What is Pregnancy Massage?
Pregnancy massage is therapeutic bodywork which focuses on the special needs of mother-to –be
as her body goes through the dramatic changes of the childbirth experience.
Before the Birth
It is time to relax and take care of yourself. Massage teaches you the sensory awareness of
how to relax the muscles in the legs, pelvis, back and buttocks so there is less unnecessary
resistance before and during delivery. When you feel better physically and mentally your
stress level is reduced. When you allow yourself to be nurtured, you learn new ways to nurture
your baby.
Postpartum
Giving birth is often a long and arduous process. The constant tensing of muscles leaves a
mother exhausted and sore. As well the demands of a little one can add to the stress.
Certain massage techniques can reduce your discomfort, relax you and provide a revitalizing
respite.
Benefits of Massage Therapy
Touch is vital to the mother’s psychological and physiological well-being as she adapts to her
new body image. Massage gives special attention to the mother-to-be which in turn nutures the
new life that grows within her. Bodywork during pregnancy helps to:
Alleviate neck and back pain caused by muscles imbalance and weakness
Assist in maintaining proper posture
Reduce swelling
Relieves stress, both physical and emotional
The Childbearing Year
Having a child can be one of a woman’s most glorious experiences. Pregnancy is also a time of
major changes both physically and emotionally. Prenatal massage therapy can ease many of the
discomforts of pregnancy. During pregnancy, your muscles, ligaments and tendons loosen and
soften. This causes extra stress on the weight bearing joints, such as hips, pelvis and ankles.
Prenatal massage is a particularly appropriate form of treatment during this time.
Massage can be received in all stages of pregnancy: prenatal, labor, delivery, post Cesarean
recovery and postpartum. Massge during pregnancy is quite safe; however, we will want to know
if you are having any problems or complications with your pregnancy. If you are, then approval
from your primary health care provider will be required before any bodywork is done.
Infant Massage
Massaging a baby is an art. The purpose is to introduce you to the nurturing expression of
touch through massage.
Being touched and caressed, being massaged, Is food for the infant. Food is necessary as
minerals, vitamins and proteins. Deprived of this food, the name of which is LOVE, babies
would rather die. And they often do.
Benefits of Massage
Massaging your baby is done with your heart and not just your hands. Your gentle touch during
massage, and at the same times, communicates a message of love to your baby. Bonding is
essential for parents and baby. Your baby needs your loving touch to grow emotionally and
physically strong. Massage helps your baby to relax and let go tension. Many parents happily
report that after a massage, their babies sleep better, have an easier time with feeding, and
experience fewer stomach upsets.
Your baby can seem so tiny and fragile. Studies
with premature babies show that massage therapy seems to improve digestion
and increase baby’s weight gain. Massaging your baby helps you get in
touch with your baby. It builds your confidence in being able to
understand your baby’s unique body language. This confidence can help you
deal with other tasks of parenting, both now and as your baby grows.
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