Prenatal Massage – A Wonderful Relief for Expectant Mothers
Pregnancy is an exciting time in a woman’s life. However, it is also a very challenging time and stressful time, both mentally and physically. The body is adapting to the life growing inside with all the hormonal and physical changes. As the pregnancy progresses, the body starts to ache from growing baby inside. We start to get backaches, headaches, leg cramps, stiff necks, swollen feet, etc. just to name only a few of the myriad of problems associated with pregnancy. All these physical problems also make it harder to sleep at night. The good news is a prenatal massage can help ease the discomforts that come with being pregnant.
Benefits of Prenatal Massage
A prenatal massage has many benefits for the mother-to-be. The gentle massage can help ease the soreness and stiffness of tight muscles. Long gliding strokes help the circulation of the blood and lymph flow to deliver nutrients throughout the body, reducing the cramping of the muscles, which can be terribly painful. It also reduces the stress on the weight-bearing joints such as the ankles, back, and pelvis. A pregnancy massage is relaxing and soothing, which helps ease an expectant mother’s stress and anxiety, calming her nervous system.
When she is more relaxed mentally and physically, she will be able to sleep better at night. Sleeping is important to the health of both mother and baby. Also, a massage will improve the elasticity of the skin, thereby reducing the appearance of stretch marks that are so common with pregnancy. Not only will you feel better, but you’ll look better too!
Prenatal Massage – What to Look Out For
If you are thinking of getting a pregnancy massage, you should always consult your doctor first. If you are a high risk pregnancy, have blood clotting disorders, etc. it may not be safe for you to get a massage. Also, it is usually not recommended to get a massage in the first trimester of your pregnancy.
If your doctor gives you the green light to get a pregnancy massage, you will then need to find a massage therapist that specializes in prenatal massage. A pregnant woman’s body is different from a normal person and requires that a therapist has knowledge of pregnancy. A massage therapist trained in prenatal massage knows what is safe and what isn’t for the mother and the unborn child, including positioning, what parts of the body are safe to massage and what parts are not.
Some therapists use “Prego Pillow” or tables with holes for the belly so you can lie facing down. However, these cause stress to your lower back, which makes going to get a massage counterproductive, as you are getting a massage to relieve stress to your lower back. Side-lying or semi-reclined positions using ergonomic pillows are more comfortable and safer for a pregnant woman.
A prenatal massage is a wonderful stress reliever and a treat for expectant mothers. If you are feeling achy, sore and uncomfortable, a pregnancy massage may just be what you need to help make you feel better and rest easier at night.
