Pregnancy Massage
Pregnancy is a beautiful time when with excitement you are waiting for arrival of your baby, but it is also a time of many hormonal and postural changes in your body.
Pregnancy massage is a gentle, relaxing massage that can be used safely throughout the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. It is done in side lying / sitting position with the use of massage lotion or oil and support of extra pillows, towels and bolsters.
Before booking an appointment please contact me for a free over the phone consultation to exclude any possibility of contraindications. If there is a high risk pregnancy you will be required to obtain GP/midwife consent before receiving a massage treatment.
Couple weeks before your labour is due I also offer an appointment for you and your birth partner with advice on active labour, natural pain relief and massage techniques during labour.
Benefits of a Pregnancy Massage
- Massage helps to alleviate muscular discomfort, especially around the back, hips, neck and shoulders.
- Massage boosts the circulation helping to bring vital nutrients and oxygen to the muscles.
- Massage increases blood and lymph flow, which can help increase the elimination of toxins through the circulatory and lymphatic systems, therefore it can help with swollen limbs.
- Massage can help with sluggish digestive system. It can help to assist with the management of digestive complains such as constipation, gas, nausea and indigestion.
- Massage can help reduce headaches and ease sinus congestion.
- Massaging the muscles around upper chest and rib cage can also benefit in the respiratory system and aid restricted breathing.
- By combating tension, fatigue and stress – massage can help with insomnia.
- Massage during pregnancy may reduce stretch marks by aiding skin elasticity.
- Stimulation of the skin during massage helps to release oxytocin hormone – “The love hormone”. Oxytocin helps to progress labour, expel the placenta after birth and promote feelings of attachment and bonding between mother and baby
- Massage also helps to release prolactin hormone, which prepares the body for breast feeding by stimulating milk production.
- Massage reduces the level of cortisol hormone, reducing physiological effects of stress, enhancing wound healing and increasing immunity
- Touch helps to reassure and lessen anxiety levels.
- Massage can enhance your relationship with your body by keeping you connected and in touch with your changing shape.
