to sleep on their backs, there are things that can be done to help prevent or correct the effects of this on their head shape. Another cause of Plagiocephaly is in utero constraints or pressure in utero from multiple births, breech position, small or misaligned maternal pelvis or even premature babies. A babies head is heavy and soft; birth places a significant strain on a baby’s head and neck. Plagiocephaly may develop soon after birth especially if there is an underlying imbalance on the neck or cranial-dural system. This can create a head position preference while sleeping.
Often parents are told that Plagiocephaly is just an aesthetic issue and there is nothing to be concerned about.
The research indicates there is an association between Plagiocephaly and developmental delays. These delays may affect your child in the areas of motor development, cognition and learning.
Baby’s brains develop rapidly-the care they receive plays a vital role.
As a chiropractor, I assess your baby’s spine and cranial-dural system for imbalances, postural asymmetry and restrictions in head turning. I take measurement of the babies skull so we can assess the progress after a course of care, we also take photographs pre and post care to document change. Care consists of gentle postural and spinal alignment to help improve movement and function.
Ideally, it is best to bring them into the office before 3 months to have the greatest impact on change. Between 3-6 months is okay and from 6-9 months, the changes are slower but still important.
I also give homework. There are many things that can be done at home to coincide with the care they are receiving at the office to help create a change in head shape.
This is what one of my clients had to say.
My daughter had flat head and was 9 months when I first approached Nita. We saw Nita during the time I was in London. Living abroad, I always struggled to find a chiropractor that dealt with flat head. Nita was a blessing in disguise! At the initial appointment, my daughters head measurements were taken from the Glabella between the eye to the external occipital protuberance (EOP) on the right and left. The left was measured at 23cm and the right at 20cm. After a course of care, measurements were taken again and she was 22cm on the left and 22cm on right. Her head shape changed during this time and there were noticeable improvements. I would highly recommend Nita, she is a wonderful person inside and out and excellent with children of all ages.
If you are concerned about your baby’s head shape please call our office or email us to get in touch.
0203 538 0610 or 07825818315
www.vibrantchiropractic.co.uk
vibrantchiropracticuk@gmail.com