Massage and Pregnancy

Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time of changes, some eagerly embraced, and others less welcome. Your entire body adapts to the new life growing within you. You need and deserve support, especially since two people now depend on your health and vitality.

Massage is a wonderful way to relax, increase your energy, and relieve discomfort during your pregnancy. The caring touch of massage can help you experience your changing body in a positive, accepting way. Massage can also be something special for you at a time when so much of your attention is on the baby to come.

Coping with stress and fatigue

Change, even welcome change, is stressful. The tension caused by stress, along with the physical changes of pregnancy, can sap your energy for coping day-to-day. A soothing massage can relieve physical and emotional tension, help you sleep better, and boost your energy.

Massage loosens tight muscles and calms the nervous system. It also increases circulation, bringing energy-producing nutrients to your cells and carrying away metabolic waste products that can make you feel listless. In a massage, you also become more aware of your body, which helps you recognize tension as it builds during the day and consciously release it.

Easing aches and pains

Massage can help with many of the aches and pains you experience as your body changes during pregnancy. Massage can:

	Relieve pain in your muscles and joints that must support extra weight.
	Increase flexibility, making it easier for your body to adjust to additional weight.
	Relieve abdominal soreness caused by an active baby's kicks.
	Ease constipation, gas and heartburn as general relaxation stimulates intestinal movement.
	Reduce excess fluid retention by gently pushing fluid into circulation where it can be eliminated.
	Slow the progress of varicose veins as enhanced circulation lowers pressure on bulging veins.
	Relieve headaches caused by tension, constipation, or buildup of metabolic waste products.

Is massage always appropriate?

Massage is healthful and enjoyable during a normal pregnancy. However, because massage is not appropriate for some conditions, your massage therapist will want to know about your general health and your pregnancy. Give as much information as you can and always tell your massage therapist about any changes, even if you are not sure they are important. Remember, any condition you have now affects two people, one of whom is very small.

Your comfort during a massage

You will be comfortably supported with pillows or cushions during your massage, and may even find yourself lying face-down for the first time in a while. In later pregnancy you can get a complete massage comfortably supported in a side-lying position. At Backs By Popular Demandsm, you will find a table specially made for the use of pregnant women. This table has a cut out to position the stomach for the greatest comfort.

You will be draped with a sheet everywhere except the part of your body being massaged. Ask for a lighter drape or less heat in the room if you are too hot. If your sense of smell is sensitive, ask for unscented lotion or oil. It is fine to interrupt your massage when you need to use the restroom.

Tell your massage therapist if anything feels uncomfortable or if there are areas that you would rather not have massaged. If you are not sure about something, be conservative and see how you feel after each massage.

Preparing for labor

Massage can help you prepare for the birthing process in several ways. Regular massage to the lower back, abdomen, and inner thighs can release chronic tension in these areas for minimal resistance during delivery. Massage also increases your awareness of tension in your body and teaches you how to consciously release it, increasing your confidence and control during labor.

Postpartum massage

Massage can help you handle the physical demands of caring for a newborn by reducing tension and increasing energy. Massage can speed healing of hemorrhoids or an episiotomy by increasing circulation. If you are nursing, a relaxing massage can help since tension interferes with milk letdown. Psychologically, massage can nurture and comfort you whether or not you are experiencing postpartum "blues."

Is massage for you?

Massage cannot completely relieve the discomforts of pregnancy. After your massage, the extra weight is still there, the hormonal changes are still happening, and the stresses of your life are right where you left them.

However, regular massage during your pregnancy and postpartum weeks can relieve your physical symptoms and help you cope with stress. Just taking time out for a massage can improve your outlook on life, making everything seem easier during this time of so many changes. Backs By Popular Demandsm charges $50 for an hour or $35 for a half hour of prenatal massage.

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