As you moms-to-be know, most pregnant women feel discomfort and added stress on their bodies at various points in their pregnancies. That may be why more and more pregnant women are discovering and benefiting from the art of prenatal massage.

       

What is Prenatal Massage?

Massage during pregnancy is therapeutic bodywork which focuses on the special needs of the mother-to-be as her body goes through the dramatic changes of the childbirth experience. Massage therapy enhances the function of muscles and joints, improves circulation and general body tone, and relieves mental and physical fatigue.

Benefits of prenatal massage include:

• emotional support and nurturing touch;
• relaxation and decreased insomnia;
• stress relief on weight-bearing joints, such as ankles, lower back and pelvis;
• neck and back pain relief caused by muscle imbalance and weakness;
• assistance in maintaining proper posture;
• preparing the muscles used during childbirth;
• reduced swelling in hands and feet;
• lessened sciatic pain;
• fewer calf cramps;
• headache and sinus congestion relief.

Is prenatal massage for you?

Massage during pregnancy is usually safe for most mothers. Your massage therapist will want to know if you are having any problems or complications with your pregnancy before you begin. If you are, then your therapist will require approval from your primary health care provider before proceeding with any bodywork. The following are circumstances in which massage should not be performed:

• heavy discharge (watery or bloody)
• diabetes
• contagious illness
• fever
• vomiting
• Malignant Conditions
• Unusual Pain
• Pre-Eclampsia
• High Blood Pressure
• Morining Sickness
• Abdominal Pain
• Diarrhea