When I tell people in general that I am a massage therapist, the reaction is fairly universal—that person will move in a little closer, point to a spot on their body, and hope I get the hint that they want to be rubbed. When I say that I specialize in pregnancy issues, I sometimes get blank stares, or the statement “Where were you when I was pregnant?” So, for all the mothers-to-be, here’s the scoop on massage during the childbearing year.
The benefits are multitudinous!!
It’s good for you:
It’s good for your baby:
Of course, first and foremost…it feels GREAT!!! (And, unlike most things that are this pleasurable, it’s moral, it’s not fattening, and it’s perfectly legal!)
First off, you are pregnant. Your body is different. A pregnant woman’s tissues carry about 40% more fluid than her non-pregnant tissues. Your body is changing, almost on a daily basis. Your center of gravity is different, and your posture has changed. Your weight is being re-distributed, and your aren’t used to carrying it in the new places. Pregnancy massage addresses these changes, and each massage is different, based on what you need at any given point. Your breasts are growing, so you tend to have shoulder and upper back pain. As your belly grows with the baby, you tend to get low back or sciatic pain. Your fluids are increased, and you may retain these fluids in the form of swelling.
Some areas will get more and different attention during pregnancy, and some areas will be avoided altogether. Acupressure/reflex points that control the uterus and cervix will be very lightly massaged, if at all.
Your positioning will be different; rather than the standard front/back massage, you may be positioned on the table on your side, or have a specialized body cushion system that allows you to lie face down, on your ’stomach’. With the cushions, the baby is gently hammocked, and the pressure on your low back is eliminated. (Don’t lie on a table with a hole cut out for the baby – while they seem like a good idea, they really increase the stress on your back!) I always know when the positioning on the cushions is correct – when a mother gets onto the body cushion that is positioned just for her, I always hear a loud sigh…. “AAAAHHHH” coming from the massage room. These cushions adjust with several smaller pieces held together with Velcro, and can be adjusted until they feel absolutely right (remember the sigh?)
The environment will be a little different as well; the aromatherapy you enjoyed before you were pregnant may well make you nauseous now, so there won’t be any scented candles or oils used. Since your internal thermostat may be all over the place, you can choose to have blankets in July or the fan running in January.
Anytime during the childbearing year, from the time you decide to conceive a baby, right up to and including in the labor room. Massage before pregnancy can help to relax you, make you more receptive to conception, and massage after the baby is born can help with the physical and emotional adjustments to motherhood. And, of course, anytime in between is just perfect, too!
It is always wise to check with your doctor or midwife before you get a massage, although most care providers recommend massage all though pregnancy. Massage is not generally associated with miscarriage, but if you are considered to have a high-risk pregnancy, you definitely need to discuss getting a massage with your care provider. Some therapists will require written permission before they will give you a massage.
Not necessarily. If you go to a therapist, and they tell you that there’s no difference between a pregnancy massage and any other massage, RUN, do not walk away. They should have training beyond their basic massage training. There are several different classes available that require anywhere from several hours to several days training. Ask the therapist about their training, and their experience.
While not every therapist can provide pregnancy massage, every person can learn to provide a loving touch to the expectant mother. Ask your therapist if your partner or labor companion can accompany you to a regular prenatal massage appointment. Most pregnancy massage therapists are quite willing to teach them some techniques to use to reduce swelling, relieve pain, and just make you feel better.
Some Massage Therapists that provide pregnancy massage will travel to the birthing place to provide massage that can help to relieve pain and to enhance labor progress. Many Doulas are specially trained in pregnancy massage techniques that provide comfort during labor.
There are many adjustments to motherhood that massage can assist with:
“If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy” Remember during the airplane safety lecture, how they tell you to put on your own oxygen first, then assist those around you? Motherhood is the same thing…you can’t be a good Mother or even Mother-to-be, if you don’t take care of yourself. Massage is a great way to take care of yourself, so that you can take care of your baby and the people around you.