How we provide a safe pregnancy massage.
When you first discover you’re pregnant, particularly for the first time, it can be very scary as well as exciting. Now, there’s more than just yourself to think about and protect – your baby is in its crucial stages of development.
As many people will tell you, it is really important to stay calm, happy, relaxed and stress-free, but yep, that’s easier said than done. One way you can achieve this is to educate yourself on the harmful things to avoid, although this is ever-changing there are a few highly recommended top tips to be aware of…
Bacteria, simply try to avoid bacteria prone foods, wash salads and veg, cook thoroughly and buy from good sources
Alcohol, drugs, excess caffeine
Overheating in baths, saunas
Contact sports
Changing cat litter.
Not on the list and ideal for managing stress, anxiety, aches and pains,
is having a massage.
Contrary to some belief or concerns there is no research to suggest massage is harmful for you or the baby during pregnancy. There are many benefits to seeing a well qualified pregnancy massage specialist, such as:
Proven to ease anxiety, stress and depression, improving the internal environment for your baby by minimising excess stress hormones
Helping tightness in glutes, hips and thighs which can contribute to pelvic pain
Easing back pain caused by increasing bump load and change in posture
Providing relief using taping strategies
Improving lymphatic drainage / joint swelling
Helping your body adapt to pregnancy over the coming months
Preventing and treating aches and pains and common injuries
Easing symptoms of pregnancy nausea and sickness
And here is a big one, massage has been shown to reduce labour times!
There are a few things we consider to make a pregnancy massage safe and effective that well qualified therapists will adhere to and these include:
A specialist pregnancy pillow to allow front lying with a hole for the bump but most will do side lying positions and semi-supine (reclined on back)
Making sure you are comfortable, using extra towels, pillows and cushions to give you the best level of comfort
Awareness of pressure points, such as certain pressure points known to help with labour and therefore we have the knowledge to avoid excess pressure here if not required
Awareness of conditions related to pregnancy such as preeclampsia, high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, pelvic pain, previous pregnancies etc which all help to determine type of treatment
Knowledge of pregnancy hormonal and physical changes and the effect on the body
Management of stress and depression in pregnancy and postnatal care
A range of techniques to help in a variety of situations including bump support tape, pelvic pain, massage techniques
Knowledge and help with exercise throughout pregnancy and post-natal recovery
Nutritional knowledge and support throughout pregnancy and postpartum
Referral links to experts in fields such as pilates, yoga, nutrition and physiotherapy.
It is important to acknowledge that a pregnant body is a strong body, it is doing remarkable work and doesn’t need to be wrapped up in cotton wool. But it is also important to be aware that it is a special and different time for the human body and therefore it is essential to get the right care and advice to best help you throughout pregnancy and/or recovery postpartum.
For expert therapists in fertility, pregnancy and postnatal care, contact us today to arrange a session for you or your partner.
