Prenatal (pregnancy) Massage

 Massage during pregnancy offers undeniable physical benefits throughout every prenatal stage.  Research has shown that women who receive massage while pregnant may have easier deliveries, a reduced chance of post-partum depression, and regain their bodies more quickly. In most cases, massage is perfectly safe and can help the mother-to-be relieve general body aches, pains, and tension that her body is going through while also feeling pampered at the same time.


Benefits:

 Each trimester bring its own issues, which can be helped with massage, but throughout the whole pregnancy, benefits include:

• Stimulating blood flow (may prevent anemia)
• Increase muscle tone and flexibility (alleviating muscle cramps and spasms)
• Stimulates lymphatic system (may help prevent/reduce edema)
• Relieve headaches
• Help alleviate morning sickness
• Reduce fatigue
• Alleviate backaches and leg cramps
•  Enhance sleep
• Alleviate ligament pain
• Relieving aches and pains
• Alleviate stress on weight-bearing joints
• Learn relaxation skills
• Release physical and emotional tension

Positioning During the Massage

While receiving a pregnancy massage, you are positioned on your side using specially designed bolsters and pillows to allow the therapist access to your back. Likewise, more specially designed pillows are used to position you in a semi-reclined position so you can receive work on your belly and anything else that you would normally have massaged if lying flat. No matter the position, you will always remain properly draped except for the area being massaged.

When Massage Should Be Avoided During Pregnancy

Most normal low-risk pregnancies can receive massage with no problem. However if the pregnancy is high-risk or conditions such as pre-term labor, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, DVT, or severe edema are present, massage may not be advised. Women with any of these conditions need a doctor's authorization before proceeding with a massage, and even if none of the conditions exist, it is still a good idea to double-check with your doctor first.