The Benefits of Pregnancy Massage: What to Expect
The benefits of pregnancy massage are vast and can have a positive impact on both mind and body for soon to be Mamas. SO many people view massage as a ‘pampering’ activity or a luxury BUT with so many benefits to regular pregnancy massage its time we started viewing it as investing in your health and wellbeing!
What are the benefits of pregnancy massage?
Some of the recorded benefits for mums to be who build regular massage into their antenatal care can include…
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Reduced symptoms of depression
- Reduced tension
- Reduced lower back, hip pain and joint pain
- Reduced leg pain
- Reduced swelling (general oedema) around hands and feet
- Lower heart rate and help you to feel calmer
- Lower blood pressure
- Reduce levels of cortisol in your body
- Increases your feel good hormones including serotonin, endorphins and oxytocin
- Reduces pain when used during the first 2 stages of labour
That’s an impressive list of benefits when it comes to pregnancy massage, right?! Imagine these symptoms being alleviated through something as simple as a regular massage…how amazing would that feel?
To top it off research carried out by T.Field and her specialist research team found that couples who used massage for labour had on average shorter labours by up to 3 hours…mind blowing! (I will do a blog in the near future about massage for labour, the benefits of learning this and adding it as a tool to your birth toolkit so keep your eyes peeled!)
So what can you expect from a pregnancy massage appointment?
Firstly, it is important to ensure the person you use for your pregnancy massage therapy is a fully qualified massage therapist with a pregnancy massage qualification. This will ensure that you and your baby are safe throughout your treatment and you get the full benefits of your massage. I have heard of far too many incidences where mums to be are positioned unsafely for the duration of their treatment, inappropriate massage techniques have been used and consultations regarding their health and pregnancy have not been carried out meaning they are potentially putting themselves and their baby at risk.
Here at Baby & Me Wellbeing I am a qualified Massage Therapist registered with both FEDANT (Federation of Antenatal Educators) and the FHT (Federation of Holistic Therapists, both professional bodies require full and professional training to become a member meaning you are in good hands.
When you book your treatment through my online booking system you will be asked to fill out a consultation form. Once you have booked your appointment with me, you will receive a booking confirmation email confirming the treatment you have booked, time, date and the address of my clinic. A couple days prior to your appointment you will receive a text confirming further information about your appointment and can ask any questions on your mind before coming in. All of my pregnancy massage appointments are held in my home based clinic in Metheringham, Lincoln.
On the day of your appointment I will greet you at the door of my clinic and walk you through to my tranquil therapy space. Once settled we will go through the consultation form you completed on booking to discuss any pre-existing medical conditions, pregnancy health concerns and allergies along with your goal for the session (for example relaxation, pain relief etc), we will then talk through the treatment so you know what to expect and can totally relax into it.
Following your consultation I will leave the room to give you time to use the bathroom, undress and get comfortable on the massage couch and when you are ready I will re-enter and get you fully supported with a bump and hip wedge along with pillows and extra towels for support where needed. I carry out all pregnancy massage treatments is a supported side lying position to ensure your comfort and safety to ensure there is no additional pressure on your uterus and key arteries.
We start with taking a moment to enjoy some deep breaths to release stress and tension before beginning your deeply relaxing, nurturing pregnancy massage treatment.
I will check in with you once the massage has started to ensure the pressure is right and you are comfortable and encourage my clients to let me know if something doesn’t feel quiet right…this is your experience and I want you to get the most from it!
Once we have worked down one side of the body, in your own time we get your turned over and you can continue to enjoy your treatment carried out on the first side on the second side to ensure you feel balanced, grounded and totally amazing!
Once your treatment has finished I will gently wake you and bring your awareness back to the room before washing my hands and letting you have some time to come back to your senses fully, stretch and take a moment in sitting to let everything settle before getting dressed.
Once you are ready I will re-enter the room to check in with you and give you some aftercare advice to ensure you get the most out of your treatment and make any recommendations based on your treatment goals for going forwards.
That feeling you get following a massage is just simply unbeatable! A feeling of such lightness, calmness and contentment that you will want to make sure you experience it regularly!
Here at Baby & Me, I have a range of pregnancy massage options for your treatment from focused back massages to alleviate back pain to longer full body massages for total relaxation, specialist signature treatments addressing key concerns from disrupted sleep to feeling more prepared for birth and even a monthly massage membership (the BEST kind of membership if you ask me!)
So if you have been thinking about adding pregnancy massage to your antenatal care and birth preparation get in touch with your questions or alternatively click HERE to book an appointment.
I can’t wait to see you soon Mama and provide you with the amazing benefits and support that massage brings.
