Pregnancy and motherhood are transformative journeys filled with unique physical and emotional challenges. Massage therapy, particularly prenatal and postpartum massage, offers a wealth of benefits for both mother and child. This article explores the advantages of these specialized massage approaches.
Prenatal Massage: Nurturing Expectant Mothers
Prenatal massage is a specialized approach tailored to the needs of pregnant women, offering numerous benefits, from soothing back pain to boosting mental wellness. Pregnancy is an extraordinary time of transformation for expectant mothers, but it can come with unique physical and emotional challenges. Let’s explore how prenatal massage by a certified massage therapist can help moms-to-be feel more comfortable, and connected, and even support a baby’s development.
Physical Benefits of Prenatal Massage
During pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes tremendous changes. As her belly grows, the added weight shifts her center of gravity, often leading to back pain, hip discomfort, and strain on the joints. A certified massage therapist trained in prenatal massage can address these issues through gentle, targeted techniques.
Alleviates Back Pain
Back pain is a common complaint among pregnant women. The weight of the growing baby can place significant pressure on the lower back, leading to muscle tension and discomfort. Prenatal massage focuses on relieving this tension through gentle strokes that help to relax the muscles and ease the strain on the lower back. This approach may help reduce the pain without the need for medication, which can be a relief for many mothers-to-be.
Reduces Swelling and Improves Circulation
Swelling, particularly in the legs and feet, is another common issue during pregnancy. It is often caused by the increased blood flow and pressure from the growing uterus on the blood vessels in the legs. Through specialized massage techniques, therapists can gently stimulate circulation, reducing fluid buildup and helping to alleviate swelling. Improved circulation also means better blood flow to the placenta, which can benefit both mother and baby.
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Eases Joint Pain and Improves Flexibility
Hormonal changes during pregnancy relax ligaments, especially around the pelvis, to prepare the body for childbirth. However, this relaxation can sometimes lead to instability and joint pain, particularly in the hips and knees. Prenatal massage can help improve flexibility and ease joint pain, making movement and daily activities more comfortable.
Relieves Muscle Tension and Fatigue
Pregnant women often feel fatigued, especially in the later stages of pregnancy. Prenatal massage helps to relieve muscle tension that builds up from daily activities or lack of sleep, providing much-needed relaxation. This can also lead to better sleep, which is essential for a healthy pregnancy.
Emotional Benefits of Prenatal Massage
Pregnancy is an emotional journey, and the mental wellness of the mother plays a crucial role in the health of both mom and baby. The nurturing touch of a prenatal massage can have powerful mental health benefits.
Reduces Anxiety and Stress
Expecting a baby can bring feelings of stress and anxiety. Regular prenatal massage sessions can help lower levels of stress hormones like cortisol, replacing them with feel-good hormones like serotonin. This helps promote a calm state of mind, creating a more positive environment for both mother and baby.
Improves Sleep Quality
Many pregnant women struggle with sleep, whether due to physical discomfort or emotional concerns. Prenatal massage can reduce muscle tension and anxiety, both of which contribute to better, more restful sleep. This improved sleep quality can make a big difference in a mother’s energy levels and mood, positively impacting her overall pregnancy experience.
Read also: Summit Chiropractic: Holistic wellness solutions.
Fosters Bonding with the Baby
Prenatal massage can also provide a quiet, reflective time for the mother to focus on her baby. This bonding time fosters a sense of closeness and can strengthen the emotional connection between mother and child. Many mothers find that this quiet time of relaxation allows them to connect deeply with their growing baby.
Benefits for Baby: Supporting Healthy Development
It’s not just the mother who benefits from prenatal massage-her baby can benefit, too. Studies suggest that lowering maternal stress can positively impact fetal development. When a mother is relaxed and less stressed, her body releases fewer stress hormones, which can create a more favorable environment for the baby’s development.
Reduces Stress Hormones
Stress hormones, such as cortisol, can cross the placenta, potentially affecting fetal development. By reducing stress levels, prenatal massage may contribute to a healthier environment for the baby’s growth and development.
Enhances Oxygen and Nutrient Flow
Improved blood circulation from prenatal massage means better oxygen and nutrient flow to the placenta. This can support the baby’s development and health. Every bit of extra oxygen and nourishment supports the baby’s growth, making prenatal massage a nurturing choice for both mom and baby.
Promotes Relaxation for the Baby
A calm mother often means a calm baby. Many mothers notice that during or after a massage, the baby tends to be less active as if relaxing in sync with the mother. This can be a beautiful bonding moment and adds another layer of emotional connection.
Read also: Benefits of Foot Massage in Pleasanton
Choosing a Certified Massage Therapist for Prenatal Massage
When considering prenatal massage, it’s essential to seek out a certified massage therapist who specializes in prenatal care. Certified therapists are trained in the specific techniques that are safe and effective for pregnant women. They know the proper positioning and pressure to avoid any strain on the body or pressure on sensitive areas that could cause discomfort or harm.
A certified therapist will also be familiar with the best positions for a pregnant client, usually side-lying, to provide comfort and support throughout the massage. By choosing a professional who understands prenatal massage, you can be confident in receiving a safe and beneficial experience tailored to your needs.
Postpartum Massage: Healing and Rejuvenation for New Mothers
Pregnancy and childbirth are beautiful, life-changing experiences. But they can also be physically and emotionally challenging. In addition to the physical benefits, postpartum massage can provide emotional benefits. A postpartum massage at St. Louis Prenatal Massage is tailored to your individual needs.
Physical Benefits of Postpartum Massage
Becoming a mother is a wonderful thing, but it is also physically demanding. A massage might be just what you need to help ease the physical discomforts of being pregnant, or to relieve postpartum soreness and stress.
For postpartum (new mommy) massages, the massage therapist can again work on places like the feet, as well as more deeply massage tired legs. As long as the doctor has given permission, a new mom can safely get a postpartum message as soon as a week after vaginal delivery, and whenever it is deemed safe after a c-section.
Emotional Benefits of Postpartum Massage
Sleep becomes even more scarce after the baby comes because of night feedings, constant day feedings, and oftentimes, worry and anxiety about the baby. A postpartum (new mommy) massage not only helps relieve an aching body but as a prenatal massage, it offers the new mom a well-deserved chance to let go and relax.
It’s important for a new mom to enjoy a respite from the demands of her newborn when she can. A new mommy massage might just help clear a tired mom’s head and rejuvenate her spirit.
Mommy & Me Massage: Bonding Through Touch
Designed for moms and dads to relax with their kids to enjoy side by side because the health benefits of massage aren't just for grown ups! Our Mommy & Me (or Daddy & Me) sessions are designed to be 45 minutes or relaxation and an introduction to spa services and safe, respectful and effective massage. The session begins with a time to sit and relax together with an aromatherapy foot soak & scrub. Then move to the massage table to receive a calming scalp massage, and relaxing hand and foot massage.
These sessions are designed for you to be able to connect and relax while remaining dressed.
What to Expect During a Prenatal or Postpartum Massage Session
When a mom comes in for a prenatal or a postpartum massage, she can expect to spend the next 60 or 90 glorious minutes laying on her side on a comfortable massage bed. You will be covered the entire time and can be completely undressed or opt to keep your underwear on. Pregnant moms will be side-lying and have a wedge and huggable pillow to help support her body. Postpartum moms will also be side lying even though they no longer have their baby bump because a face-down position could possibly damage breastfeeding glands.
Focus Areas During Massage
For prenatal massages, the therapist will focus on areas of the body that typically manifests stress while avoiding sensitive ones that should not be manipulated during pregnancy.
Your shoulders may be tense and your neck stiff, your back muscles may ache from carrying the baby bump, and your joints may hurt from the extra weight. You might be experiencing uncomfortable muscle cramps and swelling. A prenatal massage therapist can address these issues through massage, helping to improve blood and lymph circulation.
An experienced prenatal massage therapist will avoid parts like your feet, which have sensitive reflexology points. She will also avoid massaging your legs too vigorously. Pregnant women experience circulatory changes that can affect the flow of blood in the legs and it’s important not to use strong pressure on them during this time.
Contrary to what some people may think, there is no belly rubbing during a prenatal massage! Unless a mom specifically requests it, the most belly touching a massage therapist may be to help lift the belly up so that moms have the chance to take a good, deep breath.
Additional Benefits for Infants: Bodywork for Babies
When we see infants for Bodywork, we are assessing if the fascia, muscles, the cranium and the rest of their body is in alignment. The most amount of pressure that we put on babies is what you would put on an avocado to see if it is ripe. The main benefits we see in infants is:
- Improved latch breastfeeding ability
- Wider jaw opening
- Ability to turn head both directions
- Decreased flattening of baby’s head
- Less crying in the car seat
- Overall calmer & less tense baby
Our massage therapist, Rachel, has been specializing in women & babies for the last 20 years & has completed over 100 hours in Craniosacral Therapy since 2018.
Choosing a Massage Center: The Motherhood Center Example
The Motherhood Center has always implemented high standards of hygiene and cleanliness. Their procedures have included sanitizing all surfaces and doorknobs, and any other areas that our clients may come in contact with. They change linens after each client and wash our linens daily. Their massage therapists also wear masks to protect our clients.
It should be noted that the nature of prenatal and postpartum massages do not require much face-to-face interaction between the massage therapist and the client. Massage therapists are typically working from behind a mother’s back, which decreases face-to-face time.
It’s important to find an experienced prenatal massage therapist or experienced postpartum massage therapist who is familiar with prenatal and postpartum massages. These are specialty massages that require knowledge of a mother’s body during these seasons. Since we specialize in prenatal and postpartum services, our massage therapists have the knowledge and experience required to help our clients enjoy a safe and effective massage.
A prenatal or postpartum massage at the Motherhood Center is either a glorious full 60 minutes long or an even more glorious full 90 minutes long, depending on your preference. At the Motherhood Center, they make sure our clients get the full allotted time that they have paid for and do not include intake and processing as part of those precious minutes on that massage bed!