Pregnancy Massage can be of enormous benefit not to the mother but also to the unborn baby. It emotionally and physiologically supports a woman during a time when her body is undergoing many changes and can help prepare her body for birth.
Pregnancy is a wonderful time for a woman, but with the joys of a new baby’s development, comes many changes to the mothers’ body, putting pressure on joints, ligaments and organs often causing discomfort and pain.
There is ample evidence which support the tremendous benefits of pregnancy massage. It can help alleviate aches and pains and other common health problems associated with pregnancy. Preparing for the arrival of a new baby brings much excitement, but also plenty of stress. Massage can help to reduce stress levels due to it’s calming effect.
Further more, research shows that the baby can benefit greatly from massage as ‘feel good’ endorphins released by the mother during massage are past onto the baby. Quite often the therapist will feel the baby kick and move as it too responds to the massage treatment.
Receiving regular massage whilst pregnant can make the mother more aware of her own body. This can help with the ability to relax during the 1st stage of labour often resulting in shorter and easier births, less pain and a lower rate of postnatal complications (e.g. fewer premature births) Further more it can lead to increased breast feeding success due to the increased prolactin and mammary development.
Benefits of Pregnancy Massage
- Stimulation of the circulation- this will distribute essential nutrients and fluid to all the vital organs of the body, especially the placenta, which will feed and aid the development of the baby.
- Lymphatic drainage- Eliminates toxins from the cells and the blood and helps reduce oedema.
- Sluggish bowel movement is aided helping to avoid constipation and haemorrhoids.
- Releases muscular tension of the upper back, shoulders, lower back and hips, easing the discomfort of sciatica.
- Releases compression on the nerves caused by muscle tension oedema.
- Helps to avoid varicose veins from developing.
- Massaging the intercostals and pectoral muscles will help the respiratory system and aid breathing during the pregnancy and birth.
- Massaging the intercostals and pectoral muscles will help the respiratory system and aid breathing during the pregnancy and birth.
- Induces deep relaxation and peaceful sleep.
- Helps to reduce emotional stress, anxiety and creates a sense of well-being.
- Helps to lower or keep high blood pressure balanced.
- Massage encourages the release of oxytocin. This is a pain reducing hormone providing vital relief of pain during labour and birth.