A well-timed pregnancy massage can make the nine-month journey to motherhood a little more comfortable – helping you feel supported and nurtured, while at the same time soothing the aches and pains associated with growing a tiny life.
What is pregnancy massage?
A pregnancy massage refers to a massage undertaken during pregnancy or after birth, and may also be referred to as a prenatal or postnatal massage. A pregnancy massage is not the same as simply having a massage in pregnancy.
A pregnancy massage will also cater to the unique needs of a person who is pregnant. Special care is taken to position the woman’s body using bolstering (or propping) to accommodate the physical changes that occur during pregnancy (such as the growing belly). This can include certain body positions, depending on how far along the pregnancy is. For example, side-lying positions are normally used during the second and third trimesters. Lying on the left side is safest for pregnant women, allowing optimal cardiac function and fetal oxygenation.
benefits of prenatal massage include:
- Providing an overall sense of well being
- Improving sleep
- Increasing oxygenation of muscles and tissues
- Hormone regulation (which is linked with lower stress levels)
- Pain relief
- Reduction of swelling (edema)
- Relieving anxiety and stress
Pregnancy-Specific Contraindications
There are also several conditions that are specific to pregnancy that could make it unsafe for a person to have a prenatal massage.
You should not get a pregnancy massage if you have:
- A high risk pregnancy: Certain risk factors make a pregnancy considered high-risk, such bleeding, pre-term contractions, and preeclampsia.
- Pre-eclampsia: A serious complication of pregnancy is a condition called preeclampsia. It usually develops around 20 weeks and involves a dangerous rise in blood pressure and protein in the urine which could cause a stroke or even death.
- Deep vien thrombosis: If a person has. a DVT, they may have swelling in the leg where there is a blood clot (thrombus). If the DVT is treated and resolves, a person might be able to have a prenatal massage.
- Placenta Previa: Conditions that involve the placenta can lead to bleeding.
- Gestational Diabetes: High blood sugar levels during pregnancy are not strictly a contraindication to prenatal massage; however, a person will need to get the approval of their doctor and be prepared to check their sugars before taking part.