Massage in pregnancy
Pregnancy is a wonderful experience, but it can also be an exhausting time for your body, which undergoes many changes, both physical and mental.
You’re bound to have mood swings and will go through a range of emotional highs and lows. However excited you are, your life is about to change dramatically and you may sometimes find yourself feeling anxious about what’s in store. These feelings are normal, so don’t panic. Your hormones are running wild, you’re suffering from fatigue and are probably filled with questions about pregnancy and parenthood.
With all this in mind, you’ll really benefit from finding ways of switching off occasionally and allowing yourself the chance to relax and unwind. One great way of achieving this is through pregnancy massage.
What is pregnancy massage?
As the name implies, pregnancy massage is specifically designed for women who are expecting a baby. It’s much more gentle than ordinary massage and is tailored to suit the needs of the mom-to-be.
Pregnancy massage has many cited benefits. First and foremost, it can help you relax. This is because it stimulates your body to release endorphins, your body’s natural feel-good hormones, which can help relieve pain. It can also ease swollen joints by increasing and improving circulation and soothing tense areas. It can help you to get a
good night’s sleep, which is often difficult during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester (weeks 29-40).
Your massage should be performed by a licensed massage therapist who is certified in pregnancy massage, meaning they’ve taken special training and know what’s safe practice for mom and baby and which natural essential oils are safe to use (some are contraindicated because they’re thought to cause contractions). Your partner can also provide massage in pregnancy but it needs to be very gentle and they should stop immediately if you feel any pain or discomfort.
Before having any pregnancy massage you should check with your OB-GYN or midwife, because if you’re experiencing certain symptoms like severe
morning sickness or
high blood pressure then you might be advised not to have one.
Can massage help in labor?
Massage is a personal and intimate experience and while some people sing its praises, others aren’t so keen. Even if you love massage this doesn’t necessarily mean that you will enjoy it while you’re in labor. Indeed, you may find yourself batting your partner’s hands away in fury if he attempts to massage you at this time!
Having said that, massage in labor for many women plays a very important part in helping them through the process. The power of touch and skin-to-skin contact, especially from a loved one, has untold benefits. It not only helps to relax the muscles and provide warmth and comfort but it is a means of non-verbal communication, helping the laboring woman know that she’s not alone and she is well supported.
Feeling safe and secure allows the labor hormones to get on with the job in hand and natural endorphins to be released to help deal with the pain.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
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Last Modified: 12/10/2008
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