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The therapeutic benefits of massage have been known since 3000 B.C. or earlier. However, the
benefits of massage for prenatal massage is becoming an increasingly popular practice.
When you are pregnant, your skeletal structure supports an increasing amount of weight, your
organs shift to accommodate the baby, and you go through significant emotional and psychological changes. Massage help
alleviate some of the discomfort, and the relaxation can help ease your emotional rollercoaster.
Studies have shown that prenatal massage can:
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Relieve depression, anxiety, and nervousness caused by hormonal changes
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Increase blood and lymph circulation, which helps to reduce swelling and improves the oxygen
supply to the baby
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Relieve muscle discomfort such as cramping, tightening, stiffness, and knots
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Reduce pain and encourage relaxation, which can facilitate labor
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Improve muscle and skin tone
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Provide emotional support through nurturing touch
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Promote relaxation and relieve insomnia
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Relieve stress on weight-bearing joints such as lower back, pelvis, and ankles
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Alleviate neck, shoulder, and back pain caused by muscle imbalance
Studies at the University of Miami, School of Medicine, show that just 20 minutes of massage
twice a week for five weeks reduces stress hormones in the body, improves mood and sleep patterns, and reduces anxiety and
back pain. Studies also show that women who received regular massages during pregnancy had lower rates of premature birth,
fewer obstetrical problems, and their babies had a lower rate of postnatal complications.
Most experts recommend you avoid prenatal massage during your first trimester when your body
is still getting used to the pregnancy, and some believe there may be a connection between first trimester prenatal massage
and miscarriage. However, prenatal massage is perfectly safe during your second and third trimesters, and you’ll appreciate
the benefits more the further along you are. You should always check with your doctor before beginning any new treatment or
procedure when you are pregnant, a written note from your doctor or midwife before receiving a prenatal massage is recommended.
A certified prenatal massage therapist will have a special table and pillows designed for your
comfort and the baby’s safety. Since you shouldn’t lie on your back for an extended period of time after the 20th
week, most therapists will have you lie on your side. Experts disagree on the safety of tables designed with a hole
cut out to accommodate your belly, which allows you to lie on your stomach; many believe this causes unnecessary stress to
your lower back. The rest of the massage room will be familiar to anyone who’s received a massage before, decorated
with soft lighting, soothing music, and a warm, extra-padded table for you to lie on. Some therapists use scented candles
or lotions. If these bother your sensitive nose, ask that they be changed to unscented or removed.
A prenatal massage may last anywhere from ten to 60 minutes, depending on your schedule and
discomfort. Your level of dress at the massage is completely up to you and your comfort level. Some women prefer to wear nothing,
while others choose to wear just their underwear, or bra and underwear. You will be covered with a blanket and only those
parts that are being worked on will be uncovered. During the massage, direct and sustained pressure should not be applied
to the area between your ankle bone and heel. Many therapists and reflexologists consider this area to be connected with the
uterus and vagina and it is thought that heavy pressure on this area may induce early labor.
Prenatal massage is usually fine for healthy women during a normal pregnancy. However, women
with any of the following conditions should not have a prenatal massage:
- Heavy discharge (bloody or watery)
- Gestational diabetes
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Unusual pain
- Pre-eclampsia or eclampsia
- High blood pressure
- Morning sickness
- Diarrhea
- Threatened miscarriage
- Early labor
- Placental dysfunction
- Infectious disease
- Thrombophlebitis
- Skin irritation and/or discharge
- Any high-risk pregnancy
Other prenatal massage therapy safety tips include:
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Never lie on your back for a massage after the 20th week of pregnancy
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Never massage open sores, areas where you have a rash, over raised or distended varicose veins,
or near any site of infection
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Communicate with your therapist if you experience any discomfort.
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