Supporting a body doing extraordinary work
Pregnancy and postnatal life place profound and rapid demands on the body — physically, hormonally, emotionally, and neurologically.
Pain, fatigue, breath changes, disrupted sleep, and slower recovery are common, but they are not something you should simply push through or normalise without support.
At Livelong, pregnancy and postnatal care is approached with respect for how much your body is carrying, and an understanding that this life stage requires different pacing, deeper listening, and gentler hands.
How the body adapts
During pregnancy, the body is constantly recalibrating to support another life.
This affects:
- posture and load as the centre of gravity shifts
- joints and connective tissue as hormones increase mobility
- breathing mechanics as space and pressure change
- nervous system regulation as demand rises
- recovery capacity as sleep and energy fluctuate
Postnatal life adds further layers — healing, feeding, holding, broken sleep, emotional adjustment, and a gradual return to movement while the system is still adapting.
If your body feels unfamiliar, less reliable, or slower to recover, this is not failure.
It is adaptation under sustained demand.
A calmer, more complete approach to care
Tom works with pregnancy and postnatal bodies as whole systems, not a collection of isolated symptoms.
Care focuses on:
- restoring physical comfort without forcing change
- supporting breath and nervous system regulation
- reducing unnecessary strain and protective tension
- improving confidence in movement and daily tasks
- respecting where your body is right now, not where you think it “should” be
This is not about fixing you.
It’s about supporting your body as it recalibrates.
What care looks like in practice
Sessions are calm, unhurried, and responsive to how you are feeling on the day.
Care may involve:
- gentle hands-on osteopathic work
- acupuncture to support regulation and recovery
- breath-focused support where helpful
- guidance around pacing, posture, and load
Nothing is rushed.
Nothing is forced.
Many people describe leaving sessions feeling:
- less held or strained
- more settled in their body
- clearer in breath and movement
- reassured that what they’re experiencing makes sense
Who this approach is particularly supportive for
This way of working often suits those who:
- feel uncomfortable or sore as pregnancy progresses
- are struggling with fatigue or poor recovery
- feel emotionally or physically overwhelmed
- are postnatal and unsure how to rebuild confidence
- want care that listens rather than rushes
It is especially helpful if you want support that considers your whole experience, not just a single area of pain.