Pregnancy Massage

The body of a pregnant woman undergoes a tremendous amount of physical and chemical changes that help keep the body centered and in a place wherein it can easily adapt to the needs of the baby growing inside. While the systems of the mother shift to the care of the unborn child, the mother also undergoes physical and emotional changes that place a lot of stress on both the mother and the child she is carrying. This is the main reason why an expectant mother should always seek regular pre-natal massage care.

Expectant mothers need not worry. Pregnancy massage differs from regular massage. The pre-natal massage is a highly baby friendly method that is specifically tailored for the mother-to-be and her special needs. As a mother-to-be usually experience low back pain, calf cramps, insomnia, and sciatic pain, getting pregnancy massages on a regular basis will help in easing these symptoms. It has been said that massage will help in relaxing the mother so much that when it is time for the baby to come out, regular labor pains doesn't hurt as much as they would normally. This is believed to be due to the muscles of the body being well relaxed and ready to cope with the tremendous stress and pressures that accompany childbirth.

Pre and post natal massage is intended to respond to the changes that occur in pregnant women's bodies, helping them cope with it. Changes in hormone levels, weight gain and the added weight of the baby in-utero result in physical and emotional difficulties along with the joys of expecting. As such, pregnant women often experience head aches and pain in different parts of the body as well as mood changes.

Prenatal Massage

The studies on the effects of massage on pregnant women but as other massage modalities, pre-natal massage fosters a relaxed physical and emotional state in expectant mothers and can help alleviate the following:

• backaches, headaches, shoulder and neck aches that may be caused by muscle tension and shifts in posture to accommodate increasing weight
• pain in the pelvic/hip area
• fatigue and stress
• faulty digestion
• postural distortions from the changing center of gravity
• inadequate blood circulation
• skin inflexibility and stretch marks
• swelling in the arms and legs/cramps
• added stress on weight-bearing joints such as the knees because of the additional weight of babies
• unstable hormone levels that result in anxiety
• insomnia
• depression

Massage Therapy for Depressed Pregnant Women

With particular regard to depressed pregnant women, a study was conducted by the Miami School of Medicine to quantify the effects of twice-weekly, 20-minute prenatal massage therapy on their emotional well-being, the fetal activity of their babies, complications during pregnancy and child birth and complications in the newborn. The measurement of stress hormones in the women's urine samples were used to determine changes in stress levels. Scientifically accepted scales were used to measure changes in depression, anxiety, body pain and complications.

The results of the study confirm that indeed pre-natal massage therapy is "effective for reducing pregnant women's stress hormones, stressful mood states, leg and back pain and for lessening obstetric and post-natal complications, hence improving neonatal outcomes." (Univerersity of Miami Study)

Postpartum Massage Therapy

After the difficulties and physical exertion of childbirth, post natal massage is effective in relaxing fatigued and painful muscles, particularly those in the neck and shoulders. There are also available techniques designed to realign abdominal muscles that have separated during Caesarean Section operation or the distressing pushing stage of normal vaginal child birth. Its relaxation purpose is coupled with helping post partum mothers regain the firmness or elasticity of their muscles as well as proper blood circulation.

http://www.expectantmothersguide.com/library/connecticut/ECTprenatalmassage.htm

http://www.mindbodyandsole.com/prenatal/prenatal.html

http://www.perfectpressure.com/phdi/p1.nsf/supppages/1867?opendocument&part=2

Link to the article on "Pregnancy Massage: Touch for the Mom-To-Be"

Link to the article on "The Homestretch: Easing into Delivery with Perineal Massage"

Link to the article on "Pevic Pain in Pregnancy"