Massage is important for more than just relaxation
A woman’s body experiences significant physical and emotional, as well as hormonal, changes during pregnancy and childbirth. Her body adapts to accommodate extra weight, her organs move to make room for the baby and she feel aches and pains in places she didn’t realise she could feel aches and pains! But as a massage therapist, being able to relieve that pain, even in part, has been an empowering journey for me.
When I was pregnant with my first baby Archer, who was born in December, I realised just how painful pregnancy could be. As I worked through most of the pregnancy, I was constantly on my feet, and it was in the second trimester I began to experience excruciating lower back pain. It was to the point that I was in agony every time my foot hit the floor. Thankfully, I knew of the benefits of massage, and so I quickly sought the assistance of my colleagues to massage and teach me Pilates to relieve the pain. And almost immediately, within two weeks of starting treatment, the pain was bearable and I went on to work until just before Archer was born.
The benefits of massage for a pregnant woman cannot be understated. Numerous scientific studies have shown that prenatal massage can:
- Relieve depression, anxiety, and nervousness caused by hormonal changes
- Increase blood and lymph circulation, which helps to reduce swelling and improves the oxygen supply to the baby
- Relieve muscle discomfort such as cramping, tightening, stiffness and knots
- Reduce pain and encourage relaxation, which can facilitate labour
- Improve muscle and skin tone
- Provide emotional support through nurturing touch
- Promote relaxation and relieve insomnia
- Relieve stress on weight-bearing joints such as lower back, pelvis, and ankles
- Alleviate neck, shoulder, and back pain caused by muscle imbalance
A massage therapist certified in prenatal massage is trained to manipulate those muscles most affected by the physical and emotional changes to help alleviate some of the discomfort, and the relaxation can help ease your emotional rollercoaster.
It is important that a pregnant woman seeks a massage therapist who is trained specifically in pregnancy massage. Because of recommendations to not lie on your back for any length of time after the 20th week of pregnancy, a massage therapist might prop you up on pillows or sit you in a chair to ensure the most comfortable and safe experience.
I also discovered the benefits of meditation during my own pregnancy. Because I had complications with my pregnancy and there was a strong likelihood my husband would be away for work when our son was born (and he was!), I sought the advice of a mindfulness meditation practitioner. She taught me techniques to focus on breathing, calming your thinking and focus on the present moment. Practising mindfulness can help with the following:
- Can increase confidence and decrease fear of childbirth
- Tap into deep inner resources for working with pain
- Provide stress-reducing skills for greater joy and wellbeing
- Teach skills to stay in the present moment, rather than being drawn into worry about the future
- Can help with emotional balance during a time of transition and major change
Pregnant women may not realise they don’t have to put up with aches and pains – there will be enough of that to come! When some of these therapies are combined, we can make the experience for expectant mums much more comfortable and enjoyable.
