Pregnancy massage

Therapeutic massage has been used for centuries to restore naturally body and mind. Just think how a caress can be beneficial to a person.
Every time in history, massage has been employed during pregnancy as well both as a support during labour and birth both as a sort of “language” of communication between mother and infant during the 9 months of expectation.
Indeed, during pregnancy every mother massages unconsciously the baby and she is given massage by the infant as well understanding his needs and desires he conveys with movements and positions.

Importance and benefits of pregnancy massage

Prenatal massage therapy can be a very instrumental ingredient in woman’s wellness as it is proved to be the most successful and natural method to prevent and address different problems without any risk or side effects.
The massage can positively act on many different levels:

- healing: relief from muscle cramps, lumbar pain, spasms, circulatory disorders in the lower legs. Indeed, belly weight can cause a worsening of lumbar hyper-lordosis and consequently backache, a sensation of heaviness in the legs and varicose veins. In this case, massage will relieve pain and improve muscle and joints functions as well as circulation

- antistress: it helps reduce naturally stress and anxiety during pregnancy. The possible risk is being affected by muscles rigidity and consequently by uterine stiffness bringing pregnancy problems like preterm birth

- physical and psychological wellness: thanks to partner’s help, the mother will be able to establish a deep emotional contact with her baby. In this way, the baby will feel protected by the harmonious relationship with them

Among the benefits that prenatal massage may bring, there are relaxation, insomnia and depression reduction, joints relief to better support belly weight, a pleasant neck and back relief both exhausted by the overall weakness and muscles imbalance.
Furthermore, the prenatal massage helps maintaining the right posture, getting the muscles prepared for delivery, reducing swelling of hands and feet and finally soothing headache and breast congestion.

Massage frequency before and after birth

Some doctors advise women against receiving massages during the first trimester of pregnancy because of the great physical and hormonal changes that naturally occur.
Only after the second trimester, when the future mother becomes acquainted with her new condition she will be able to benefit from the massage effects.
Indeed, during this period, the best frequency at sessions is about once a week from 10 minutes to maximum 1 hour.
Only during the third trimester, it will be possible even to double the attendance.

Soon after birth, it is advisable to wait at least 40 days before resuming sessions: indeed during this period, the uterus needs time to heal delivery’s wounds and to revert to its original dimensions and position as well as the intestine that during pregnancy get displaced.
Postpartum massage will help restore the body to its pre-pregnant condition, it will also speed up the recovery by bringing relief to abdominal muscles.

Side effects

Prenatal massage does not bring any particular risk to woman’s health but it is always advisable to consult the doctor before relying on a therapist, especially if you don’t trust enough his expertise.
Anyway, before starting any session, it is necessary to inform the massager about any possible problem you are experiencing during pregnancy.

The main situations in which the massage is not recommended are:

- Loss of blood or water
- Diabetes
- Temperature
- Morning sickness, vomit, diarrhoea
- Dizziness or palpitations
- High blood pressure
- Abdominal pain