Massage and the Childbearing Year
Pregnancy, a time of great anticipation and wonder, is also a time of stress and anxiety. Your body and mind experience the hormonal effects necessary to growing a new life within. In addition, weight gain, postural adjustments and alterations in energy levels can leave you welcoming some nurturing mother care.
Have you considered the benefits of the oldest healing art available to pregnant moms: massage? Yes, the therapeutic effects of a massage provided to you by a trained prenatal massage therapist can quickly reduce the effects of pregnancy stress safely and comfortably.
During the first trimester of your pregnancy, carefully applied massage therapy may help reduce the nausea and fatigue frequently experienced during these first three months. Adding a small amount of relaxing aromatherapy such as lavender can help produce the relaxation response in a matter of minutes. Gentle energy work, such as Therapeutic Touch or Reike, can calm anxiety and provide an energy boost.
The second trimester, baby movements are welcomed. Accompanying bodily aches perhaps related to a growing uterus and hormonal effects can be addressed with Swedish massage and light Reflexology to the feet and hands.
The third trimester is the time of great expectations, and rapid growth. Perhaps your muscles and joints may benefit from massage which promotes circulation, decreases swelling, and provides support to the tender low back and hip areas. Good sleep may be hard to come by and a soothing massage in the evening may allow you to relax into sleep or encourage a welcome nap.
As your birthing time approaches, you may find the ability to relax during your massage, the awareness of tension in your body, and learning to breathe more deeply and evenly may result in an increase in confidence and control for labor. Becoming more aware of what your body needs during your massage will have positive effects throughout your childbearing year.
Once your baby is born, you may quickly notice how your loving touch can soothe and calm her. Learning the gentle art of baby massage can benefit you both, and your partner too. Promoting relaxation, calming the mind, soothing tense muscles and bonding in loving touch may be just what you need to begin your new life together in peace and harmony.
Oh yes, let’s not forget one of the nicest rewards to yourself after giving birth. A post partum massage, given 2-6 weeks after delivery is one of the most important and universally accepted recovery modalities immediately after birth in many tribal countries. A full body massage after birth offers relief from the aches and pains of muscle soreness, wards off new parent fatigue, promotes rapid healing, supports hormonal balance and allows the body to readjust to the pre-pregnant condition more comfortably. The therapist may combine a variety of techniques such as aromatherapy, energy work, reflexology, warm stone therapy and other supports to assist you in relaxing your mind and restoring your body.
If you are thinking about having a therapeutic massage, here are some suggestions you may want to consider when evaluating your options for practitioners. There are several qualified medical massage therapists in the greater Cleveland area. It is important to make sure the therapist is trained in prenatal massage. Also, you should be able to inquire about the services offered that meet your particular pregnancy and childbirth situation prior to scheduling a massage session. May this be the gentlest year of your life.
