Pre-Natal Massage

Pre-Natal Massage | Infant Massage | Hot Stone Massage

Massage for Health specializes in pre- and perinatal massage. Great physical and emotional changes occur throughout pregnancy. Massage during this very special time can help the woman feel more comfortable with those changes. The massage is focused on the particular concerns associated with each trimester.

Benefits of massage during pregnancy:
• Reduced musculoskeletal pain and strain
• Reduced stress, sleep is facilitated and there is less fatigue
• Massage can help reduce edema and blood pressure

Benefits of massage during labor:
• Less painful labor and reduced labor complications by increasing the ability to relax

Benefits of massage postpartum:
• Massage helps the woman’s body recover, particularly the abdominal region
• Massage helps with strain associated with childcare duties

Prenatal Massage Is Not Just A Luxury
by Julie Weibler, Certified Prenatal and Postnatal Massage Therapist and Infant Massage Instructor

Many people view massage therapy as a luxury—something that you do for a special treat. However, massage is not just a luxury; it has been shown that massage has many benefits beyond the “feels good” time spent receiving a massage. These benefits include stress reduction, relaxation, improved body function, and reduction of musculoskeletal strain and pain. While these benefits are valuable for anyone, the benefits of receiving massage throughout pregnancy and during the postpartum period from a specially-trained massage therapist are particularly valuable.

Pregnancy is a time of great change for a woman. Not only are there the obvious physical changes in her body, her emotional state can change several times throughout a day, her relationships change, and her sense of who she is changes. The woman may worry about what kind of mother she will be, her baby’s health, and how her life will change after the baby arrives. All of this can create mental and physical stress above and beyond what she was experiencing prior to pregnancy. Furthermore, the shifts in her body structure cause muscle strain and discomfort resulting in fatigue.

One of the biggest benefits of prenatal massage is that it helps the expectant mother manage her stress level. While some stress is necessary, chronic stress can have significant negative impacts for the expectant mother and developing baby. If not managed, stress in the mother can cause increased maternal heart rate, blood pressure, nausea and vomiting, and greater likelihood of illness during the pregnancy. In the developing fetus, maternal stress can lead to lower fetal heart rate and less oxygenation. Animal studies have suggested that the effects of maternal stress may be exhibited not only in the newborn period, but well into the child’s life and may be one of the causes of attention deficit disorder.

Massage can help the expectant mother to feel more comfortable during the special time of pregnancy. First of all, it gives her a safe place to vent her fears, frustrations, and worries. Secondly, a specially-trained massage therapist knows different techniques to target areas of discomfort such as the shoulders, chest, and the back and hips to bring some relief as the body structure changes. Also, massage helps with circulation and problems associated with increased blood volume such as edema. Lastly, as discomfort is reduced and the body and mind are relaxed, sleep may be improved resulting in less overall fatigue.

Massage is beneficial at each stage of pregnancy. During the first trimester the massage will be adjusted so as to not add to the feeling of nausea, the relaxation effects of massage may allow her to sleep, and the muscles of the shoulder and chest region are worked to help the muscles adjust to her shifting center of gravity. Massage during the second trimester will most likely address physical discomfort in the low back and hips. Massage during this time may also reduce the incidence of leg cramps. Part way through the second trimester the safest positioning for the massage is with the woman on her side. Since the baby grows the most during the last trimester, there is greater musculoskeletal strain and discomfort, particularly in the pelvic region. Massage can help reduce the discomfort in the hips and help move fluid from the legs and feet. Gentle and light massage can help relieve itchiness of the stretched skin and muscles in the abdominal region. Later in the third trimester, the massage can include relaxation exercises and work to increase the flexibility of the hips and legs to prepare for labor.

Massage during labor can help the woman relax so that contractions are more productive as she isn’t tensing as much against them. Relaxation also helps her to conserve energy for the delivery of the baby. The massage therapist can help the woman by applying counter pressure, help her try different positions, and help ease muscle cramps. With a more relaxed labor, there tend to be fewer interventions or complications.

Following the birth of the baby, the body goes through another transformation. While the body is returning to its previous form, the mother is also using her muscles in new and repetitive ways to feed and care for her baby. The muscles of the arms and upper back become strained with lifting, carrying, and rocking motions. Massage can help reduce the soreness of overuse and may help reduce the possibility of developing tendonitis in the elbow. Massage can also help the abdominal muscles recover from being stretched during pregnancy. Additionally, massage can help a mother relax emotionally so that she is better able to handle the stresses associated with child rearing. Research has also shown that massage can lessen the baby blues.

Massage from a specially-trained prenatal massage therapist has many health benefits throughout, and after, pregnancy for both the mother and baby. The benefits may also extend to those around the woman as she feels better and is more relaxed. Schedule an appointment with a certified prenatal massage therapist and experience for yourself that massage is not just a luxury—it is a worthwhile addition to a wellness program.