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Ellidy Grace Bell 💗 Born 11th January. Weighing 3.4kg. She is so healthy and happy! Birth and the first few days postpar...
16/01/2025

Ellidy Grace Bell 💗
Born 11th January. Weighing 3.4kg. She is so healthy and happy! Birth and the first few days postpartum were a wild ride. Will share more soon but for now we are just resting and enjoying the newborn bubble

37 weeks 💫🌼After a pretty stressful two months I feel like I'm getting back to a bit more normality and I'm excited to s...
19/12/2024

37 weeks 💫🌼

After a pretty stressful two months I feel like I'm getting back to a bit more normality and I'm excited to share a some more of my pregnancy journey again. This last month in particular, I've just been focusing on resting as much as possible and working on any fears that have recently been coming up around the birth

I had a bit of a scare last week where I was in and out of hospital for monitoring and tests. My blood pressure got really high one night and I had a headache and blurred vision so I took myself straight to hospital.. I cried in the car as I was sure I had pre-eclampsia and would be induced at 36 weeks. But after lots of monitoring and my blood work & urine samples coming back negative for pre-eclampsia signs, I was able to go home and it was a huge relief to keep baby girl in there for a bit longer

A learning lesson is that automatic blood pressure monitors do not work well for me and all the manual readings by the midwife's were much lower (the manual BP is way more accurate than the auto readings for pregnant women)

Then the conversations about my baby measuring small started.. Intuitively I knew that she was fine, my belly had dropped alot recently, she moves non stop and I was adamant that my belly keeps getting bigger each week but one fundal height measurement was particularly behind so I consented for CTG monitoring and a growth scan. Turns out that yes, she is extremely busy in there 😂 and is measuring on the 56th percentile so just above average and perfectly healthy. I declined follow up foetal monitoring because I know that she is fine. FYI you don't need to consent to everything just because someone tells you that you need to

I still have a few blood markers that need work and one particular fear that I'm still working through but overall I'm feeling so much better about everything. I'm also aware that grief about my dad may play out in my labour but I know there is nothing I can do to prepare for that other than being mindful that it may happen and knowing that I have an amazing partner and supportive team who can help me work through it when things get tough or I loose my s**t during transition 🤍

Last week my beautiful dad passed away suddenly and completely unexpectedly 💔 We had literally only been back in Melbour...
24/11/2024

Last week my beautiful dad passed away suddenly and completely unexpectedly 💔 We had literally only been back in Melbourne few days when he died. I've been in compelte shock, heartbroken and beyond exhausted after our interstate move at 8.5 months pregnant and then loosing my dad.. it has all just been so hard to process. I then spent all this week organising his funeral which was a few days ago

I wasn't going to share this publically but so many of you have messaged me excitedly asking me how the move went and if I'm enjoying Melbourne. I so appreciate you all checking in but I apologise to many of you who I still havent replied to.. I just haven't had the mental capacity to explain how absolutely nothing about our move went to plan and what I've been trying to deal with

My dad and I were very close. We were similar in so many ways. He fostered my love of nature and animals. He was incredibly open minded and taught me to question everything. He was intuitive and played a big role in helping me become the osteopath I am today. We talked alot about the human body and birth. I feel so lucky that he gave me me many opportunities to witness animals giving birth as a child. Even before I fell pregnant we spoke alot about the birth I wanted to have. He was so excited to meet our little girl and become a grandpa. The timing of his death just feels so unfair as she was so close to being here

Once I was on maternity leave, I wanted to document the last of my pregnancy journey with you all and share how I'm preparing my body and mind for birth. But now it's obviously looking very different for me and my priorities have shifted. I need to do everything I can to focus on connecting with my baby and keeping myself calm and relaxed.

I know how grief and trauma manifests in the body as tension and how big emotions can show up in the birth space so this is now my main focus in terms of birth prep. I may decide to share more at a later date depending on how I'm feeling. But for now I want to say thank you to everyone who's reached out to me and apologies to those who I still havent replied to xx

I had my last appointment with my beautiful midwife today before we leave for Melbourne next week. Feeling so grateful ...
31/10/2024

I had my last appointment with my beautiful midwife today before we leave for Melbourne next week. Feeling so grateful to have been supported by her for 7.5 months of my pregnancy but I'm so sad that she's not going to be my midwife for birth

I've known for years that I wanted Janine to care for me when I finally became pregnant. I have had so many clients and friends who have been supported by her and I had so much trust in her before I'd even actually met her. So I'm feeling a bit emotional about all the big changes coming up and all the beautiful people I've had to say goodbye to this week

Having continuity of care throughout pregnancy and birth is one of the biggest predictors of a positive birth experience.. regardless of how your birth actually unfolds. I'm so grateful that I have access to this type of care and I wish all women could be supported in this way ❤

Having a known care provider during pregnancy and birth is priceless. Yesterday I was feeling really unsettled about a f...
12/10/2024

Having a known care provider during pregnancy and birth is priceless. Yesterday I was feeling really unsettled about a few things so I messaged my beautiful midwife asking her for some advice. She called me straight away and told me I was welcome to come over to chat and do a few checks to reassure me

She made time for me on a Saturday afternoon when she should have been spending time with her family. She also had some delicious cakes waiting for me to cheer me up (food is my love language 😂). We sat on the couch and chatted for like an hour, she let me ask all my questions and some more

I left feeling so much calmer and having a deeper understanding of why these things popped up for me emotionally when they did. There are some big transitions happening in my world, not just physically, and I think it all caught up with me this week, especially with not having Alex around

I havent doubted my bodies ability to grow my baby safely until yesterday. But my midwife reminded me that we become more open and vulnerable in the later stages of pregnancy and this is often when big emotions bubble up to be processed. Pregnancy and birth is a rite of passage and is just as much a spiritual experience as it is a physical one

I'm so grateful to have access to someone I trust so much and this type of continuity of care model. I wish all women could be cared for in this way ❤

6 months of growing our little girl. Time has been going soo fast, I can't believe we get to meet her in only a few mont...
17/09/2024

6 months of growing our little girl. Time has been going soo fast, I can't believe we get to meet her in only a few months!

Last week Alex took some photos of the bump at sunrise and we are so happy with how they turned out.. he's a man of many talents haha 👏

What are the most common complaints I see during pregnancy in the clinic?⚡Pelvic girdle pain⚡Pubic symphysis dysfunction...
14/08/2024

What are the most common complaints I see during pregnancy in the clinic?

⚡Pelvic girdle pain
⚡Pubic symphysis dysfunction (SPD)
⚡Round ligament pain
⚡Coccyx pain
⚡Low back pain
⚡Sciatica
⚡Reflux and indigestion
⚡Constipation
⚡Rib pain
⚡Carpal tunnel
⚡Neck, jaw and shoulder pain

These are some of the most common presentations I see during pregnancy but treatment isn't limited to this list - I treat a wide variety of conditions! 

I’ve been a bit slack with posting over the last 6 months but I’m going to start sharing more about what I get upto in the clinic and how I  treat these conditions women experience frequently. Because although they are common during pregnancy, they are not normal and you don't need to put up with it.

So often I have people come into clinic saying that they have back pain because they've put on weight.. while this can b...
13/07/2024

So often I have people come into clinic saying that they have back pain because they've put on weight.. while this can be true in some cases, I hate how many health complaints are just blamed on weight...

Pain is much more complex than that!

The pelvic floor muscles and breathing mechanics probably have the biggest influence on the low back and pelvis. More so than your weight!

Yes of course weight can play a role - more downward pressure on the area will put more strain on ligaments, joints and muscles but it's not the whole picture.

This is why I always screen your bowel & bladder habits, breathing dysfunction and stress levels when taking my case history. Back pain is complex and often caused by so many factors!

Common things that can contribute to low back pain include pelvic floor dysfunction, lack of movement, stress, poor work ergonomics, asthma, allergies, anxiety, depression, lack of sleep, constipation, poor bowel and bladder habits, inappropriate footwear, endometriosis, fibroids, gut and liver issues, inflammation, poor diet, jaw tension, compression garments.. I could go on forever!

This is why your health practitioner may ask you questions about your overall health, different bodily systems, mental health, lifestyle and daily habits when taking a case history.. it's all important 💥

Its been so fascinating observing how people respond to a visible physical ailment. People have been so kind when they'v...
15/03/2024

Its been so fascinating observing how people respond to a visible physical ailment. People have been so kind when they've seen me hobbling around due to my broken foot. Lots of concern and offers of help. 

This has been a really interesting thing to process.. Honestly my foot pain has been nothing. Very annoying, yes. Painful, not overly. Maybe 2/10. But so many people live with invisible illness every day and this is rarely acknowledged. Things like Endometriosis. Autoimmune diseases. Fibromyagla. Concussions. Nerve pain. Crohn's disease. Ect.

Endo is invisible and so misunderstood. I've had 10/10 pain from endo more times than I'd like to admit. Pain that leaves you curled up on the bathroom floor in debilitating pain. Shaking. About to pass out. Vomiting from the pain. My poor partner watching helplessly, asking if he needs to take me to hopsital. Endo is not just a "bad period". Its a whole body disease.

I used to experience this level of pain fairly frequently when I was at my worst about 5 years ago. My pain would get so bad I couldn't physically speak or process a conversation. Sometimes I couldn't eat for a day or two due to extreme pain and nausea. I'd go completely pale and have the most intense hot flushes that would nearly make me faint. I've had periods that have been so bad that I couldn't imagine how labour pains could be any worse that what I was experiencing. 

It's crazy what we put up with. How women's health issues are often dismissed and not taken seriously. We tell ourselves "it's not that bad this time". But still we can barely perform the most basic of functions, yet are still expected to go to work or look after kids and a household.

I'm so grateful that I haven't experienced this level of pain for a few years. And I'm even more grateful because I've been lucky to have doctors who actually listen, have empathy and take things seriously. I had a few terrible experiences when I was younger but overall I've been well supported. 

But I also know that this is a privilege. I have the knowledge and the means to seek good health care. Get a second opinion when I've needed it. Advocate for myself even though it's felt uncomfortable.. CONT 👇

It's my first day back in clinic for 2024 tomorrow! I've spent almost 3 weeks in Victoria with all my family and friends...
07/01/2024

It's my first day back in clinic for 2024 tomorrow! I've spent almost 3 weeks in Victoria with all my family and friends. I'm grateful to have been able to take this break to relax and spend quality time with my loved ones

My health hasn't been great the last few months and I was pushing myself a bit too much.. I realised I really needed to switch off so I pretty much disappeared off social media over the holidays. Thank you for your patience during this time!

I've had such a wonderful start to the year and I can't wait to see all my beautiful clients again and I look forward to meeting lots of new clients this year too 💖

Thank you for trusting me with your health, your stories and your body. I love being a part of each and every one of your journey's. Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2024

Much love,

Emma x

My last day in clinic for 2023 will be Wednesday 20th December. I've got a few spots left in both Mona Vale and Brookval...
04/12/2023

My last day in clinic for 2023 will be Wednesday 20th December. I've got a few spots left in both Mona Vale and Brookvale before I head off to spend Christmas in Melbourne with my family 🎄

Unfortunately all of my late evening appointments are fully booked up until the end of year. I do have a few early morning spots free if you need to fit it in around work.

If you want an appointment and can't find any suitable times please send me a message and I will do my best to accommodate you! I can also add you to my waitlist and let you know if I have any cancellations

I'll be back in clinic from the 8th January. Emma x

If you spend every night struggling to fall sleep or are waking during the night, you probably already know that your sl...
30/08/2023

If you spend every night struggling to fall sleep or are waking during the night, you probably already know that your sleep habits need attention 😴

But did you know your sleep quality can impact how you experience pain?

Studies have shown that good quality sleep can affect your perception of pain and decrease your pain sensitivity

For many people, bad habits in the lead up to bedtime are a major contributor to a restless night’s sleep...

If you find that it takes you more than 20 minutes to fall asleep or you are experiencing chronic pain and think that sleep may be a contributing factor, check out my tips in this thread for a better night sleep 💤

Start incorporating some of these small changes to help you fall asleep faster, sleep soundly and wake up feeling refreshed

💢 Obviously there are things that are out of our control (like a unsettled baby) so if this is your situation don't stress there are other things that you can focus on to improve your pain!

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