Pregnancy Massage

Pregnancy is a life changing experience emotionally and physically, each and every pregnancy being a totally individual and unique experience. Some mothers breeze through the whole experience beautifully but for the vast majority of us we experience some level of physical and or emotional ups and downs before, during and after pregnancy.
There are many things we can do to help ourselves through pregnancy one therapy which I personally found most beneficial was massage. Prenatal and labour support “massage” has accompanied childbirth throughout the Eastern and some of the western world for thousands of years.

What are the Benefits?

Pregnancy massage can be used to help relieve back pain, leg cramps, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, it stimulates the blood and lymphatic system increasing immunity and the removal of toxins, It encourages relaxation aiding in any sleeping difficulties, stabilize hormones and plays an important role in stress reduction and relaxation. It also adds tone and flexibility to muscles – all of which enhance the health of both you and your baby.

By the 9th month of pregnancy a woman’s blood volume will have increased by as much as 50 percent, The lymphatic system works to remove excess fluid from the body, and increasing lymphatic circulation is what helps diminish swelling in the legs. Research proves the enormous benefits to both the mother and the developing foetus
Massage and excersise can help prepare the woman’s body for labour, Muscle and joint flexibility may allow more birth choices and encourage a natural birth. To give ourselves the best chance of an easy labour we need to be able to listen to our bodies needs.

Does my baby feel the massage?

Studies have shown that stressed mothers produce stressed babies and calm mothers produce calm babies. Every emotion has a biochemical component to it. When you feel anxious, for instance, you secrete stress hormones, such as adrenaline and nor-adrenaline. Conversely, when you are relaxed, from a massage let’s say, you secrete beta-endorphins which make you feel calm, relaxed and at ease. Since you share a circulatory system with your baby while you are pregnant, it makes sense that whatever you feel is also experienced by the developing foetus.

What Does a Session Involve?

A detailed medical history is taken which enables an appropriate treatment plan to be created. A side-lying position enables the massage to be carried out on the couch or on a futon on the floor, pillows and cushions ensures that you are fully supported and comfortable at all times.

Regular massage can improve posture, muscle tone and flexibility, all of which help prepare the body for labour. By helping the body cope with all of the imminent changes regular bodywork, can encourage you to have a more positive pregnancy and labour experience, for example:

Elimination of waste: Massage helps the body eliminate waste products through the lymphatic and circulatory systems. This elimination combats waste-promoting fatigue, which gives the expectant mother a much-needed energy surge.
Blood pressure control: By aiding circulation, massage eases the load on the heart, keeping her blood pressure under control and minimizing varicosities.
Reduce muscle discomfort: Muscular discomforts, such as cramping, tightening, stiffness, sciatica tension and knots are typical during pregnancy.
Hormonal balancing: Massage has been proven to reduce stress hormone levels, which can relieve stress, depression or anxiety
Headache and sinus relief: Perhaps due to the increased blood flow to mucus membranes that occurs with pregnancy, many expectant mothers experience headaches and sinus congestion.
Edema reduction: Quite commonly expectant women experience swollen ankles and some swelling. By stimulating lymphatic drainage, massage can help the body accommodate and process the excessive water.
Fetus nourishment: Through massage function to increase systemic blood circulation, an increase in oxygen and nutrients can reach the fetal cells. This results in better nourishment and a greater index of health for the unborn baby.
Increases flexibility: While pregnancy hormones relax tendons and ligaments to accommodate a growing belly, the addition of massage can relax the accompanying muscles. Muscle relaxation has many benefits to an expectant mother, including a decrease in muscular cramps and increased flexibility to help with the birth process.
Body image transformation: The psychological impact of an expecting mother’s changing body can be one of the most challenging parts of her pregnancy.
Sleep support: Massage has a calming and relaxing effect. This dissolution of nervous tension encourages deep and restful sleep,
During labour: Appropriately applied massage during a birth can reduce low back pain and labour pain. Many midwives and birth doulas use varying massage techniques during labour and birth.
After birth: After the delivery, massage can help the recovery process, encouraging structural realignment, restore abdominal integrity, facilitate healing after a caesarean section, regain her strength, relieve strain from caring for the new baby and ease postpartum stress.

Pre and post natal massage was an area I specifically wanted to train in, I have had 5 pregnancies 2 of which ended in miscarriage, so I am proud mother to three energetic children. Each one of my pregnancies bought it’s own complications physically and emotionally, and each birth was very different, 2 being 3 days in labour and the latter being 2 and a half hours. I have personally experienced the benefits of being in tune with your body and receiving regular massage during and after pregnancy, I take great pleasure in being able to do the same for others.

I have had the privelage of supporting couples during two labours, offering massage and emotional support to both parents, one of which delivered an eleven pound baby with no pain relief or gas and air.