Pre-Natal Massage Benefits Two!
By Veronica Villarreal
There is no other time in a woman's life which massage can have such important an application than during pregnancy. When we begin to envision pregnancy as far more than a physical state, and see it as a profound mental, emotional, and spiritual process, it is clear that prenatal massage can be of great benefit to the expecting mother. We, as women, have long held the amazing power to influence the state of our bodies. With our thoughts and feelings, we allow our physical appearance or state of health to dominate how we feel about ourselves as individuals. C'mon ladies, how many of us have allowed the, "bad day," syndrome to ruin an otherwise perfectly good day, with bad mood swings and negativity. Or have created an acne breakout when nervous about a new job or date for that matter. Leave it to the Law of Attraction…our thoughts become things. Talk about powerful manifesting goddesses!
You might be asking yourself, "What is prenatal massage?" Far more than a pampering treatment, prenatal massage tailors specifically to the needs of pregnant women and their changing bodies. It is a form of therapeutic bodywork that is geared to meet the unique needs of the expecting mother, designed to promote a healthy pregnancy and smoother delivery. I consider it an essential, and very enjoyable might I add, component of regular prenatal care for all pregnant women. If only I would have known the benefits of it when I was expecting my first child 15 years ago. Now, I am happy to share this knowledge and service with as many women as possible.
A good massage therapist provides physical, mental, emotional, and some times even spiritual supportive measures, by using special techniques and positions on the table, considering each woman's unique condition and any complications she may be experiencing.
As you share your body with your developing child, you can also share the many benefits and comfort that prenatal massage brings to your body, mind, and spirit. As a compliment to regular prenatal care, prenatal massage offers women the therapeutic benefits of nurturing touch during a time when they are undergoing many physical, psychological, and social changes. A woman's body goes through tremendous changes during pregnancy. Changes such as an increase in hormones, along with the shift in the center of gravity that comes from weight gain, and a change in body shape as her abdomen grows. Also, the curve of her lower back increases and her knees tend to rotate outwards. These changes put extra strain on the muscles of the hips and lower back. Pain tends to develop in the muscles of the neck, back, and hips. All these changes often make most women downright uncomfortable!
None the less, as was my experience, pregnancy can be a wonderful time of personal transformation. A time of profound physical change that brings a new level of body awareness to us as women. Prenatal massage and massage therapy during labor, and the post-partum period, enhances all aspects of a woman's health care regimen. As a matter of fact, numerous studies support the positive effects of nurturing touch and therapeutic massage on pregnant and post-partum women. Prenatal massage can provide an excellent means not only for relieving body stress, but also for helping women deal with emotional fears and concerns. When a woman feels at peace and healthy in her body, mind, and spirit, she will manifest a more positive birth experience.
Studies have credited prenatal massage with relief from fatigue, headaches, leg pain/cramps, constipation, nausea, and indigestion. It also strengthens muscles in preparation for labor and delivery, helps control blood pressure, relieves pain associated with pressure on the sciatic nerve in the buttocks and back of the leg, maintains posture and body balance, strengthens the immune system, enhances self-image, and even helps keep the skin supple to prevent stretch marks. Woo-hoo! Don't toss that bathing suit out just yet ladies!
In addition to enhancing relaxation and providing stress reduction, prenatal massage reduces pain from pregnancy-induced carpal tunnel syndrome, edema (swelling), depression, and improves circulation and deeper respiration---during the last trimester of my second pregnancy, until my son was born, I couldn't remember what it was like to breathe normally. His feet were always pushing up against my lungs and he was a kicker!
Benefits for Two! Mutually beneficial, having regular prenatal massage therapy maximizes therapeutic benefits and safety for both mother and baby. It increases blood flow to the uterus, placenta, and fetus, and improves lymph flow which helps flush out toxins; therefore, more nutrients and oxygen promote healthy tissues for both mother and baby. Let's not forget the very important and enchanting experience of bonding between mother and her baby as well.
How do I lie on the table? Most women find it uncomfortable to lie facedown right from the beginning g of pregnancy because of tenderness in their breasts. And once your belly really starts to grow, you can't lie facedown. If you find that you can lie facedown, it is not advised to do so due to the possible increase in intrauterine pressure, which may pose a risk to the baby. Lying on your back is not a good idea either. Especially once you're past the mid point of your pregnancy, because the weight of your uterus puts too much pressure on the vein that returns blood from your legs to your heart. For this reason, your massage therapist may have you in a side-lying position with all areas of the body easily accessible. Your therapist may start you off by having you lie down 30 minutes on one side, then 30 minutes on the other. Or, you may be lying on one side for the entire session.
Communication is key for ideal positioning, comfort, and safety during your sessions. A good therapist knows where a pregnant woman's sore spots are likely to be and may be able to provide some relief through proper positioning on the table. Many women are surprised at how comfortable they can lie on their side when they are properly aligned and supported, and they can apply these simple tips to sleeping at home as well.
Your first prenatal massage session with me would last from about an hour to an hour and a half. During this session, it may include up to 15 minutes of what I like to call, "Talk Therapy." During this time, I will review your health intake form that you fill out when you first arrive, briefly discuss the positive benefits of prenatal massage and gentle touch for mother and baby, I will ask what you would like to get out of your prenatal massage, review certain precautions, and briefly describe the various massage strokes I will use and positioning on the table for highest comfort and safety. The actual massage lasts 1-hour, with low lighting and soft music playing in the background, and you will be covered by a sheet and supported with pillows. I may even include some aromatherapy, permitting that your sense of smell hasn't gone "hay-wire." Aaahh, the joys of pregnancy. There are other types of massage that can play a vital role in a mother's health regimen including Birthing Massage, Post-partum Massage, and Infant Massage.
During a Birthing Massage, the massage therapist is included in the mother's immediate system of support from the time labor begins to the birth of the baby. Research shows that caring touch during deliveries result in fewer requests for pain medication, smoother births, shorter births, and fewer complications.
As far as after delivery, any woman who has given birth can benefit from the therapeutic effects of Post-partum Massage. Having a new baby can be an incredibly spiritual experience for the mother, but let's face it ladies, the physical, mental, and emotional challenges of nursing and caring for a newborn creates a lot of stress. Fortunately, that can be addressed through massage. More good news---post-partum massage has been shown to positively affect post-partum depression. No excuses ladies, be good to yourself!
More benefits for two! Infant massage is also highly recommended and beneficial for most newborns. An infant massage may be a Swedish-type of massage or may be experienced as energy work, as in Reiki for example. It has been shown to speed up the growth of premature infants, shorten hospital stays, lower stress, and can be used to address a number of concerns such as birth trauma, colic, and gastro-intestinal problems, just to name a few.
But Is It Really Safe? Prenatal massage is highly recommended for healthy women experiencing a normal pregnancy. It's important to check with your OBGYN for a list of contraindications that may apply to you and to get a letter giving you the o.k. to receive massage. Most therapists, including myself, require this before they will even set an appointment for you. Women with one or more of the following contraindications should avoid prenatal massage:
- Unusual pain
- Heavy bloody or watery discharge
- Placental dysfunction
- Diarrhea
- Infectious disease
- Pre-eclampsia or eclampsia
- Skin irritation and/or discharge
- Some high risk pregnancies
- Threatened miscarriage
- Fever
- Vomiting and/or morning sickness
- And in most cases, a pregnant woman should avoid massage therapy during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Again, to ensure you and your baby's safety, a signed release form from your OBGYN will more than likely be required before beginning a massage regimen. As your pregnancy progresses, your health condition might change and massage sessions might not be appropriate. Do yourself, and your baby, a favor…keep your massage therapist informed with any changes in your body and your health in general.
As for me, being a mother of two sons and having had the roller-coaster ride of being pregnant, going through labor, and giving birth was, and still is, exciting, profound, spiritual, and best of all fun! Becoming a mom is the best thing I've ever done. I strongly believe that prenatal massage therapy is greatly beneficial for expecting mothers. It not only promotes physical well-being for both mother and baby, but it also helps mothers prepare psychologically and spiritually for the process of labor and birth.
I invite you to learn more about prenatal massage and/or schedule an appointment today! Feel free to contact me at (661) 889-4321. Or visit my website at www.veronicalightworker.com. Be Good to Yourself! Feel Good!