by Rosa Ghidella
Many of us know how wonderful it feels to have a soothing and relaxing massage to ease muscular aches and pains. During pregnancy, when a woman experiences so many changes to her body, a prenatal or pregnancy massage can offer significant benefits to herself and her unborn child.
What is a pregnancy massage all about?
Pregnancy is a major life experience. A pregnancy or prenatal massage is a therapeutic massage which focuses on the specific needs of a pregnant woman as she goes through the array of changes experienced at this time.
During pregnancy, a woman’s body is continually adapting to the new life growing within. It is important for a woman to focus on her wellbeing, strength and vitality at this time as pregnancy can add additional stressors on the physical and emotional wellbeing of the mother.
Massages are generally conducted once a woman has passed her 1st trimester (i.e. the first 12 weeks of pregnancy), although a very gentle massage across the neck and shoulders can be offered if there have been no complications or difficulties during the current or past pregnancies.
A pregnancy massage is best conducted with the woman lying on her side, propped by pillows, or sitting up. It is difficult for a pregnant woman to lie face down as this can put a strain on the lower back, pelvis and uterus. After the first 22 weeks of pregnancy, lying flat on one’s back can place significant pressure on deep blood vessels, and can cut off circulation.
A qualified massage therapist trained in pregnancy or prenatal massage will be able to assess the best possible position.
Benefits of a pregnancy massage
There are numerous benefits of massage generally. For a pregnant woman, the benefits are experienced not only for herself, but also for her unborn child.
Massage is a wonderful stress reliever and can help promote relaxation and improved sleep patterns. The nurturing touch of an experienced massage therapist will help to relax and address fatigue and exhaustion.
Massage offers relief to muscular tension and aches and pains. Back ache in pregnancy can occur as a result of ligaments and joints being softened by hormonal changes within the body. Sciatica is also common as the baby can exert pressure on the sciatic nerve, causing numbness or weakness in the gluteals, buttocks and legs.
Many women also experience pressure and swelling in their joints, related to normal weight gain. Oedema (fluid retention), leg cramps and carpal tunnel are also common, particularly in the third trimester, as swelling leads to pressing down on nerves and restricting blood supply. Gentle massage can ease swelling and reduce cramping that may occur.
Headaches and migraine is experienced by a significant number of pregnant women due to hormonal changes and the dilation of blood vessels in the brain. Poor posture during pregnancy can also lead to headaches and tension in the neck and shoulder area.
Massage helps to increase circulation of lymph and blood supply and effectively relieves swelling, improves drainage of toxic wastes and minimises the risk of varicose veins developing.
Massage to the abdomen can be a very moving experience as often the baby will respond to this touch. An abdominal massage can also help minimize stretch marks and address dry skin.
Is it safe?
Massage during pregnancy is usually safe for most mothers. A qualified massage therapist would need to take a detailed case history. If there are, or have been, any complications in the current or any previous pregnancies, it is important that the massage therapist be informed about these. Sometimes, approval from a primary health care professional or a medical practitioner is required.
Some of the conditions or situations where a pregnancy massage is not advisable without first consulting a doctor include where there is heavy discharge, diabetes, contagious illnesses, abdominal pain, high blood pressure, or any malignant condition.
How often?
A good massage can take anywhere between 15 minutes and one hour.
A regular massage during one’s pregnancy is an excellent way to ease ongoing discomfort.
Some women choose monthly massages in the 2nd trimester and then increase these to weekly or fortnightly in the 3rd trimester.
Post Partum Care
Once the baby is born, it is essential that a woman continue to care for her health, as a new baby will place many demands on her energy. Ongoing massage after the birth can assist in promoting relaxation at a time when normal sleep patterns are disrupted.
New mothers can benefit from the physical and emotional benefits of a massage, at a time when they give so much to their newborn baby. Massage will also work to assist the body in healing itself and recovering from the pressure of the pregnancy and childbirth.
