Pregnancy aches and discomfort are common. Your lower back is strained due to the growth and changes in your body. Because your body produces more hormone relaxin, which loosens your ligaments, your hips and pelvis may also be sore. Many women are concerned about the safety of using massage therapy to treat these emotional and physical strains. In general, the answer is yes!
Getting a massage could be an occasional indulgence. The best moment for a massage, though, could be during pregnancy. Numerous advantages of prenatal massage have been demonstrated, including a sense of well-being, increased relaxation, and better sleep.
Let’s dive deeper into why a prenatal massage is safe, effective, and recommended.
What is a prenatal massage?
Prenatal massage focuses on the unique needs of the pregnant mother and is a form of therapeutic bodywork. At the same time, her body experiences the significant changes associated with pregnancy. It improves muscles and joints, boosts circulation, tones up the entire body, and eases both physical and emotional exhaustion. Prenatal massage is a gentle, non-invasive method to help pregnant women feel better, prepare for delivery, and get nourishing emotional support.
Things To Consider When Getting a Prenatal Massage
The American Pregnancy Association states that women can begin getting massages at any point throughout their pregnancy. But many prenatal massage practitioners won’t take on clients until their second trimester. Because the first trimester increases the risk of miscarriage, some massage therapists are concerned that the increased blood flow during a prenatal massage may be dangerous.
The circulatory system is activated during the massage treatment, which may change blood flow. At any stage of your pregnancy, it is advisable to go and see your doctor before getting a prenatal massage if you experience any of the following:
- Untreated high blood pressure that is not under medicine
- High-risk pregnancy issues
- recent surgery or injuries
- recent organ transplant
When choosing a massage therapist, pregnant women should pay attention to the following specifics:
A clean wellness center: Getting sick during pregnancy is simple if you come into touch with bacteria or viruses, so you must choose a hygienic shop.
Prenatal massage certification: Examine the office’s list of services and inquire whether prenatal massage is one of them. To confirm their credentials, you may also seek therapists online by name or license number.
Proper tools and procedures: Spending too much time resting on one’s stomach or back might cause dizziness or elevated blood pressure in a pregnant woman. In prenatal massage facilities, women are frequently asked to lie on their sides with their stomachs resting on cushions or tables with cutouts. Since many essential oils and lotions have analgesic and relaxing characteristics, it’s also crucial that the therapist is aware of which ones are safe to use during pregnancy. Not all are regarded as safe.
In Balance Wellness will ensure you’re at ease and comfortable during your prenatal massage.
Is a prenatal massage safe for the baby?
Your baby can benefit from a massage. Some research shows that massage decreases anxiety and stress in the expecting parent, increasing the likelihood that a baby will be born small or prematurely. Massage is connected with a reduced risk of preterm birth or low birth weight.
Receiving massages may help you take care of yourself, which may also result in a less stressed birth for your child. If massages help you manage your depression, they could also help the baby feel their best from birth because babies of depressed parents typically have higher cortisol levels.
Benefits Of a Prenatal Massage
Prenatal massages can help you feel more at ease and deal with all the significant changes in your life. Pregnancy massages provide several advantages for both you and your unborn baby.
Prenatal massage can help with the following:
1. Relieving pain
Massage therapy may be beneficial if you are experiencing pregnancy-related backaches, overly tight hips, or headaches. Many various forms of discomfort, particularly back and leg pain in pregnant women are reduced by massage.
2. Better Sleep
A massage could make it easier for you to sleep if your pregnancy makes it difficult for you to get a good night’s sleep. Studies have shown that massage can make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep for extended periods. It may be because massage decreases worry and stress, which negatively affects sleep.
3. Decreased anxiety and depression
Research shows that a massage while pregnant helps lessen anxiety and melancholy. Taking care of your mental health throughout pregnancy might help your baby and increase your emotional fitness after giving birth. Making sure you feel well is always vital.
4. Improved Birth Results
Studies have linked massage to more successful pregnancies. By reducing cortisol levels, massage lowers anxiety, which promotes better delivery outcomes.
Pregnant mothers who had massages during their pregnancies had babies who were less likely to be delivered prematurely and with low birth weight. Additionally, they are less agitated and might cry less upon delivery since they have less cortisol.
5. Reduced Chance of Postpartum Depression
Your cortisol levels may remain lower postpartum if you reduce them during pregnancy. According to research, pregnant women who receive prenatal massages are less likely to have postpartum depression.
Precautions For a Prenatal Massage
Pregnancy massages can be very beneficial. Remember to follow a few safety guidelines to protect yourself and your baby.
- Do not compress your belly. One of the most crucial concerns when receiving a massage is physically safeguarding your baby. Any regions of your body where your uterus could be squeezed shouldn’t be massaged by a medical professional. You should also avoid lying on your stomach without putting pressure on it. A doughnut-shaped cushion or a massage table with a pregnancy-specific cutout might help.
- First, consult with your healthcare provider. Always with your doctor before scheduling a massage. They could give you specific advice if your pregnancy is at high risk.
- Confirm Your Pregnancy to Your Provider. If you are pregnant, massage therapists will always modify the treatment. When scheduling your appointment, let them know you are expecting a baby, and then let them know once more when you arrive.
Boost your prenatal health with a prenatal massage
For many pregnant women, massage’s advantages can enhance their prenatal health. Massage therapy may be included in regular prenatal care as an emotional and physical health complement that has been found to improve pregnancy outcomes and maternal health. Contact us today and book an appointment for a prenatal massage!
