Pre & Perinatal Massage Therapy
What is it?
Massage that is specifically designed bodywork that can be performed through out pregnancy, during labor and the birth of the baby and for the postpartum stage.
More and more mothers to-be are becoming more informed about the options and modalities they have available to them that will give them and their babies the best chances ever for a safe comfortable and uncomplicated pregnancy and birth.
Even Hospitals and Obstetricians, Midwives and Doulas are recognizing the incredible benefits that massage therapy can offer.
What are the Benefits of massage during pregnancy?
What stage in my pregnancy should I begin prenatal massage?
Pre & Perinatal massage therapy is not intended to replace prenatal care by physicians but used as an adjunct to enhance the well being of mother and baby. Pre & Perinatal massage therapy is very beneficial to any woman classed as a low risk pregnancy. It is always appropriate to request clearance from your physician as to whether they think you would be a good candidate for massage during you pregnancy. I typically will only see pregnant clients that are past their first trimester of pregnancy.
Who should not get massage during pregnancy?
There are certain conditions in which the mother is classed as being high risk or having complications that could prevent you from receiving perinatal massage. Communication with your Obstetrician is always advised prior to receiving massage.
Why should I consider it through out my pregnancy?
Prenatal Massage has proven to be of great benefit during pregnancy as the woman's body undergoes significant changes: physiologically, structurally and psychologically.
Massage can be particularly effective for the expectant mother and her baby offering a wide variety of benefits to her ever changing body and developing baby including, stress and anxiety reduction. Massage also reduces maternal blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate. This help to create balance in the body between sympathetic and parasympathetic responses which can lead to fewer prenatal and labor complications.
As the baby continues to grow the mother will notice changes in gait and posture from the increasing weight, causing musculoskeletal strain and pain. With more weight, the pelvis starts to rotate anteriorly increasing lumbar curvature and causing discomfort in the lower back and strain on the muscles of the pelvic floor. In order to compensate for this, the mother will lean upper shoulders and back posterior which causes tightness in the head neck and shoulders. There is literally not one part of the body that is not affected by the changes a woman's body goes through during pregnancy. Massage is one of the best things that an expecting mother can do for herself and her baby.
Some information taken from Pre & Perinatal Massage Therapy by Carol Osborne-Sheets
Massage that is specifically designed bodywork that can be performed through out pregnancy, during labor and the birth of the baby and for the postpartum stage.
More and more mothers to-be are becoming more informed about the options and modalities they have available to them that will give them and their babies the best chances ever for a safe comfortable and uncomplicated pregnancy and birth.
Even Hospitals and Obstetricians, Midwives and Doulas are recognizing the incredible benefits that massage therapy can offer.
What are the Benefits of massage during pregnancy?
- Promotes relaxation, reducing stress and lethargy
- Relieves tension, fatigue and headaches
- Provides emotional support and physical nurturing
- Alleviates pain in lower back, neck and hip joints
- Reduces muscle tension, spasms and cramps
- Increases blood and lymphatic circulation
- Aids in the relief of digestive complaints: indigestion, constipation, gas and nausea
- Balances the body by encouraging a more balanced emotional state reducing fear and anxiety
- Balances Blood pressure, pulse and respiratory rate, providing regular blood flow to uterus, placenta and baby.
What stage in my pregnancy should I begin prenatal massage?
Pre & Perinatal massage therapy is not intended to replace prenatal care by physicians but used as an adjunct to enhance the well being of mother and baby. Pre & Perinatal massage therapy is very beneficial to any woman classed as a low risk pregnancy. It is always appropriate to request clearance from your physician as to whether they think you would be a good candidate for massage during you pregnancy. I typically will only see pregnant clients that are past their first trimester of pregnancy.
Who should not get massage during pregnancy?
There are certain conditions in which the mother is classed as being high risk or having complications that could prevent you from receiving perinatal massage. Communication with your Obstetrician is always advised prior to receiving massage.
- High Risk
- Under 20 over 35
- Complications in previous pregnancies
- Previous abortions or miscarriages
- Multiple Gestations
- Maternal diabetes
Why should I consider it through out my pregnancy?
Prenatal Massage has proven to be of great benefit during pregnancy as the woman's body undergoes significant changes: physiologically, structurally and psychologically.
Massage can be particularly effective for the expectant mother and her baby offering a wide variety of benefits to her ever changing body and developing baby including, stress and anxiety reduction. Massage also reduces maternal blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate. This help to create balance in the body between sympathetic and parasympathetic responses which can lead to fewer prenatal and labor complications.
As the baby continues to grow the mother will notice changes in gait and posture from the increasing weight, causing musculoskeletal strain and pain. With more weight, the pelvis starts to rotate anteriorly increasing lumbar curvature and causing discomfort in the lower back and strain on the muscles of the pelvic floor. In order to compensate for this, the mother will lean upper shoulders and back posterior which causes tightness in the head neck and shoulders. There is literally not one part of the body that is not affected by the changes a woman's body goes through during pregnancy. Massage is one of the best things that an expecting mother can do for herself and her baby.
Some information taken from Pre & Perinatal Massage Therapy by Carol Osborne-Sheets
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