About Prenatal Massage

Prenatal Massage has many different roles depending on the needs of the expectant mother. It can be as simple as wanting to relax and wind down from everyday stress, or it can be more focused in helping to relieve the common but vexing ailments of pregnancy.
Some of the benefits of massage include:

• Reduced back pain
• Pain relief for muscles and joints
• Improved circulation
• Reduced edema
• Reduced muscle tension and headaches
• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Improved oxygenation of soft tissue and muscles
• Better sleep

Massage can be administered throughout the entire pregnancy. There are several positions conducive to a comfortable prenatal massage; I use the side-lying position with an oversized body-pillow. Not only will you benefit from the massage, but studies have shown that your growing baby will be provided a calm in-utero environment as well as increased nourishment due to increased blood flow.

The changes that take place in a woman’s body during pregnancy are quite life-altering. A common occurrence for many women is the posture shift that accompanies the growing baby. Posture shifts can occur as the baby grows and changes position; expectant mothers may find themselves with terrible mid/low back pain, neck pain and hip pain. Prenatal Massage not only feels good in these painful areas, but can help maintain a healthy posture through increased body-awareness and released tension. Massage can help moms-to-be deal with pregnancy and prepare for the birthing process in many ways. One of the main benefits is that it feels good and offers an environment that allows for relaxation and tension release. Massage can also improve body-awareness, which can help with pain management, birthing positions and relaxation techniques during the labor process. Reduction of stress can work wonders on a body. When mom is stressed, studies have shown that baby feels stress too. My goal is to help mom feel better physically and emotionally, allowing her to focus her energy on the positive and beautiful changes taking place in her life.

I recommend weekly massage throughout the entire pregnancy. Not only will the benefits help maintain a more comfortable pregnancy, but the importance of relaxation and stress reduction can make the overall experience much more enjoyable.