Pregnancy Massage
Updated: Aug 18, 2022
For the Health and Wellbeing of You and Your Baby
Pregnancy is a time of many amazing changes that your body will go through. Your body is adapting and accommodating the new growing life within you. You need to find ways to care and support yourself body, mind and spirit, since two people are dependant on your health and vitality.
Massage for Comfort and Support
Massage can help with many of the aches and pains that are experienced while your body and life is changing. Here are some of the ways that massage can help:
Reduces muscle cramping and tender trigger points from tight muscles.
Reduces pain in the muscles and joints shoulders, back, hips and legs.
Improves flexibility, enhancing your body’s ability to adapt to the changes that are occurring.
Help you experience the changes that are occurring to you body in a positive and accepting way.
Ease the stress of the social adjustments that must be made at home, work and with family and friends.
Eases constipation, gas and heartburn.
Decrease fluid retention.
Relieves headaches.
Inhibits the progressions of varicose veins and stretch marks.
Learn self care techniques for sleeping positions, stretches, breathing techniques to manage the discomfort of labor.
During your Massage
In a massage session that supports pregnancy, pillows and cushions will be used for comfortable positioning. In later pregnancy you may be position in a side-lying position. If this position is not comfortable you can request to be seated for your massage session. You are always covered or draped with a sheet, towel or blanket, except when an area is being massaged.
Your comfort is very important so if you become hot, ask for less covers, if you are sensitive to smells ask unscented lotion be used, if you need to use the restroom ask, if something does not feel right, it is fine to interrupt your massage, your comfort and safety is key.
If you are not sure about receiving massage during your pregnancy talk to your massage therapist, with most pregnancies massage is a great asset. Do keep you massage therapist informed of any medical changes that occur, even if you think it is not important.
As always it is wise to talk to you healthcare provider about prenatal and postpartum massage. Massage is not appropriate for certain medical conditions.
Massage During Labor
Did you know that stress interferes with the hormones that help induce labor? Massage during labor can encourage a faster delivery process. Massage can help with relaxation between contractions, help ease the pain of muscle contraction, offer emotional comfort, support and encouragement during the birthing process. You and your birthing partner can meet with your massage therapist to learn techniques that can be used during the labor process.
Massage Postpartum
After your baby has arrived, it is still important to take care of yourself. Your body has been through a major process, and will continue to go through changes to heal, repair and prepare you for motherhood. Self-care is important so that you can care for your infant. Massage can also reduce stress, which can limit milk production for breast-feeding, also can be a great source of comfort during postpartum “ the baby-blues”. As always, check with your healthcare provider when it would be a good idea to continue with massage.
