Massage & Pregnancy

Bringing a new life into the world is a miraculous, joyous, wonderful and challenging experience for both expectant partners. In addition, it is a proven fact that pregnancy deeply affects each of them individually and their relationship as a couple.

Massage during pregnancy

More and more women are finding that a weekly or monthly massage during pregnancy helps to reduce stress and promote relaxation:

  • provides emotional support (especially for those women who are going through the experience alone);
  • relieves muscle spasms, cramps and general aches and pains;
  • increases circulation and thus reduces the possibility of varicose veins and swelling in the feet and legs;
  • helps with digestion and reduces the likelihood of stretch marks.

Pregnant clients report that their massage sessions leave them feeling relaxed and comfortable, and with increased self-confidence and an enhanced body image. However, massage during pregnancy should be avoided by women with placental dysfunctions, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, toxaemia or threatened miscarriage.

Did you know that during pregnancy:

  • the heart increases total blood volume by 30 to 50 percent;
  • the lungs increase oxygen consumption by 10 to 20 percent, which requires a 30 to 40 percent increase of inhaled air;
  • the digestive system must handle increased food intake while it becomes displaced and the intestines, stomach and diaphragm are pushed upward by the enlarged uterus;
  • blood flow in the kidneys increases by 35 percent and filtering function increases by 40 percent;
  • increased urination and urine leakage result from pressure on the bladder by the uterus;
  • rashes, breakouts, and discoloration can plague the skin;
  • weight gain increases the curvature of the lumbar spine and stress on the bones and joints;
  • Relaxin, a hormone that makes the ligaments more stretchable causes the joints to become less stable.

Because of these normal body changes in pregnancy, you quite often hear:

  • "Will I ever look normal again";
  • "Slow down, I'm out of breath";
  • "Will I ever be regular again?";
  • "Where's the restroom?";
  • "Is there anything safe I can use to get rid of these brown patches?";
  • "My back is killing me";
  • "My body feels so loose, like it's going in different directions."

As you can see a woman's body goes through many changes during pregnancy; some can be uncomfortable.

The Benefits of Massage during Pregnancy

During pregnancy a woman's body undergoes many changes, some of them stressful and uncomfortable. Massage is a perfect way to reduce stress and promote general well-being:

  • massage helps mum’s body to eliminate waste products through the lymphatic and circulatory systems, which combat fatigue and helps the mother feel more energetic;
  • by aiding circulation, massage eases the load on mom's heart and helps to keep her blood pressure in check;
  • muscular discomforts, such as cramping, tightening, stiffness, tension, and knots, can all be alleviated;
  • massage helps carry away the lactic acid and other cellular waste products that build up and cause muscle fatigue;
  • massage can help relieve depression or anxiety caused by hormonal changes mum is experiencing;
  • massage relieves many of the normal discomforts during pregnancy, such as backaches, a stiff neck, leg cramps, headaches, oedema, and sore, swollen ankles and feet;
  • massage increases local and general blood circulation, which brings more oxygen and nutrients to the cells of both the mother and foetus. This means greater vitality and less fatigue for mom and better nourishment for her baby;
  • massage stimulates glandular secretions, which helps stabilize hormone levels;
  • massage can help relieve depression or anxiety caused by hormonal changes mom is experiencing;
  • it relaxes tense muscles and tones loose muscles, and can also increase muscular flexibility. Flexibility will be most helpful during the last trimester and during the birth itself;
  • massage helps to soothe and relax nervous tension, which helps the mother sleep more easily and more deeply. Incidentally, doctors all agree that a relaxed mother will have a happier, healthier pregnancy and possibly an easier childbirth experience, too.

During the consultation

Massage can be used during the birth to make it easier and more comfortable for mom, and after the birth as well, to help her regain her strength more quickly and ease postpartum stress.

You may be asked how your feeling physically and emotionally, we talk about eating habits, exercise regime, worries and any aches, pains and cramps.

You may like to discuss with me comments on the fact that perhaps you may have been getting particularly bad cramp in your calf muscles, also of having signs of water retention in ankles and need to drink lots more water.

Before you leave I may show you some very gentle stretches for you to do in your own time. We aim to be informative to women and give them the tools to use themselves after the treatment has finished.

From one of my clients:

"The massage itself is, of course, bliss. It's so lovely to lie comfortably on my side and I am aware that the therapist is concentrating longer on areas which feel tight or knotty. My past experience of the massage is that the therapist simply goes through the paces leaving you longing for more attention on stressed areas."

Benefits of Infant Massage (for baby)

  • stimulates circulation;
  • releases stress;
  • improves muscle tone;
  • improves sleeping patterns;
  • reduces discomfort from colic, gas, and constipation;
  • strengthens digestive, circulatory, and intestinal systems;
  • improves body awareness;
  • stimulates right/left brain development and coordination;
  • increases sense of being loved and accepted.

It is important that if in any doubt at all, have a chat with your doctor before booking an appointment with a therapist.