Pregnancy can be a joyous time for a mother-to-be. However, the changes in a woman’s body and natural fears and anxiety can also be very stressful, both physically and emotionally.
Massage has a profound ability to decrease stress as well as prevent or minimize many of the common symptoms and discomforts of pregnancy. Regular massage therapy sessions can mean the difference between a comfortable, relax pregnancy and one defined by miserable aches and pains. Massage is especially useful because pregnant women are often unable to take many medications that are normally used to manage common problems.
Massage can help manage these aches and pains and is completely safe for both the mother and fetus.
According to a recent study publish in the Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology, the benefits extend beyond just making mom feel good. Researchers found that for women who receive regular massage, there were fewer complications both during pregnancy and afterwards, including fewer premature births.
How can massage help?
Massage can have a beneficial impact on a whole range of problems associate with pregnancy, not just muscle aches.
Morning sickness is the nausea and vomiting that many women experience early in the pregnancy. Although it is call morning sickness, it can occur any time during the day or night. As with many other problems, hormones are largely to blame. However, stress also appears to play a very significant role. By using regular massage to relax, the incidence of nausea and vomiting can actually be reduced.
Hormones can also cause constipation as they cause the muscles of the digestive tract to relax. Gentle massage to the abdomen can help relieve constipation by activating a reflex that stimulates movement in the intestines. Massage therapists can also use rocking and passive range of motion techniques to get things moving. Deeper abdominal massage that is often used to relieve constipation in non-pregnant clients is never use, so there is no risk to the fetus.
Headaches are another common problem in pregnancy. A non-drug approach is by far the best way to treat them. Massage has been proven to be extremely useful in dealing with headaches and should be considere the preferr treatment choice. Research shows that headaches become shorter and less frequent with regular massage
In the second trimester more pronounce physical changes take place. As the abdomen and breasts grow larger, a woman’s posture starts to change. Typically most women develop an increase curve in their low back or sway back to compensate for the extra weight at the front of their bodies. It’s no surprise that about half of all pregnant women develop back pain.
Massage can help through this period by minimizing muscle imbalances, relaxing tense muscles and improving their blood flow. A massage therapist can help minimize episodes of back pain by developing a simple home exercise program to stretch and strengthen various muscles
Another distressing problem that massage can assist is swelling in the ankles and hands. It’s common. About 75% of all pregnant women will experience ankle swelling during pregnancy. The increase fluid in the hands can cause carpal tunnel syndrome, a painful wrist condition. Massage has proven to be extremely effective in relieving this type of swelling as the broad sweeping massage movements help push the fluid out of the limbs.
Massage therapists are flexible in their approach and can do massage to the back, legs and gluteals even when it is no longer possible to lie face down. By about month four or five in the pregnancy, your therapist will likely have you lie on your side for the massage (as shown in the illustration).
Lying on the back is usually fine until late in the third trimester. Throughout your pregnancy your massage therapist will always ensure that you are safe and comfortable.
During and after labor
Massage is invaluable through a woman’s pregnancy. It can be equally beneficial both through childbirth and afterwards.
Labor is tough on a woman’s body. It’s painful, exhausting and stressful. Massage can be a wonderful way of helping the mother through the process.
Massage helps the muscles relax between contractions, reduces pain and anxiety, increases self-assurance and also demonstrates loving encouragement and support. Your massage therapist may be willing to be present for support throughout labor. At the very least, they can teach the woman’s partner or support team a variety of simple, effective techniques that can be use to give the mother some relief and support.
After the birth, the focus falls on the newborn. Unfortunately, in all the excitement, the new mother’s needs are often forgotten. However, this is a time when she could probably use massage the most. The massage can help greatly with her recovery process. For a number of weeks immediately after a vaginal birth, regular abdominal massage will help the uterus contract and shrink back to a normal size. It will relieve muscle aches and pains as well as help the woman deal with her fatigue.
Mild depression is common after birth. About 60% of new mothers experience what is refer to as “postpartum blues”. Massage can have a positive impact on a woman’s emotional state and is a great way to lift her spirits.
So if you are expecting a child or have recently become a new mom, make sure to get some regular massage. Your body will thank you. If you know someone who is pregnant, think of giving her a gift certificate for massage. It will be needed and appreciate.
Although everyone’s attention is on the mother and baby, it’s important to remember that the new father could use massage too. New roles and responsibilities can produce a fair amount of stress and anxiety. Without a doubt the father will appreciate the opportunity to unwind and relax.
